Episodes
58
Latest episode
May 2026
Language
EN
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.
APR President and CEO Steve Alexander joins Recycled Content to discuss APR’s testimony before the Office of the United States Trade Representative and how low-priced imports are impacting domestic recyclers. Steve and Kara explore policy solutions, PCR certification, and why global conflict is not a long-term answer for the recycling industry.
In this episode of Recycled Content, host Kara Pochiro sits down with Charles David Mathieu-Poulin, Lead, Office of the CEO, Strategic Projects and Governmental Affairs at Éco Entreprises Québec and Baltej Gill, VP of Data Management and Program Delivery at Circular Materials. As winners of the 2026 APR Recycling Leadership Awards for Outstanding Leadership, they discuss how Canada’s producer responsibility organizations (PROs) are working together to develop national eco-design guidelines, that are aligned with the APR Design® Guide—helping producers navigate recyclability, reduce fragmentation, and improve recycling outcomes across the country.
On this episode of Recycled Content, host Kara Pochiro sits down with Kat Smith, Packaging Associate Manager at Pizza Hut, to discuss the company’s redesigned Wing Bowl, winner of the 2026 APR Recycling Leadership Award for Package Design Innovation. The two dive into Smith’s work leading packaging initiatives at scale and how her team turned a complex recyclability challenge into a practical, system-wide solution, from removing carbon black to balancing operational needs in restaurant settings, and including 10% recycled content. Tune in to learn more about this award-winning innovation developed in partnership with Anchor Packaging and what it signals for the future of foodservice packaging.
Crystal Howe, Vice President of Sustainability and Government Relations at Ice River Sustainable Solutions, joins host Kara Pochiro to discuss her work advancing closed-loop plastics recycling at Blue Mountain Plastics Recycling, the recycling division of Ice River Springs and recipient of the 2026 APR Recycling Leadership Award for Processor of the Year. In this episode, she shares insights on building and operating a closed-loop system, the importance of design and material quality, and the challenges recyclers face in today’s market. Howe also highlights why stronger policy, collaboration, and increased demand for recycled content are critical to the future of plastics recycling.
Dr. Ed Socci, recipient of the 2026 APR Recycling Leadership Award for Outstanding Leadership, joins host Kara Pochiro to reflect on more than three decades in packaging innovation and collaboration. As R&D Director for Packaging Technology Platforms at PepsiCo, Dr. Socci has played an important role in recyclable packaging design, contributing to APR’s Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability, and a wide variety of other significant achievements in the world of sustainability. In this episode, he discusses how his career in packaging began, the collaborations that helped drive key design for recyclability improvements, and why innovation, collaboration, and optimism remain essential to the future of plastics recycling.
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!
In Recycled Content's fourth episode spotlighting APR's Recycling Leadership Award winners, host Kara Pochiro sits down with Dr. Jun Wang, Director of Packing Innovation at Colgate-Palmolive, winner of the Design Innovation Award. Together, they explore how Dr. Wang led the team behind Colgate-Palmolive's innovative mono-material toothpaste tube, which earned APR Design® Recognition and helped shift an entire product category toward recyclability. The two discuss how Colgate turned a long-standing non-recyclable package into one compatible with existing recycling systems, the importance of collaboration across the value chain, and why Colgate chose to share its design publicly to accelerate industry adoption. Interested to hear about what sustainable packaging innovations are coming next for Colgate-Palmolive? Then tune in!
Debra Wilson, Materials R&D Director at Amcor and recipient of the inaugural APR Recycling Leadership Award for Outstanding Leadership, joins Recycled Content host Kara Pochiro to discuss Debra's 33+ years of commitment to plastic standardization activities. The two dive into Debra's influential role in aligning APR Design® Guidance with RecyClass standards, as well as her work with ASTM International and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Debra reflects on her proudest accomplishments during her tenure and the importance of collaboration and involvement across the value chain. Tune in to hear how the plastics recycling industry has evolved over the last 30 years and the continued progress that Debra, APR, and the broader industry are making for a more sustainable future.
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!
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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