MassRecycle Podcast

Episode 55: Designing for Zero Waste: How Space Shapes Behavior

What if spaces were intentionally designed to optimize waste diversion and zero waste practices? In this episode, Gretchen and Waneta talk with Cory Page, landscape designer and alum of the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD). As a student at GSD, Cory noticed that the setup of the waste and recycling system in the main school building was inadequate. Materials such as foam board and aerosol cans, common in the design studios, were not disposed of properly. The placement of trash and recycling bins throughout the building was inefficient. Cory launched a student-led initiative, the GSD Zero Waste Project, to address the issues. Learn how Cory used input from students, educators, and custodial staff, combined with solid design principles, to transform the system into one that effectively handles 15 different waste streams and promotes reuse, recycling, and community stewardship of materials. Thank you to Reworld [https://www.reworldwaste.com/] and The Association of Plastic Recyclers [https://plasticsrecycling.org/] for sponsoring this episode. The post Episode 55: Designing for Zero Waste: How Space Shapes Behavior [https://massrecycle.org/podcast/episode-55-designing-for-zero-waste-how-space-shapes-behavior/] first appeared on MassRecycle [https://massrecycle.org].

Episode 54: The State of Plastics Recycling

Few recyclable materials generate as much skepticism as plastics. In this episode, Gretchen and Waneta welcome Steve Alexander, president and CEO of the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) [https://plasticsrecycling.org/], to paint a clear picture of the current state of plastics recycling. The US recycles 5-7 million pounds of plastic annually, but where does that plastic come from, and what happens to it after it’s recycled? Steve addresses issues such as confusion about what plastics can be recycled, why virgin plastic and imported recycled materials undermine domestic recycled plastic, how designing plastic products for recyclability helps support the circular economy, and much, much more. Thank you to Reworld [https://www.reworldwaste.com/] and Cell Phones for Soldiers [https://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/] for sponsoring this episode. The post Episode 54: The State of Plastics Recycling [https://massrecycle.org/podcast/the-state-of-plastics-recycling/] first appeared on MassRecycle [https://massrecycle.org].

Episode 53: Putting Our Best Foot Forward: Reducing the Environmental Impact of Shoes

Shoes are not just an item of clothing; they are our main form of transportation. In this episode, Gretchen and Waneta welcome Dr. Yuly Fuentes, Project Manager for Fiber Technologies at MIT and Program Director of the MIT Climate Project, to talk about shoes and sustainability. Did you know that over 23 billion pairs of shoes are produced annually across the globe? Or that Massachusetts has long been a nexus for the global shoe industry?  Dr. Fuentes takes us through her work addressing the sustainability issues caused by shoe manufacture and disposal. Her initiatives include The Footwear Collective [https://earthdna.org/home/the-footwear-collective/#], a group of leading footwear brands that collaborates to develop circular solutions for the footwear industry, and DESCIENCE [https://www.fashiondescience.com/], a collaboration between fashion designers and scientists. Listen to learn more about how Dr. Fuentes is working to reduce the environmental footprint of the global shoe industry. Thank you to Reworld [https://www.reworldwaste.com/] and Cell Phones for Soldiers [https://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/] for sponsoring this episode.   The post Episode 53: Putting Our Best Foot Forward: Reducing the Environmental Impact of Shoes [https://massrecycle.org/podcast/episode-53-putting-our-best-foot-forward-reducing-the-environmental-impact-of-shoes/] first appeared on MassRecycle [https://massrecycle.org].

Episode 52: Cell Phones for Soldiers

In this episode, we spotlight Cell Phones for Soldiers, a nonprofit that’s been bridging the digital divide for over 20 years. With 10,000 devices collected monthly from unique sources like MBTA lost and founds, funeral homes, and municipalities, they give forgotten phones a second life – connecting veterans and active-duty military members with vital communication tools. Learn how their R2-certified facility safely refurbishes devices, deletes sensitive data, and supports 1,300 veterans with subsidized phones – aiming to reach 30,000 in the coming years. Discover how you can get involved at cellphonesforsoldiers.com [https://cellphonesforsoldiers.com/] or by emailing Rob@cellphonesforsoldiers.com [Rob@cellphonesforsoldiers.com]. Reuse, reconnect, and make a difference! Sponsored by Cell Phones for Soldiers [https://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/] and Reworld [https://www.reworldwaste.com/]. The post Episode 52: Cell Phones for Soldiers [https://massrecycle.org/podcast/episode-52-cell-phones-for-soldiers/] first appeared on MassRecycle [https://massrecycle.org].

Episode 51: The Hidden Carbon Cost: How Our Stuff Fuels Climate Change—And What We Can Do About It

In this episode of the MassRecycle Podcast, Waneta and Gretchen are joined by MassRecycle Board member and former NEWMOA Executive Director Terri Goldberg and Dave Allaway a senior policy analyst in the Materials Management Program at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Together, they explore the importance of comprehensive, carbon-based emissions inventories—highlighting why we must account for the carbon impact of goods beyond state lines. The conversation emphasizes the need for thorough accounting and actionable solutions, focusing on reducing emissions through smarter purchasing choices and consuming less. This topic coincides with the release of the MassRecycle White Paper, A Call to Action on Materials Management & Climate Change, which will be unveiled at the MassRecycle Conference in March 2025. The post Episode 51: The Hidden Carbon Cost: How Our Stuff Fuels Climate Change—And What We Can Do About It [https://massrecycle.org/podcast/episode-51-the-hidden-carbon-cost-how-our-stuff-fuels-climate-change-and-what-we-can-do-about-it/] first appeared on MassRecycle [https://massrecycle.org].