We had a blast with this interview at the National Plastics Conference on-site podcast studio, "National Plastics Conference Live." Christine Yeager of CSY Impact dove deep into extended producer responsibility (EPR), her path from Coca-Cola into consulting with Circular Action Alliance, and how/why she started her own consulting firm.

We discussed the complexities inherent within the patchwork of state EPR laws, how producers can engage and not just pay fees, as well as the importance of accurate recycling data to ensure fair fee-setting, given limited data.

It is clear that EPR programs often prioritize curbside recycling despite most recycling being commercial, and emphasize collective industry action and making space for innovative solutions. We both believe that it is essential for the industry to actively engage in the process to ensure more positive outcomes within the EPR system.

Yeager explains her excellent Change Cycle podcast, focused on intentional living and helping sustainability professionals operationalize goals through change management and effective communication. Justin Riney will be on this show on an upcoming episode as well.

Where To Find Christine:

https://www.csyimpact.com/

https://www.csyimpact.com/podcast

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinesyeager/

Other Topics Covered:

Bill Nye the Science Guy article - https://www.csyimpact.com/in-the-news/cheddar-video

Garbology book https://a.co/d/04nGl2nB

National Plastics Conference

https://nationalplasticsconference.org/

Polystyrene Recycling Alliance

https://psrecycling.org/

Redefining Plastics

https://www.redefiningplastics.com/

https://rss.com/podcasts/redefining-plastics-with-justin-riney https://www.instagram.com/redefining_plastics/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-riney-mba-67685940/ https://youtube.com/@redefiningplastics?si=KvG4dTvY1lALbwIm

This is a short one today, but I wanted to give the audience an update on Redefining Plastics, my participation in the National Plastics Conference, and the Polystyrene Recycling Alliance.

You may have noticed that I have been less active on this platform this year as I pull double duty as the chair of the Polystyrene Recycling Alliance. That will change in the 4th quarter of this year as I attempt to get back to weekly uploads of the Redefining Plastics podcast.

We are going to get back to basics and focus on how to make recycle more plastics in North America. This will start with my appearance at the National Plastics Conference (NPC) put on by the PLASTICS Industry Association in Houston from 9/14 to 9/17. I will be serving on a panel and recording (audio only) episodes live in the first podcast studio on-site at the conference.

I am very excited about that and the work we are doing at the Polystyrene Recycling Alliance (PSRA) to expand PS recycling in North America. We have had several big wins, but work is yet to be done.

If you are at NPC, please stop and talk to me. I am really looking forward to being back at a PLASTICS event and seeing new and old friends.

National Plastics Conference

https://nationalplasticsconference.org/

Polystyrene Recycling Alliance

https://psrecycling.org/

Redefining Plastics

https://www.redefiningplastics.com/

https://rss.com/podcasts/redefining-plastics-with-justin-riney https://www.instagram.com/redefining_plastics/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-riney-mba-67685940/ https://youtube.com/@redefiningplastics?si=KvG4dTvY1lALbwIm

Justin Riney welcomes his INEOS Styrolution coworkers Alex Compton and Danielle Maziur to discuss women in the plastics industry, their commercial careers, and how they found plastics after initially pursuing pre-med paths.

They address working in a male-dominated “old boys” environment, trade show dynamics, and whether women feel held to higher standards, emphasizing the importance of supportive colleagues and mentors. The conversation explores how to attract and retain more women through better awareness of non-engineering roles, diverse candidate pools without quota-driven hiring, and stronger mentorship structures despite lean organizations.

They also discuss plastics’ perception problem, the need to differentiate plastics from oil and gas, and the value of human-centered storytelling and education—especially for kids and business students—highlighting plastics’ role across industries, including healthcare during COVID.

Alexandra Compton

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-compton-6a32aa60/

Danielle Maziur

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-maziur-92719842/

Redefining Plastics

https://www.redefiningplastics.com/

https://www.brvind.com/redefining-plastics

https://rss.com/podcasts/redefining-plastics-with-justin-riney https://www.instagram.com/redefining_plastics/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-ryan-%F0%9F%A6%85-77057322a/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-riney-mba-67685940/ https://youtube.com/@redefiningplastics?si=KvG4dTvY1lALbwIm

Host Justin Riney welcomes John Skabardonis, a PhD chemist turned marketer who recently retired from corporate life and now runs Optimist Consulting and writes the Tech Nuggets newsletter.

They discuss how technical experts can better reach non-technical audiences through “scientific storytelling,” doing audience homework, and improving delivery (including Toastmasters) so messages resonate.

The conversation focuses on plastics industry marketing failures, fear marketing (e.g., “BPA-free”), chemophobia, and the need to frame issues in terms of risk rather than jargon. John recounts Bayer/Covestro’s BPA water-bottle controversy, argues human behavior drives problems like pollution and PFAS exposure, critiques microplastics headlines and contamination, and calls for coordinated, grassroots, multi-platform advocacy—also noting the importance of accurate AI data sources. They close with mentions of SPE, mentoring, and how to find Tech Nuggets on LinkedIn.

John Skabardonis

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tech-nuggets-7426792352763056128/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnskabardonis/

Redefining Plastics

https://www.redefiningplastics.com/

https://www.brvind.com/redefining-plastics

https://rss.com/podcasts/redefining-plastics-with-justin-riney https://www.instagram.com/redefining_plastics/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-ryan-%F0%9F%A6%85-77057322a/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-riney-mba-67685940/ https://youtube.com/@redefiningplastics?si=KvG4dTvY1lALbwIm

In the first Redefining Plastics Podcast episode for 2026, host Justin Riney delves into California SB 54, a legislative bill aimed at reducing plastic waste and implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

He discusses the bill’s requirements, including a 30% recycling rate for plastic-covered materials by 2028, and the potential challenges it poses to the packaging industry.

Riney examines the complexities and ambiguities of the bill, highlighting the lack of clear regulations and the unrealistic expectations given the current recycling infrastructure. He also emphasizes the importance of industry engagement and collaboration with policymakers to create practical and effective environmental regulations.

If you are in packaging or government affairs, you will want to check this out.

https://www.packagingdive.com/news/calrecycle-packaging-covered-materials-recycling-rates-sb54/808884/

https://cascadiaconsulting.com/project/sb-54-waste-characterization-study/

https://calrecycle.ca.gov/packaging/packaging-epr/

Redefining Plastics

https://www.redefiningplastics.com/

https://www.brvind.com/redefining-plastics

https://rss.com/podcasts/redefining-plastics-with-justin-riney https://www.instagram.com/redefining_plastics/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-ryan-%F0%9F%A6%85-77057322a/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-riney-mba-67685940/ https://youtube.com/@redefiningplastics?si=KvG4dTvY1lALbwIm

In this episode of the Redefining Plastics Podcast, host Justin Riney discusses the Polystyrene Recycling Alliance (PSRA) with key industry leaders Richard Shaw of AmSty, Joe Grzyb of EFP, and Erin Haas of the PLASTICS Industry Association.

The conversation highlights the successes of the first year of the PSRA and the outlook for year 2 and beyond. The discussion highlights key projects that the PSRA has supported like EPS collection in Colorado with Circular Colorado.

The guests provide insights into the importance of polystyrene, regulatory landscapes like EPR, and advocacy efforts. The episode underscores the collective efforts needed to advance circularity and sustainability in the polystyrene industry, calling for more industry participation and collaboration.

https://www.plasticsindustry.org/

https://amsty.com/

https://www.efppackaging.com/

Redefining Plastics

https://www.redefiningplastics.com/

https://www.brvind.com/redefining-plastics

https://rss.com/podcasts/redefining-plastics-with-justin-riney https://www.instagram.com/redefining_plastics/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-ryan-%F0%9F%A6%85-77057322a/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-riney-mba-67685940/ https://youtube.com/@redefiningplastics?si=KvG4dTvY1lALbwIm

In the milestone 50th episode of the Redefining Plastics Podcast, host Justin Riney reflects on the growth and future direction of the show. He discusses the challenges posed by misinformation on social media, advocating for a strategic approach to engagement.

Riney emphasizes the importance of not engaging with misleading posts to avoid amplifying their reach. He calls for more positive engagement and the need for expanding the conversation beyond industry insiders.

The episode also delves into issues surrounding plastics recycling, the potential of microplastics research, and the need for continued advocacy to protect and improve the industry. Riney appeals for community support to broaden the show's outreach and impact.

Redefining Plastics

https://www.redefiningplastics.com/

https://www.brvind.com/redefining-plastics

https://rss.com/podcasts/redefining-plastics-with-justin-riney https://www.instagram.com/redefining_plastics/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-ryan-%F0%9F%A6%85-77057322a/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-riney-mba-67685940/ https://youtube.com/@redefiningplastics?si=KvG4dTvY1lALbwIm

Do you work in the plastics industry? Are you frustrated with the fear surrounding plastic products?

The best way to combat fear is through communication: with consumers, with regulators, and with legislators. That is what organizations like the EPS Industry Alliance (EPSIA) do for the industry.

In this episode of the Redefining Plastics Podcast, host Justin Riney interviews Walter Reiter from the EPS Industry Alliance (EPSIA). Walter shares his diverse background, from studying biology and law to his extensive experience in litigation, ultimately leading him to his current role at EPSIA.

The discussion delves into the intricacies of the plastic recycling industry, focusing on EPS, its recyclability, and public perceptions. They explore the challenges of extended producer responsibility (EPR), the effectiveness of drop-off recycling programs, and the broader issues of consumption and sustainability. Walter emphasizes the importance of community involvement, proper waste management, and the need for better communication and transparency in the industry.

EPSIA

https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-reiter-ab143316/

https://www.epsindustry.org/

https://www.epsindustry.org/recycling-map

Redefining Plastics

https://www.redefiningplastics.com/

https://www.brvind.com/redefining-plastics

https://rss.com/podcasts/redefining-plastics-with-justin-riney https://www.instagram.com/redefining_plastics/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-ryan-%F0%9F%A6%85-77057322a/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-riney-mba-67685940/ https://youtube.com/@redefiningplastics?si=KvG4dTvY1lALbwIm

What do we do with plastics that cannot be recycled due to their application (ie diapers, small formats, etc.)? Raws has a technology that aims to break down these products at end-of-life.

In this episode of the Redefining Plastics Podcast, host Justin Riney speaks with Camilo Ferro of Raws about innovative technology aimed at making plastics fully biodegradable.

Camilo outlines their patented technology, which transforms plastics back to biomass without leaving microplastics. They discuss the benefits, applications, and testing behind this groundbreaking approach, along with addressing common skepticism and explaining how their solution is both environmentally beneficial and scalable.

Camilo also shares his journey from composting to tackling the plastic waste problem and encourages companies to consider this sustainable approach.

Raws

https://www.linkedin.com/in/camiloaferro/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/raws-tech/

www.rawsamericas.com

Redefining Plastics

https://www.redefiningplastics.com/

https://www.brvind.com/redefining-plastics

https://rss.com/podcasts/redefining-plastics-with-justin-riney https://www.instagram.com/redefining_plastics/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-ryan-%F0%9F%A6%85-77057322a/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-riney-mba-67685940/ https://youtube.com/@redefiningplastics?si=KvG4dTvY1lALbwIm

How do we make plastic recycling work in the United States? Collaboration! In this episode of the Redefining Plastics Podcast, host Justin Riney and co-host Samantha Ryan welcome Adam Hill, co-founder of Brave Industries.

They discuss the inefficiencies of the current recycling system and Brave's revolutionary approach to creating an equitable, sustainable, and efficient recycling market. The podcast includes a segment of 'Two Truths and a Lie' focusing on pop culture, plastics, and news. Adam elaborates on Brave's mission of improving the recycling industry through collaboration, transparency, and equitable capitalism.

The episode emphasizes the importance of building a strong, supportive culture within the industry and the benefits of creating circular recycling models for a more sustainable future.

Brave Industries

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-hill-%F0%9F%A6%85-4b3bbabb/

https://www.brvind.com/

Redefining Plastics

https://www.redefiningplastics.com/

https://www.brvind.com/redefining-plastics

https://rss.com/podcasts/redefining-plastics-with-justin-riney https://www.instagram.com/redefining_plastics/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-ryan-%F0%9F%A6%85-77057322a/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-riney-mba-67685940/ https://youtube.com/@redefiningplastics?si=KvG4dTvY1lALbwIm