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Recycled Content

Where is plastics recycling really headed? Recycled Content, brought to you by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), goes beyond the headlines to unpack what’s driving progress in plastics recycling. Each month, we sit down with industry leaders across the value chain, including brand owners, recyclers, policymakers, and innovators, to discuss the breakthroughs, roadblocks, and market shifts reshaping sustainable packaging. From design for recyclability to EPR laws and emerging technologies, this podcast offers real-world insights and honest conversations for anyone working to close the loop. New episodes drop monthly. Subscribe to stay informed and stay in the loop. Visit plasticsrecycling.org for more information.

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 42: Unraveling the Future of Textile Recovery with Maite Quinn, Marisa Adler, and Beth Forsberg Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

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!

Ep. 41: Traceability and Transparency in Plastics Recycling w/ Bill Robberson of KAMILO, Inc. & Antoinette Smith of Resource Recycling, Inc. Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

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.

Ep. 40: The Business of Recycling: Extended Producer Responsibility and Upcoming Policies w/ Marissa Heffernan, Associate Editor at Resource Recycling, Inc. Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

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!

Ep. 39: Plastics Recycling in 2025: Progress, Priorities, and Possibilities w/ Steve Alexander, President & CEO of APR Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

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!

Ep. 38: Plastic Recycling Challenges and Solutions with Industry Veteran Greg Janson, CEO of Granite Peak Plastics & Triton Ties Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

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

Ep. 37: Exploring the Role of MRFs & the Recycling Journey w/ Eureka Recycling Co-President Miriam Holsinger Nov 08, 2024

Show notes

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 about recycling, and the impact of policy on recycling efforts. Want to know how much of what you put in the bin actually gets recycled? Then tune in!

Ep. 36: Addressing Additives in Plastics to Improve the Circular Economy w/ Dr. Kara Lavender Law and Dr. Margaret Sobkowicz Oct 23, 2024

Show notes

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 into the benefits and uses of additives, the potential environmental impacts, and the challenges faced by manufacturers, this episode sheds light on the path toward a more sustainable and circular plastic economy. Tune into this episode as we unravel the science surrounding plastic use and recycling!

Link to the Study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41578-024-00705-x

More on this topic in Plastics Recycling Update: https://resource-recycling.com/plastics/2024/10/16/group-encourages-public-private-partnership-in-plastics/

Ep. 35: A Circular by Design® Packaging Case Study w/ PakTech Sustainability Officer Gary Panknin Sep 12, 2024

Show notes

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 recyclable, and manufactured with recycled plastics that come from post-consumer sources. Want to hear more about what PakTech and APR are doing to drive a circular economy for plastics? Tune in!

Ep. 34: Correcting the Record on Plastic Recycling w/ APR's Chief Policy Officer Kate Bailey Aug 14, 2024

Show notes

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!

Ep. 33: Sustainability in the Summer: Tips to Tackle Plastic Waste in the Warmer Months w/ APR's Technical Director Scott Tenor Jul 02, 2024

Show notes

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 recycling!

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