Recycled Content

Hosted by Association of Plastic Recyclers

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Aug 2026

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About the show

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 27, 202620 min

Ep. 61: La nueva Ley de Economía Circular de México y el 80% de PET con Martha Ricardi

Este año entró en vigor la Ley General de Economía Circular de México, el primer marco nacional obligatorio que establece nuevas reglas sobre cómo se diseñan, producen y recuperan los productos, incluidos los plásticos. En este primer episodio de Recycled Content en español, nuestra anfitriona invitada Jazlin Lopez, Gerente de Comunicaciones Digitales y Membresía para América Latina de APR, conversa con Martha Ricardi Velázquez, Directora de Estrategia para América Latina de APR, sobre lo que esta nueva ley significa para las empresas que operan en México y qué cambios aún son necesarios para lograr que más envases sean realmente reciclables. Martha también habla sobre la sólida tasa de recolección de PET en México y por qué esto coloca al país en una buena posición para alcanzar la meta de recuperar el 80% del PET para 2030. A lo largo de la conversación, también hablan sobre cómo ha crecido el trabajo de APR en México y en toda América Latina durante el último año, incluyendo nuevas alianzas y programas que buscan fortalecer el reciclaje de plásticos y apoyar a la industria en toda la región.

July 29, 202629 min

Ep. 60: Inside the 2024 U.S. Post-Consumer Plastic Recycling Study with Megan Moore

The 2024 U.S. Post-Consumer Plastic Recycling Study found that more than 5.1 billion pounds of plastic were recovered for recycling—but what's the real story behind these numbers? In this episode of Recycled Content, host Kara Pochiro sits down with APR Program Director for PET Packaging Megan Moore to explore what the latest recycling data reveals about the state of the industry and the road ahead. Megan also shares insights from her decades-long career in plastic packaging and highlights the policies and market solutions needed to strengthen demand for recycled materials.

June 24, 202622 min

Ep. 59: How GreenMantra Technologies is Turning Recycled Plastic into Performance

In this episode, Domenic Di Mondo, CEO of GreenMantra Technologies, sits down with Host Kara Pochiro to explore the next frontier of plastics recycling. GreenMantra’s innovation converts recycled plastics into high-performance synthetic waxes that can be used in a variety of products that last 20-50+ years. Domenic explains why no single solution can solve the plastics waste challenge and how allowing ourselves to utilize as many complimentary pathways as possible is key.

May 27, 202629 min

Ep. 58: Inside APR’s USTR Testimony and the Critical State of the US PET Recycling Industry

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.

April 29, 2026Episode 5734 min

Ep. 57: How Canada’s PROs are Driving National Alignment and Shaping the Future of Recycling

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.

April 9, 202624 min

Ep. 56: Inside Pizza Hut’s Award-Winning Recyclable Wing Bowl w/ Kat Smith

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.

March 25, 202621 min

Ep. 55: Policy, Demand, and Closed-Loop Recycling w/ Crystal Howe

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.

March 11, 202630 min

Ep. 54: Recyclable Packaging Design & Industry Collaboration w/ APR Leadership Winner Dr. Ed Socci

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.

October 18, 202223 min

Ep 20: The Truth About Polypropylene Recycling with Denton Plastics

On this episode of Recycled Content, we sit down with APR board member Nicole Janssen, President of Denton Plastics, to discuss all things polypropylene. Host Kara Pochiro and Nicole set the record straight on polypropylene and debunk recent reports that cast doubt about its recyclability. Tune in to hear about how polypropylene is now one of the fastest growing resins to recycle, and an update on legislative efforts by APR and its member companies.

November 16, 202034 min

Ep 8: The 2020 Elections and Plastic Recycling, with APR's DC Advocates Liam Donovan and Anna Burhop

We're back with an excellent interview diving into what the current results of the 2020 election mean for the near future of plastic recycling. Liam Donovan and Anna Burhop, members of APR's DC lobbying team at the Bracewell's Policy Resolution Group, join to discuss the ins and outs of the 2020 election, insights on the Georgia runoffs, and what the results mean for policies and regulations that impact the plastic recycling industry.