The Indisposable Podcast®

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Unlearning the past to build a circular future Aug 25, 2022

Show notes

GreenBiz Group is a media and events company that’s working to accelerate a just transition to a clean economy. Not only do they do cutting edge journalism at the intersection of business, technology and sustainability, they also organize incredible events – like the Circularity Conference – that bring together business, non-profit and government leaders to learn, network and catalyze new opportunities. They’re also a 2022 Reusies partner and Suz Okie is on the judge’s panel this year. Host Matt Prindiville sits down with Suz and Jon Smieja and discusses pivoting their Circularity conference during the pandemic, key trends (hint: EPR is a big one) and what we need to “unlearn” (siloed systems and the way we consume) in order to make reuse scale.

Resources:

GreenBiz Group
Events at GreenBiz
Upstream’s vlog about Circularity 22
The 3 most impactful circularity trends in 2021 | Greenbiz
Circularity requires collaboration from companies, large and small | Greenbiz
The Indisposable Podcast, Episode #93: Coalition Building in Seattle

Downstream, upstream, in-between: innovating reuse globally Aug 18, 2022

Show notes

Poonam Watine, 2022 Reusies Judge and WEF knowledge expert, is helping curate some exciting new networks and resource hubs to support the scaling of reuse across the globe. Tune in to learn about the Global Plastic Innovation Network, the brand new Reuse Portal, and more – and how all of it hinges on local action to spur global momentum for the new reuse economy.

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The Plastics Pacts: Collaboration to scale a circular economy Aug 11, 2022

Show notes

Global Plastic Pacts bring together stakeholders from across the plastics value chain to work at the ground level to build a new circular economy – one that eliminates unnecessary plastic and emphasizes reuse and refill. This week’s guest Marta Longhurst, Manager of the Plastics Pact Initiative at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMAF) discusses the momentum the Pacts are building and the critical role they play in creating platforms for cross-sector alignment and collaboration.

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Hug a plate: plastic-free solutions for kid friendly dining Aug 04, 2022

Show notes

“At the end of the day, people and the planet are connected,” says Dr. Manasa Mantravadi, “And the lasting impact between the two are not going to be felt by us, but by our children, and our children's children.” In this episode, Brooking Gatewood sits down with Dr. Mantravadi – pediatrician, mother, advocate, 2022 Reusies® Judge, and founder of the stainless steel container company Ahimsa - who set out to change the systems that expose children to harmful plastic food packaging and pollute the planet.

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Putting the “re” in “use” with William McDonough Jul 28, 2022

Show notes

We welcome back the legendary William McDonough, architect and vanguard of the circular economy to The Indisposable Podcast. (He is also returning as a judge and will be presenting at The Reusies this year!). Journey with Bill as he describes how the revelatory intersections of science, art, math, and nature influenced his approach to design, sustainability, and ultimately – a model for the new reuse economy.

Resources:

mcdonough.com
Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things
The Upcycle
Be a Reuser, Not a Consumer: 2021 Indisposable Podcast interview with William McDonough

Making Restaurants More Reusable Jul 21, 2022

Show notes

Hollywood actor & director turned Solutioneer John Charles Meyer is the Executive Director of Plastic Free Restaurants – a new nonprofit that helps restaurants, schools, and other US organizations who want financial and technical assistance to shift from single-use to reuse. Plastic Free Restaurants has already helped keep millions of pieces of plastic out of our waste stream. Listen in to find out how, and how you can help!

Resources:

Plastic Free Restaurants
Find Plastic Free Restaurants Around the US
PPC’s Flip the Script Campaign
Rethink Disposable’s Case Studies & Resources
Recent NPR piece on the impact of PFAS chemicals
Upstream’s Reuse Wins report
Upstream’s Reuse Outreach Playbook
Upstream’s learning hub on Reuse in Food Service
The #SkipTheStuff policy campaign

Coalition Building in Seattle Jul 14, 2022

Show notes

Reuse Seattle is a public-private partnership among the City of Seattle; the city’s major sports and entertainment venues; restaurants and businesses; PR3; and a growing list of new partners. They’re working to create practical solutions and standardized systems to help the city’s businesses and residents move from single-use to reuse – making it accessible, affordable, and convenient for everyone. They’re also one of the most recent to join Upstream’s national network of reuse coalitions. Meet Reuse Seattle’s leaders Stephanie Thomas of Cascadia Consulting and Pat Kaufman of Seattle Public Utilities as they describe the city’s exciting evolution toward reuse for all – and the power of partnerships in getting there.

Resources:

Reuse Seattle
Cascadia Consulting
Seattle Public Utilities
PR3
r.Cup
GoBox
Upstream podcast about PR3: Setting the Standard for Reuse
About Upstream’s Community Coalitions
Celebrating the Visionary Sego Jackson on his Retirement

Bringing back the refillable bottle Jun 30, 2022

Show notes

Caren McNamara of Conscious Container and Matt Swihart of Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery were both inspired by seeing reuse/refill operations in action on their worldwide travels – and wanted to bring these systems to life in the U.S. Now they are pioneering beverage refill in the beer and wine industries. In this week’s episode, they share both the enthusiasm and challenges they have encountered, plus why the economic and environmental benefits make it all worthwhile – especially if we can get a national bottle bill on board.

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What does restorative environmental justice look like? Jun 16, 2022

Show notes

In this special episode honoring Juneteenth, we talk about environmental justice and how the one-way, throw-away, linear economy doesn’t just trash the planet, it destroys lives and communities as well - especially communities of color in sacrifice zones here in the United States and around the globe. Learn insights from two esteemed leaders in the environmental justice movement – Dr. Ana Baptista, Professor at the Milano School of Policy, Management & Environment and Co-Director of the Tishman Environment & Design Center at The New School; and Jose Bravo, Executive Director of the Just Transition Alliance – as they discuss how systemic racism, historical and ongoing, continues to bring the most devastating climate impacts to people of color, what effective allyship looks like, and how reuse fits in as part of a holistic solution to addressing this legacy and bringing restorative justice to frontline communities.

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Plastic, Oceans, & a New Way Forward Jun 08, 2022

Show notes

In celebration of World Oceans Day, host Brooking Gatewood sits down with National Reuse Network member and Director of Programs for Oceanic Global, Cassia Patel, to learn about our oceans and some of the collaborative organizing happening around the world to help protect them. We also talk about Oceanic Global’s exciting Blue Standard certification and training program to help businesses choose ocean-friendly solutions, including ditching plastic!

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