In this episode of the No Footprints podcast, hosts Sheldon Young and Jason Moreau discuss sustainability innovations, focusing on alternative proteins and waste management solutions. They explore the advancements in mycoproteins and plant-based products, highlighting Beyond Meat's new plant protein-based sports beverage. The conversation shifts to the Merrell Brothers, a company specializing in beneficial reuse management of biological waste streams. Their innovative approaches to waste management include pioneering a solar thermal pasteurization process. The episode emphasizes the importance of creating valuable products from waste and the potential for municipalities to adopt sustainable practices. 

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction to Sustainability and New Beginnings 

03:59 Innovations in Alternative Proteins 

08:54 Merrell Brothers: Pioneers in Waste Management 

19:47 The Future of Wastewater Treatment 

27:57 Innovative Wastewater Treatment Solutions 

32:50 Harnessing Solar Energy for Sustainability 

37:51 Transforming Waste into Valuable Resources 

41:26 Future Directions in Waste Management 

In this episode of the No Footprints Podcast, Sheldon Young and Jason Moreau discuss various aspects of sustainability, including innovative energy solutions like heat batteries, the evolving role of Chief Sustainability Officers, and key sustainability trends expected to shape 2026. They explore the importance of hyper-local sourcing, the rise of energy-positive factories, the shift towards authentic plant-based foods, and the critical need for water stewardship. The conversation emphasizes the challenges faced in sustainability efforts and the importance of real talk about these issues. 

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction to Sustainability Conversations 

00:56 Exploring Heat Battery Technology 

03:56 The Evolving Role of Chief Sustainability Officers 

11:41 Sustainability Trends in Manufacturing 

13:44 Hyper Local Sourcing and Supply Chain Transparency 

18:42 Rise of Energy Positive Factories 

23:42 Optimizing Energy Use in Facilities 

26:40 The Evolution of Plant-Based Foods 

31:31 Water Stewardship and Resource Management 

37:52 Sustainability Real Talk: Acknowledging Challenges 

In this episode of the No Footprints podcast, hosts Sheldon Young and Jason Moreau speak with Shayna Fertig, a senior advisor to the President at the Good Food Institute. The interview covers topics like GFI's mission, the different categories of alternative proteins, and the importance of government support in overcoming industry bottlenecks.

Chapters 

00:00 New Year Reflections and Podcast Goals 

02:45 Sustainability Initiatives and Community Engagement 

05:40 Sustainability Stories and Local Food Solutions 

08:45 Challenges in Lab-Grown Meat Industry 

11:39 Introduction to Shayna Fertig and Alternative Proteins 

14:34 The Role of Alternative Proteins in Climate Solutions 

17:23 Misconceptions About Alternative Proteins 

20:35 Defining Alternative Proteins 

23:35 The Good Food Institute's Mission and Impact 

29:34 Building Ecosystems for Alternative Proteins 

33:48 Funding Bottlenecks and Government Support 

38:17 Trends in Alternative Protein Development 

42:08 Engaging the Public in Alternative Proteins 

In this episode of No Footprints, hosts Sheldon Young and Jason Moreau discuss their favorite moments and insights from the podcast episodes that dropped in 2025.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and introductions02:40 Sustainability poll numbers07:12 Using Lean manufacturing principles for sustainability11:56 Favorite part of doing the podcast15:30 Episode highlights26:23 State vs. federal regulations30:02 Most listened to episode34:04 Unexpected guests42:01 Audience demographics44:07 How to connect and the year ahead

In this episode of the No Footprints podcast, hosts Sheldon Young and Jason Moreau have a conversation with Amanda Oenbring, CEO of the Upcycled Food Association. The conversation delves into the critical issue of food waste globally, highlighting that 30 to 40 percent of food is wasted at various stages of production and usage. Amanda emphasizes the importance of maximizing food utilization and exploring creative solutions for surplus food, including off-spec produce and byproducts that can be repurposed effectively.

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction 

02:00 Buffalo Trace distillery upcycling 

05:45 Dairy emissions to RNG 

08:10 App that helps facilitate food donations 

10:05 Exploring upcycled food with Amanda Oenbring 

16:30 Third-party accreditation and standard definitions 

21:00 What does the next five years look like? 

22:30 How does a company get started looking for upcycling opportunities? 

26:40 How does the organization work? 

29:50 How does homesteading tie into your work with the association? 

31:45 How can people engage with you? 

35:00 Addressing food waste at home 

40:00 Marketing is the problem and solution 

47:30 Closing thoughts on homesteading

In this episode of No Footprints, hosts Sheldon Young and Jason Moreau explore various aspects of sustainability, including innovative techniques for dehydration, tips for a sustainable Thanksgiving, and a detailed discussion on emission scopes. They break down the complexities of scope one, two, three, and four emissions, emphasizing the importance of understanding these categories for effective sustainability practices. The conversation also touches on marketing strategies to communicate sustainability concepts clearly to consumers, highlighting the need for relatable analogies and repetition in messaging.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sustainability and Impact 

02:54 Innovative Dehydration Techniques 

06:07 Sustainable Thanksgiving Tips 

09:05 Understanding Emission Scopes 

11:47 Scope One: Direct Emissions 

14:57 Scope Two: Indirect Emissions 

16:57 Scope Three: Supply Chain Emissions 

19:50 Scope Four: Emissions Avoided 

22:46 Marketing Sustainability and Emission Scopes 

26:50 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode of the No Footprints podcast, hosts Sheldon Young and Jason Moreau explore insights from Climate Week, discussing sustainability initiatives from major corporations, innovative waste management practices, and the importance of community engagement in sustainability efforts. They share interviews with various participants from Climate Week, highlighting the diverse perspectives on sustainability, their goals for the week, and opinions on what they’d like to see from the week. The episode also delves into creative projects aimed at fostering a sustainable future and concludes with “a surprise” question from the event. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Climate Week Insights 

02:59 Sustainability in Big Corporations 

05:45 Waste Management and Composting Practices 

08:47 Interviews from Climate Week 

10:50 The Role of Community in Sustainability 

13:26 The Future of Sustainability Careers 

15:38 Innovative Technologies for Sustainability 

17:49 The Importance of Personal Commitment 

19:23 Creative Projects for a Sustainable Future 

21:59 Final Thoughts and Restaurant Recommendations

In this episode of the No Footprints podcast, hosts Sheldon Young and Jason Moreau discuss the importance of sustainability, urban design, and their experiences at Climate Week. They explore how cities can be redesigned to prioritize people over cars, the role of the food industry in sustainability, and the excitement surrounding Climate Week. The conversation highlights key takeaways from their experiences, including the importance of community engagement and innovative solutions in addressing climate challenges. They also share their reflections on the event and conclude with a light-hearted pizza review from their time in New York City. 

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction to Sustainability Conversations 

01:01 Redesigning Cities for People 

05:19 Sustainability in the Food Industry 

09:19 Anticipating Climate Week 

15:10 Preparing for Climate Week 

22:50 Measuring Success at Climate Week 

25:31 Metrics of Success 

26:27 Reflections on Climate Week 

27:14 Energizing Experiences and Takeaways 

29:34 Diverse Topics at Climate Week 

31:15 Logistical Lessons Learned 

36:14 Networking and Connections 

38:39 Innovative Solutions and Technologies 

41:15 Sustainability Maturity and Complexity 

43:09 Water Challenges and Innovations 

45:26 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

In this episode of the No Footprints podcast, hosts Sheldon Young and Jason Moreau dive into a conversation with Stephanie von Vultee Oliva, the Director of Sustainability at Priority Plastics. She shares insights on making plastic more sustainable and the challenges faced in the industry. The discussion emphasizes the importance of consumer awareness, collaboration, and the journey towards sustainability in manufacturing.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sustainability and Climate Week 

02:46 Recognition of Sustainability Efforts 

05:49 Innovative Water Solutions in Arizona 

08:44 Exploring Plastic Sustainability with Stephanie Von Vultee Oliva 

11:38 The Role of Priority Plastics in Sustainable Packaging 

14:41 Balancing Consumer Demand and Sustainability 

17:27 Greenlight: Making Sustainability Real at Priority Plastics 

28:22 Navigating the Sustainability Journey 

33:30 Practical Steps for Sustainable Practices 

38:37 Consumer Awareness and Education 

41:45 The Importance of Curiosity and Collaboration 

43:58 Closing Thoughts on Sustainability

In this episode, hosts Sheldon Young and Jason Moreau explore the multifaceted nature of sustainability, discussing its implications in various sectors, including agriculture and urban development. They delve into the ongoing debate of profit versus planet, emphasizing that sustainability does not have to be a trade-off. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding trade-offs, the role of organizational culture, and the evolving perspective on ROI in sustainability. They also discuss successful examples of sustainable practices and the impact of regulatory changes on corporate sustainability reporting. The episode concludes with practical steps for implementing sustainability in business. 

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction to Sustainability Conversations 

02:59 The Inefficiency of Beef Production 

05:47 Sustainable Urban Development: The Richmond Baseball Stadium 

08:47 Profit vs. Planet: The Sustainability Dilemma 

11:52 Understanding Trade-offs in Sustainability 

14:44 The Role of Organizational Culture in Sustainability 

17:50 Successful Examples of Sustainable Practices 

20:49 The Evolving Perspective on ROI in Sustainability 

23:52 Regulatory Changes and Their Impact on Sustainability 

26:35 The Future of Sustainability in Business 

29:45 Practical Steps for Implementing Sustainability