In the third episode of our series highlighting APR’s Recycling Leadership Award winners, host Kara Pochiro is joined by Darren Scholl, the Chief of Operations at KW Container, winner of the PCR Utilization Award. The two highlight KW Container’s work transforming the paint-and-coatings industry by creating fully recyclable paint cans made with recycled plastics and driving demand by consuming over 1 billion pounds of curbside-collected polypropylene in the last 14 years. With more than 30 years of experience in plastics, Darren offers a behind-the-scenes look at KW’s latest innovations, the challenges of scaling recycled content, and what it takes to overcome existing hurdles to create a new design. Tune in to hear how KW Container is proving that recycled plastics don’t just compete with traditional products, they can set a new standard for performance and sustainability.

In this episode of Recycled Content, host Kara Pochiro is joined by Meredith Boyd, Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer at Unifi, to discuss the innovation behind REPREVE®, which received the APR Recycling Technology Innovation Award. Together, they explore how REPREVE® has transformed textile recycling by leveraging multiple sources into different sustainable fibers. Meredith shares insights on the importance of transparency, sustainability, and market diversity in building a true circular economy, as well as why textile recycling is about longevity, rather than “downcycling.” The conversation highlights how policy and mindset shifts drive change, the challenges of the recycling industry, and offers insights into what the future holds for textile recycling. Tune in!

Debra Wilson, Materials R&D Director at Amcor and recipient of the inaugural APR Recycling Leadership Award for Outstanding Leadership, joins Recycled Content host Kara Pochiro to discuss Debra’s 33+ years of commitment to plastic standardization activities. The two dive into Debra’s influential role in aligning APR Design® Guidance with RecyClass standards, as well as her work with ASTM International and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Debra reflects on her proudest accomplishments during her tenure and the importance of collaboration and involvement across the value chain. Tune in to hear how the plastics recycling industry has evolved over the last 30 years and the continued progress that Debra, APR, and the broader industry are making for a more sustainable future.  

In this episode of Recycled Content, host Kara Pochiro is joined by Megan Byers, Program Director at the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), and Chris Max, Research Lead in Sustainable Packaging Innovation at Kraft Heinz company. Kara, Megan, and Chris dive into the APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability as APR celebrates 30 years of shaping how brands design packaging with a focus on sustainability and recycling. During the discussion, Megan walks through the evolution of the APR Design® Guide from a simple technical manual to an internationally recognized tool influencing packaging design across the globe, including the latest updates on APR’s expanding ecosystem of recycling support programs. Want to get a real-world look at how Kraft Heinz is using the APR Design® Guide to meet sustainability goals and reengineering packaging for greater recyclability? Then tune in!

To kick off Recycling in Action Month, Recycled Content host Kara Pochiro is joined by Pia Baker, APR’s Director of Marketing and leader of the Recycling in Action initiative. Throughout the month of May, Material Recovery Facilities (MRFS) and recyclers will offer tours for an up-close in-person look at the journey recyclables take from collection, sortation, and transformation. The two deep dive into common and harmful myths about recycling and the thought process behind launching Recycling in Action this year. Want to hear more about how you can get involved in this inaugural initiative and see what it’s like to witness recycling in action for yourself? Then sign up for a tour, tune in, and check out https://plasticsrecycling.org/recycling-in-action/.

In this bonus episode of Recycled Content, guest host and leader in the recycling space, Maite Quinn, President of Re-Colab and Resource Recycling, Inc. interviews Marisa Adler, Senior Consultant at RRS, and Beth Forsberg, Senior VP & Chief Sustainability Officer at Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona, to highlight Resource Recycling’s first-ever Textile Recovery Summit at the Plastics Recycling Conference. The conversation explores the growing importance of textile recovery, the innovative solutions driving circularity in the textile industry, and the role of synthetic fibers in textiles. They also dive into how lessons from plastics recycling can be applied to textiles and the future of recovery technologies. Tune in to hear about exciting new opportunities and initiatives for sustainability in the textile industry, and don’t miss the Textile Recovery Summit from March 24th-26th!

In this second bonus episode ahead of the Plastics Recycling Conference (PRC), guest host and reporter at Resource Recycling, Inc., Antoinette Smith, interviews Bill Robberson, Co-Founder, President and Chief Technology Officer of KAMILO, Inc. Together, they dive into KAMILO’s work in digital tracking and traceability within the recycling industry and how it impacts Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies. Antoinette and Bill also discuss the importance of transparency in supply chains while maintaining confidentiality, and the need for authenticity to drive efficient recycling practices. Want to hear more about how KAMILO’s innovative digital tracking process is impacting the plastic recycling industry? Then tune into this conversation and check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je47im3s9t4.

As the Plastics Recycling Conference (PRC) approaches, Recycled Content host Kara Pochiro is joined by Marissa Heffernan, Associate Editor at Resource Recycling, Inc. They discuss key industry topics, focusing on how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is reshaping recycling by shifting the burden from consumers to producers. With EPR, Bottle Bills, Minimum Recycled Content and other legislation gaining momentum across the U.S., they explore its impact on policy, business, and the future of recycling. Want to hear more sneak peaks on what will be discussed during the PRC? Then tune in!

To kick off 2025, Recycled Content host Kara Pochiro is joined by President & CEO of the Association of Plastic Recyclers, Steve Alexander. The two discuss how 2025 is a pivotal year for sustainability initiatives and APR’s priorities for the year ahead including pushing for policies that drive plastic recycling, emphasizing the importance of creating packaging that is designed for recyclability, and combatting misinformation. The two emphasize the economic impact of postconsumer recycled plastics as well as the pathways to stabilize markets and create a circular economy. As the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference approaches, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

To close out 2024, Greg Janson, President and CEO of Granite Peak Plastics and Triton Ties, joins Recycled Content host Kara Pochiro to discuss the everyday challenges faced by plastic recyclers and explore potential solutions for the industry. Greg highlights the importance of diverse applications for recycled materials, the critical role of long-term contracts in making recycled plastic competitive with virgin and wide-spec plastics, and the need to create strong demand for recycled materials. Kara and Greg dive into Triton Ties more sustainable alternatives to wooden rail ties as well as the company’s emphasis on creating a circular economy that relies on collaboration within the industry. To hear more from a 40-year veteran in the recycling industry and what his thoughts are on how to improve and expand the recycling industry, tune in!

Link to Recycled by Design with Triton Ties video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBzGLDGetZQ