In this episode of All Things STEM, host Dr. Frank Gomez speaks with Susan Keefe, California Director of Beyond Plastics and former Oracle executive, about one of the most misunderstood issues in environmental policy: the belief that plastic recycling works as intended.

After nearly 30 years in the technology sector, Susan shifted her career toward environmental advocacy following a personal reckoning tied to chemical contamination and childhood cancer cases in her hometown of Toms River, New Jersey. That experience led her to examine the connections between plastics, fossil fuels, public health, and corporate accountability.

Throughout the conversation, Susan explains why plastic recycling was never designed to function at scale, how decades of industry messaging shaped public behavior, and what actually happens to plastic once it enters the waste stream. She draws on policy research, waste-tracking investigations, and on-the-ground advocacy to illustrate where systems fail—and where meaningful change can still occur.

Listeners will also hear insights on:

The health risks associated with plastics and their chemical additives

Why “recyclable” labels are often misleading

Gaps in enforcement of California’s plastic reduction laws

Practical steps individuals, communities, and institutions can take now

This episode offers a clear look at the realities behind plastic use and recycling, and challenges listeners to rethink convenience, demand transparency, and consider solutions that protect public health and the environment.

Episode Credits

Produced, edited, and mixed by Monica Alarcon

Hosted by Dr. Frank A. Gomez

Music licensed by Premium Beat