Sustainability & circular products
Manufacturing & supply chain
658 episodes across 41 shows cover sustainability & circular products. The shows that cover it most are People of Packaging, EMS@C-LEVEL and How I Built This. The most recent, from 8 Oct 2026, is “The truth about data center water usage” from Catalyst.
Environmental impact of products and production: materials, repairability, recycling, sustainable sourcing.
658 episodes from 41 shows, most relevant and most recent first.
658 episodes
From Make-Use-Throw Away to Circular: Plastics Manufacturing’s Next Chapter w/ Ross Eisenberg
Ross Eisenberg, President of America’s Plastic Makers (the plastics division of the American Chemistry Council), discusses the industry's shift from a linear 'make-use-throw away' model to a circular economy driven by advanced chemical…
#453: Sustainable Material Selection in MedTech with Lucas Pianegonda
Lucas Pianegonda, founder of Gradical, explains that MedTech sustainability is driven by investor pressure, hospital customer demand, competitive FOMO, and EU regulations like the Green Deal. He details how materials and use-phase account…
From Data To Circularity: How Global Electronics Association Pushes Greener Electronics with Kelly Scanlon
Kelly Scanlon, Lead Sustainability Strategist at the Global Electronics Association, discusses the association's 'Evolve Sustainability Program' and its focus on data standards, workforce training, and circularity. She highlights a UN…
236. Cold-Chain Sensing, But Without E-Waste
The hosts discuss a biodegradable smart sensor developed by EPFL, EMPA, and CSEM to monitor cold-chain logistics without generating e-waste. They explain how the chipless, battery-free RFID tag uses printed zinc circuits and plant-based…
316 - Micro plastics are where?!? packaging today show special
Hosts discuss a Fizz.org review on microplastics and nanoplastics in packaging, noting that eliminating plastic entirely is currently impossible due to necessary polymer coatings on paper and glass alternatives. They highlight the societal…
The Race to Replace Plastic: 2026 SF Climate Week
Julia Marsh, CEO of Sway, and Molly Morse, CEO of Mango Materials, discuss replacing petroleum-based plastics with seaweed-derived polymers and methane-derived PHA bioplastics. They explain how these materials integrate into existing…
Threading the future of circular fashion with Peter Majeranowski of Circ
Peter Majeranowski, co-founder and CEO of Circ, explains how his company pivoted from a failed biofuel startup to pioneering the chemical recycling of polycotton textiles. He details the hydrothermal process that separates cotton and…
The Onio Batteryless Vision with Kjetil Meisal
Kjetil Meisal, CEO and co-founder of Norwegian semiconductor startup ONiO, discusses the ONiO.zero, a batteryless microcontroller powered by ambient energy harvesting. He explains the chip's custom RISC-V architecture, multi-protocol 2.4…
291 - Plastic and Styrofoam were everywhere on Burlington Island!
Adam Peek joins Spearhead Project Earth volunteers Patricia, Captain Jared, Dave Baboula, and David Afflebaum for a cleanup of Burlington Island in the Delaware River, where they have removed over 15,000 lbs of trash. The group discusses…
280 - Plastic Pacts?!? We have the new CEO of the US Plastics Pact on the show!
Jonathan Quinn, CEO of the US Plastics Pact, joins the show to discuss the organization's Roadmap 2.0 and its mission to enable a circular economy for plastics by uniting the entire value chain, from producers to consumers. Quinn explains…
Four Pillars of Sustainability for Manufacturers w/ Dakota Malone
Dakota Malone, Managing Partner of Community Solar Authority, outlines four pillars of sustainability—human, social, business, and environmental—arguing that manufacturing leaders must view sustainability as a holistic transformation…
Episode 145: Robotics and automation in manufacturing - Agata Suwala
Agata Suwala, a Technology Manager at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), discusses leveraging robotics to make manufacturing systems more sustainable, particularly in the aerospace sector. She explains how automation is…
Episode 111: Robots for climate action - Patrick Meier
Patrick Meier, founder of the Climate Robotics Network and leader of the UK FCDO project on Robotics for Global Development, explains how robotics can scale climate action through mitigation and adaptation. He highlights specific…
Fixing the messy voluntary carbon market
Ryan Orbuch, partner at Lowercarbon Capital, argues that the voluntary carbon market is fixable by shifting from pre-issued avoidance credits to ex-post paid carbon removal credits. He explains that the old system’s bad incentives led to…
276 - Ranpak is filling the void with sustainable solutions! David Murgio, CSO
David Murgio, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Ranpak, discusses the company's focus on 100% paper-based sustainable packaging solutions. He explains how Ranpak's paper void fill, wrapping, and cushioning products…
220. How Popcorn Popped an Idea for Sustainable Manufacturing
Hosts Bo and Maxine discuss a Carnegie Mellon University research breakthrough that uses microwave energy to synthesize MXene ceramics in 90 minutes, reducing energy consumption by 75% compared to the traditional 40-hour furnace process…
2025 trends: aerosols, oil demand, and carbon removal
Nat Bullard, co-founder of Halcyon and former BloombergNEF executive, joins host Shayle Kann to analyze key trends from his 2025 annual energy slide deck. They discuss how reduced marine and industrial aerosol emissions have inadvertently…
Where it comes up28:15
AMA: Geoengineering, nuclear, power prices, and more
Shayle Kann and Lara Pierpoint, managing director of Trellis Climate at Prime, discuss the viability of solar radiation management (SRM) startups, noting that while governments should handle stratospheric aerosol injection, venture-backed…
270 - Can plastic packaging be sustainable? Interview with Lisa Huett from Pretium
Lisa Huett, Director of Sustainability at Pretium Packaging, discusses the company's approach to sustainable rigid packaging, emphasizing lifecycle analysis (LCA) and designing for recyclability. She explains how Pretium leverages its…
267 - Do composters really want compostable packaging?!? with Justen Garrity from Veteran Compost
Justen Garrity, founder of Veteran Compost, explains why composting operators are frustrated by the current state of compostable packaging, citing contamination from poor labeling and lack of financial compensation. He discusses the…
129. Burning Paper Bags For Sustainability
Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss research from Penn State where a team led by doctoral candidate Jayatropathy used torrefaction to make paper bags 22 times stronger when wet, allowing for reuse and eventual conversion to biofuel. They…
#011 Season 2: Jason Belaire - IDSA Chair(2021-2022) | Belworld Creative, INC. Talks of living abroad, childhood abuse, empathy, social projects around the world, and sustainability
Jason Belaire, Chair of the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) and founder of Belworld Creative, INC., discusses how his experiences living in Argentina and working in the outdoor industry shaped his sustainable design philosophy…
Bonus Episode: Marine robotics' journey through different lenses
Claire Asher hosts a panel at AUV 2026 featuring Gwyn Griffiths, Daniel Hook, Emma Curtis, Sara Aldhaheri, and Edith-Clare Hall to discuss how marine autonomy is perceived by engineers, end-users, and the next generation. The group debates…
#195 - What Do Health and Sustainability Really Mean to Consumers? | Dana Kim & Sam Kass
Sam Kass, former White House Chef and partner at Acre Ventures, and Dana Kim, founder and CEO of Highlight, discuss how consumers perceive health and sustainability in CPG. Kass explains his work with Plezi to create better-for-you…
329 - Future-Proofing Fresh Food Packaging: UK Lessons on EPR, Food Waste, and Data with Tom Stone (Bakkavor)
Tom Stone, Senior Packaging Development Controller at Bakkavor, explains how the UK’s Plastic Tax and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation are forcing a data-driven approach to fresh food packaging. He details Bakkavor’s…
From Landfills to Eco-Consciousness: Driving Sustainability with Reusable Filter Frames with Mark Dodd, Head of IoT at Woosh
Mark Dodd, Head of IoT at Woosh, explains how his company retrofits existing HVAC systems with a reusable smart filter frame to monitor air quality and reduce landfill waste. The device uses a differential pressure sensor and proprietary…
The fungus among us
Dr. Heidi-Jayne Hawkins, lead author of a new study in Current Biology and research director at Conservation South Africa, explains that mycorrhizal fungi act as an underground extension of plant roots, creating a global carbon pool of…
Volts crossover: Six big energy questions
David Roberts and Shayle Kann discuss six critical energy questions for the next decade, starting with the urban and climate impacts of self-driving cars, noting that while they are electric, they may accelerate sprawl and vehicle miles…
253 - Christopher Davidson share about new and exciting sustainable innovations from WestRock
Chris Davidson, Vice President of Sustainability at WestRock, discusses the company's shift toward sustainable packaging solutions, highlighting the CanCollar® paperboard alternative to plastic rings and the EverGrow™ produce container. He…
251 - What is the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership? Michael Dillon from Meyers
Michael Dillon, Chief Revenue Officer at Meyers and board member of the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP), explains how SGP provides rigorous auditing and granular sustainability data for the printing industry. He details how…
Bonus Episode: Robotics for Sustainability (ERF 2026)
Claire Asher interviews experts at the European Robotics Forum (ERF) 2026 about robotics for sustainability. Anna Gunker discusses bridging the gap between digitalization and green tech funding. Stafford Suznovsky presents Sea Clear 2, a…
Aligning Sustainability and Profitability in Manufacturing
Lauren Dunford, CEO and Co-Founder of Guidewheel, explains how her FactoryOps platform uses clip-on sensors to provide real-time visibility into machine electricity usage, linking core operational efficiency with sustainability metrics…
Episode 159: Robot sensing and manipulation - Maria Koskinopoulou
Maria Koskinopoulou, an Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt University and co-leader of the ARM²Lab, discusses integrating perception and manipulation in robotics for medical and sustainability applications. She details autonomous…
The food-energy nexus
Dr. Michael Webber, a professor at UT Austin and CTO of Energy Impact Partners, explains the food-energy nexus, noting that while photosynthesis is inefficient (0.3%), it provides robust energy storage. He breaks down the U.S. food…
281 - Google goes plastic free with their packaging
Miguel Arevalo, a member of Google's packaging team, explains Google's transition to plastic-free packaging for its hardware products, detailing the collaboration with Shandong Kylie to develop a lightweight, strong paper material. The…
Meeting ESG Goals with Smart Buildings | Microshare's Michael Moran | Internet of Things Podcast
Michael Moran, CMO and Chief Risk and Sustainability Officer at MicroShare, discusses how smart building technologies enable companies to meet ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals. He explains that MicroShare’s platform uses…
Pure Gold Series: How to Fight Climate Change as an Emerging Brand with Seth Goldman
Seth Goldman, co-founder of Honest Tea and CEO of Eat the Change, discusses how emerging CPG brands can drive climate action through specific, verifiable commitments rather than vague marketing. He details Eat the Change’s five…
Software-Defined IoT and Sustainable Design | MicroEJ's Semir Haddad | Internet of Things Podcast
Semir Haddad, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at MicroEJ, explains the concept of software-defined IoT, where devices are treated as flexible software products rather than static hardware. He details how MicroEJ's MICROEJ VEE container…
258 - What magic happens when How2Recycle and Specright meet?!?
Adam Armstrong, VP of Customer Success and Strategic Partnerships at Specright, and Paul Nowak, Executive Director of Green Blue, discuss a new collaboration between their organizations to streamline sustainable packaging data management…
255 - Greenwashing 🤮 with Evelio Mattos
Host Evelio Mattos and guest Adam Peek discuss the complexities of sustainable packaging, focusing on the legal and practical risks of greenwashing and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations. They analyze specific product…
131: Why Doing Good with Your Hardware Product Matters
Jos Harrison, Global Head of Design and Brand Experience at Reckitt, explains how hardware startups can integrate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles to build brand trust and longevity. He argues that startups have an…
210. Origami-inspired Concrete Construction
Hosts discuss research by ETH Zurich PhD student Lote Shadabi Bishan on origami-inspired concrete construction that reduces CO2 emissions. They explore how a reusable, foldable mold made of wood and fabric creates strong, vaulted concrete…
Fixing the refrigerant problem
Ian McGavisk, senior advisor at RMI and business development at Transaera, discusses the climate impact of refrigerants, noting that emissions from the sector are comparable to aviation. He explains the transition from ozone-depleting…
Inside Glacier's Mission to Modernize Recycling
Rebecca Hu-Thrams, CEO and co-founder of Glacier, explains how Glacier Robotics builds custom gantry robots to automate material recovery facilities (MURFs), addressing the challenge of sorting diverse, contaminated waste streams with high…
212 -Sustainability using packaging equipment? Josh Becker from Harpak-Ulma LIVE from PACK EXPO
Josh Becker, Bakery and Confection Segment Manager for Harpak-Ulma, discusses how packaging equipment drives sustainability by reducing waste and improving supply chain efficiency. He highlights specific technologies like a vertical bagger…
Reducing Battery Waste with Low-Power IoT | Atmosic's Nick Dutton | Internet of Things Podcast
Nick Dutton, Senior Director for Product Marketing at Atmosic Technologies, explains how focusing on ultra-low power consumption enables energy harvesting, thereby reducing the massive environmental impact of battery waste in IoT. He…
STL287: Should you use exotic wood?
Scott Landis of Greenwood Global and luthier Michael Bashkin discuss the complex ethics and logistics of using tropical hardwoods, specifically mahogany, in woodworking and instrument making. They detail Greenwood's partnership with Taylor…
IDology #10 - The difficulties of sustainability of industrial design
Anita Rogoża and Mikołaj Wiewióra of the industrial design studio Mindsailors discuss the challenges of integrating sustainability into product design, covering strategies like serviceability, mono-materials, and reducing component counts…
206 - The lesser known area of sustainability in packaging
Adam Peak hosts Roz Bandy, VP of Sustainability at TLMI, and Adam Frey, Business Manager of Rolled Products at Wausau Coated Products, to discuss the sustainability challenges of label release liners. They explain that while paper release…
197 - Circularity Day 2 recap with Cory Connors
Cory Connors and Adam Meyers recap Day 2 of the Circularity 2023 conference, highlighting the US Plastics Pact awards presentation to a crowd of 1200 and the innovative 'micro-presentation' format by Johns Manville. They discuss a…