Change Cycle

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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Host Christine Yeager connects with Phoebe Tan, Founder and COO of Taelor, to break down how AI and circular fashion are transforming apparel economics. Most rental and resale models fail because reverse logistics and cleaning costs destroy profitability. By leveraging AI styling and tracking garment lifecycle signals, Phoebe built a system where customers only buy what they love while generating rich post-purchase data. You'll learn how Gen Z's shift toward secondhand markets is accelerating double-digit growth for rental models. Discover how continuous operational improvement and data transparency create long-term enterprise value in circular business systems.

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Navigating the evolving regulations of Extended Producer Responsibility shouldn't feel like a guessing game.

Host Christine Yeager breaks down the hard numbers from Oregon's first six-month performance report and the massive, 350-page California program plan.

We look at the actual cash flowing from producers to local infrastructure, alongside the major gap between accrued and invoiced payments.

You'll learn what these early-stage rollout challenges mean for your brand's compliance strategy.

We also cover the recent textile registration deadlines and what you must do next to prepare for incoming source reduction mandates.

It's time to turn regulatory friction into your ultimate operational advantage.

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Making certified compostable packaging work in real-world organic streams takes strategic coordination across the entire circular economy supply chain. Host Christine Yeager connects with Meghan Ibach, Product and Zero Waste Specialist at Eco-Products, to examine how design decisions directly impact downstream composting operations. Meghan sits at the exact point where certified compostable packaging either works or falls apart. She works with compost manufacturers, haulers, and venues to pull non-compostable material out of the stream before it becomes their problem. Together, they explore why food service items make traditional recycling difficult and how compostable options capture critical food waste streams. They also address real-world lessons from regional policy shifts, color-coded bin standardization, and the science of microbial breakdown during the curing phase.

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