# The Human Driver of Sustainable Manufacturing w/ Mark Remmert

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2023-04-25
- Length: 34m
- Episode: 150
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-04-25-the-human-driver-of-sustainable-manufacturing-w-mark-remmert
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-5a24e347-1afd-47fb-8a6e-81008cf728bd

## Summary

Mark Remmert, CEO of Green Dot Bioplastics, discusses the transition from petroleum-based to plant-based polymers, arguing that sustainability is driven by the human instinct for survival rather than just efficiency. He explains that bioplastics are currently disadvantaged by economies of scale, making them more expensive than petrochemicals, but highlights specific applications like compostable mulch film and fast food packaging where biodegradability offers functional advantages. Remmert notes that while adoption is slow due to patchwork composting infrastructure, recent government initiatives, including a White House report and California mandates, are creating a potential tipping point for the industry.

## Chapters

- [0:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-04-25-the-human-driver-of-sustainable-manufacturing-w-mark-remmert#t=37) Introduction: Mark Remmert and Green Dot Bioplastics
- [3:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-04-25-the-human-driver-of-sustainable-manufacturing-w-mark-remmert#t=195) Defining Sustainable Manufacturing and the Circular Economy
- [6:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-04-25-the-human-driver-of-sustainable-manufacturing-w-mark-remmert#t=392) The Human Drive to Survive as the Core Motivator
- [12:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-04-25-the-human-driver-of-sustainable-manufacturing-w-mark-remmert#t=729) What Bioplastics Are and the Scale Challenge
- [14:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-04-25-the-human-driver-of-sustainable-manufacturing-w-mark-remmert#t=873) Debunking Myths: Cost and Performance of Bioplastics
- [18:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-04-25-the-human-driver-of-sustainable-manufacturing-w-mark-remmert#t=1123) Specific Applications: Mulch Film and Fast Food Waste
- [24:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-04-25-the-human-driver-of-sustainable-manufacturing-w-mark-remmert#t=1499) Government Initiatives and the Path to a Tipping Point
- [29:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-04-25-the-human-driver-of-sustainable-manufacturing-w-mark-remmert#t=1771) Broader Manufacturing Mandates: Zero Waste and PFAS

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Green Dot Bioplastics (company)
- Dow Chemical (company)
- Styron Corporation (company)
- Gorilla 76 (company)
- Industrial Marketing Live (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Race to Replace Plastic: 2026 SF Climate Week](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2026-06-04-the-race-to-replace-plastic-2026-sf-climate-week) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [Alex Blum: $1200 Houses, Plant-based Plastics, Political Activism, and BioFi | Hard Tech Podcast #11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2023-08-20-alex-blum-1200-houses-plant-based-plastics-political-activism-and-biofi-hard-tec) (Hard Tech Podcast)
- [189 - Freedom Packaging's newest President, Tom Hauerstein joins Adam](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-04-18-189-freedom-packagings-newest-president-tom-hauerstein-joins-adam) (People of Packaging)
- [271 - Packaging Today Show - vegan plastics, Amazon no plastic, and plastic in your penis??](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-06-28-271-packaging-today-show-vegan-plastics-amazon-no-plastic-and-plastic-in-your-pe) (People of Packaging)
- [132 - Packaging News Weekly, plastics aren't bad, ReStock hemp paper, investigation into big oil and recycling](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-05-06-132-packaging-news-weekly-plastics-arent-bad-restock-hemp-paper-investigation-in) (People of Packaging)

## Citing this page

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