Change Cycle

With headlines claiming that only a small fraction of plastic ever gets recycled, it is natural to question: is recycling real, or is it just a persistent myth? In this episode, Christine Yeager breaks down the complex reality behind residential recycling data, waste characterization studies, and the critical distinction between collection rates and true recycling rates. From cardboard and aluminum cans to PET plastics and state deposit return schemes, we unpack what the data says about local infrastructure and market dynamics. Discover how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations are reshaping the circular economy and what steps are necessary to drive meaningful progress across the country.

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Polystyrene often faces immense public scrutiny, but expanding polystyrene recycling requires building robust infrastructure rather than relying on empty slogans. In this episode, host Christine Yeager sits down with Justin Riney, Commercial Sustainability Manager for the Americas at INEOS Styrolution and Chair of the Polystyrene Recycling Alliance, to discuss what it truly takes to shift perception and drive material circularity. Together, they dive into the realities of extended producer responsibility (EPR), the power of narrative-driven industry change, and how collaboration successfully removed expanded polystyrene from problematic plastic lists.

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Navigating modern packaging regulations demands a direct look at practical EPR policy realities. Host Christine Yeager cuts through public skepticism to unpack what is genuinely happening across courtrooms, state agencies, and material recovery facilities. She breaks down the latest legal challenges in Oregon and Colorado, explores Governor Newsom's recent California vetoes, and examines why sorting infrastructure must catch up with aggressive collection goals. You'll gain operational perspective on the delicate balance between private stewardship initiatives and mandatory producer rules. Whether you're tracking state deadlines or balancing packaging investments, this breakdown provides clear clarity for circular strategy.

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Extended Producer Responsibility is sweeping the nation, but packaging rules don't easily translate to used clothes. Host Christine Yeager sits down with Jessica Franken to unpack how modern Textile Recycling Policy collides with a hundred-year-old reuse industry. Jessica leads government affairs for SMART, representing the secondary materials businesses that divert billions of pounds from landfills every year. Together, they break down why domestic markets can't absorb every scrap of donated fabric without thriving international trade channels. You'll discover how taking regulators directly onto sorting facility floors creates lasting policy breakthroughs that theory can't match. Learn what it takes to balance rigorous environmental goals with the practical realities of global supply chains.

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True progress in waste reduction begins when we look beyond the bin and fully commit to sustainable materials management to bridge the systems gap between product design and regional capacity. In this episode, Christine Yeager sits down with Kathryn Walker, the Executive Director of the New York State Center for Sustainable Materials Management based at the university level, to discuss how collaborative leadership can drive a true circular economy. Together, they navigate the complexities of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the evolving landscape of recycling and materials management, and how to lead uncomfortable system-level changes with vulnerability, resilience, and curiosity.

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In this episode of Change Cycle, host Christine Yeager explores how breakthrough university research and student-led innovation are powering the circular economy. Many people assume academic projects stay trapped in labs, but young entrepreneurs are launching startups that win major federal awards and land commercial supply contracts. Christine breaks down the four primary funding models for academic innovation and explains the financial realities of landfill diversion. She also examines why low recycling tipping fees often create a bigger barrier to adoption than the technology itself. Listen in to discover how fresh perspectives from students can help industry leaders overcome cynical ruts and scale real solutions.

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Scaling mixed plastics recycling requires moving past lab experiments into viable commercial operations. In this conversation, host Christine Yeager sits down with Dr. Julie Curley, founder and CEO of EsterCycle, to discuss breaking down complex packaging materials into high-value chemical streams. They explore how low-energy chemical catalyst technology turns hard-to-recycle packaging waste into reliable feedstocks and responsible end markets. Dr. Curley breaks down dense inorganic chemistry into practical operational realities that consumer packaged goods leaders can actually execute. You'll learn what it takes to balance real feedstocks, real offtakes, and realistic cost structures while navigating evolving compliance standards. This episode offers an essential roadmap for sustainability executives seeking progress over perfection in their packaging supply chains.

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Navigating packaging compliance gets tricky when regulatory definitions don't match market realities. Circular economy strategist Christine Yeager tackles the complex role of Chemical Recycling in state Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks. She breaks down why operating capacity matters far more than announced facility projections. You'll learn how specific EPR statutes in California, Oregon, and Colorado treat depolymerization, mass balance accounting, and hazardous waste limits. Christine also highlights how emerging technologies address hard-to-recycle materials without relying on waste-to-fuel shortcuts. If you're building a compliant packaging roadmap under tightening state policies, this tactical breakdown shows you how to turn regulatory friction into strategic clarity.

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Scaling circular economy operations requires turning sustainability strategies into capital expenditures that businesses can actually execute. Host Christine Yeager connects with Brandon Lapsys, CEO of Viably, to unpack what it takes to drive real change in the waste and recycling industry. From investing in talent during economic uncertainty to navigating permitting delays, building sustainable momentum demands focus and discipline. They break down the friction points in establishing responsible end markets for recyclables across North America. Brandon provided practical advice for leading change, including focusing on a few key initiatives at a time, making decisions without trying to please everyone, and staying anchored to the company's vision and mission. Discover how aligning policy, processing technology, and leadership strategy can transform operational friction into a competitive advantage.

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Christine Yeager breaks down extended producer responsibility (EPR) funding models across Colorado, Oregon, and California. While producers pay for full recycling costs in Colorado, only two out of seven states with packaging EPR laws fully fund the system. Christine details the differences between net cost and incremental cost structures to clarify how states reimburse service providers and collection programs. She outlines available fee exemptions and reduction pathways for producers operating private take-back systems. Understanding these state-specific nuances helps CPG leaders optimize compliance budgets and capture available fee offsets.

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