Ep 22: Plastic Recycling Conference Predictions with Dan Leif
Release Date: 03/01/2023
Recycled Content
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...
info_outline Ep. 37: Exploring the Role of MRFs & the Recycling Journey w/ Eureka Recycling Co-President Miriam HolsingerRecycled Content
Recycled Content host Kara Pochiro and Miriam Holsinger, Co-President and Chief Operating Officer at Eureka Recycling, take you behind the scenes of one of the nation's cleanest Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) to explore their critical role in the recycling supply chain. Miriam shares her expertise on how recyclables are collected, sorted, and processed at MRFs, and explains the technologies used to separate different materials like plastics, aluminum, and glass so they can eventually be made into new products. They dive into some of the challenges MRFs face, common misconceptions...
info_outline Ep. 36: Addressing Additives in Plastics to Improve the Circular Economy w/ Dr. Kara Lavender Law and Dr. Margaret SobkowiczRecycled Content
This month, Recycled Content host, Kara Pochiro, is joined by APR’s Technical Director as a co-host of the pod, Scott Trenor. Kara and Scott welcome authors of the “Untangling the chemical complexity of plastics to improve life cycle outcomes” study, Dr. Kara Lavender Law, Research Professor of Oceanography at Sea Education Association, and Dr. Margaret Sobkowicz, Professor of Plastics Engineering at University of Massachusetts Lowell. The team explores the role of chemical additives used in plastic production and the need for better collaboration across the value chain. With insights...
info_outline Ep. 35: A Circular by Design® Packaging Case Study w/ PakTech Sustainability Officer Gary PankninRecycled Content
On the newest episode of the Recycled Content Podcast, host Kara Pochiro focuses on creating packaging that is Circular by Design® that can be used to manufacture a clean supply of post-consumer recycled resin (PCR). Kara is joined by Gary Panknin, Sustainability Officer and Plastic Materials Procurement Manager at PakTech, a secondary packaging manufacturer based in Eugene, Oregon focused on creating a more sustainable and recyclable friendly future. Kara and Gary discuss the importance of creating packaging that is both aligned with the APR Design® Guide, ensuring it is designed to be...
info_outline Ep. 34: Correcting the Record on Plastic Recycling w/ APR’s Chief Policy Officer Kate BaileyRecycled Content
The Association of Plastic Recyclers’ (APR) Chief Policy Officer, Kate Bailey, joins Recycled Content host Kara Pochiro to focus on battling the misinformation being spread regarding plastic waste and recycling. Kate and Kara break down major headlines and claims regarding the plastic recycling industry that are often aimed at taking down the plastics industry rather than focusing on the benefits of recycling or addressing solutions to improve the system. Want to know how plastic recycling actually works? Want to hear real data points from actual recyclers? Then tune in!
info_outline Ep. 33: Sustainability in the Summer: Tips to Tackle Plastic Waste in the Warmer Months w/ APR’s Technical Director Scott TenorRecycled Content
As we approach the 4th of July, show host Kara Pochiro is joined by APR’s Technical Director, Scott Trenor, to discuss all things recycling in the summertime. The duo talks tips for improving recycling at summer events, along with advice on how manufacturers of summer products, such as sunscreen, can design for recyclability. Their conversation dives into the importance of knowing what can be recycled, and buying products made with recycled content to complete the cycle of recycling. Tune in to hear about their recommendations for having a sustainable summer and encouraging summertime...
info_outline Ep. 32: Design for Recyclability & the Evolution of the APR Design® Recognition Program w/ Rebecca Mick & Ruben NanceRecycled Content
Recycled Content Host and the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) VP of Communications and Public Affairs, Kara Pochiro, is joined this episode by two fellow APR colleagues, Rebecca Mick, Program Director for Film & Packaging Innovation, and Ruben Nance, APR Program Director responsible for the management and growth of APR’s Preferred Design Recognition (PDR) Program. The team discusses the APR Design® Guide , as well as the growth and expansion of the APR Design® Recognition Program over the past year. Tune in to hear how the APR Design® Guide is helping companies find success in...
info_outline Ep 31: Recycle More, Use Less: A conversation with the U.S. Plastics Pact’s Emily Tipaldo.Recycled Content
The Recycled Content Podcast welcomes back Emily Tipaldo, Executive Director of the U.S. Plastics Pact, for a sit-down with show host and VP of Communications & Public Affairs at APR, Kara Pochiro. With the Pact turning four, as well as Earth Day and INC-4 just around the corner, the two discuss the meaning of the current moment in the plastic recycling industry’s efforts to manage material that could otherwise be waste. Kara and Emily highlight the need for both voluntary and mandatory commitments to improve recycling. Tune in to hear about these strategies and the important goals and...
info_outline Ep 30: Getting ready for the Plastic Recycling Conference w/ Maite Quinn & Steve AlexanderRecycled Content
Ahead of the 2024 Plastic Recycling Conference, Recycled Content is back with a new episode hosted by the Association of Plastic Recycler’s (APR) VP of Communications and Public Affairs, Kara Pochiro as she sits down with Steve Alexander, President & CEO of APR, and Maite Quinn, a lead member for Resource Recycling’s Plastic Recycling Conference planning team. Kara, Steve, and Maite discuss the upcoming Plastics Recycling Conference, a gathering of over 2,000 power players in plastics and recycling industries, including key speakers who will discuss the annual plastics recycling study,...
info_outline Ep 29: How Recycling Works at KW Plastics with Stephanie BakerRecycled Content
Host and APR's VP of Communications and Public Affairs, Kara Pochiro, is joined by Stephanie Baker, Director of Market Development for KW Plastics' Recycling Division. Kara and Stephanie discuss how KW got its beginnings from the disposal process for automotive battery casings and has now turned into a closed loop recycling business in Alabama, revitalizing the recycling economy with over 500 employees. The two also focus on the process of creating recycled resin that can be used in common products like shampoo bottles to unconventional items like deodorant sticks. They also talk about KW’s...
info_outlineAs we get ready for this year’s Plastics Recycling Conference, a gathering of over 2000 power players in plastics and recycling industries, the Recycled Content team welcomes back Dan Leif, managing editor at Resource Recycling, Inc. Host Kara Pochiro and Dan discuss hot topics in plastics recycling that will be covered at the conference, including the issues that keynote speaker Monica Medina, Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs at the State Department, will address. Tune in to hear insights from Dan on how to improve plastics recycling to keep up with the times, the latest market trends, and how universities are vital to recruiting the next generation of industry innovators.