Thompson Hine Podcasts

Regulating Responsibility: The Rise of EPR Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is quickly reshaping how companies approach packaging, waste management, and sustainability. With new state laws emerging across the U.S., established frameworks in Canada, and global models influencing policy, businesses are navigating both complex compliance challenges and new opportunities. In this episode of Environmental L.A.W.S., Tanya Nesbitt sits down with Gareth McDonald, Principal Consultant at Worley Consulting, to break down what EPR really means in practice. They explore: How EPR laws are taking shape across U.S. states Lessons from Canada’s longer track record with EPR Cross-border and global compliance considerations Where EPR policy is headed in the next five years Whether you advise companies, manage sustainability programs, or want a clearer view of the future of product stewardship, this conversation offers practical insights and a forward-looking perspective.

In our latest episode, partner Tanya C. Nesbitt interviews Dr. Jen Wollenberg of Integral Consulting, a leading U.S. science, engineering, and environmental consulting firm, about an emergent contaminant: microplastics. From our tap water and food to consumer products and even the air we breathe, tiny plastic particles have made their way into nearly every corner of our world—and our bodies. Tanya and Dr. Wollenberg examine the science, sources, regulatory landscape, and what the growing presence of microplastics might mean for the manufacturing and consumer goods industries. As the science evolves and public awareness grows, microplastics are increasingly becoming a focal point for litigation, product liability, environmental compliance, and sustainability disclosure. The discussion examines what companies should be thinking about now to stay ahead of the curve as regulatory pressures mount.

1.27.2025_Environmental L..A.W.S. - PFAS Analysis and the Precautionary Principle by Thompson Hine

Preparing for a Second Trump Administration: Reversals, Rescissions and Rollbacks In our latest episode, partner Tanya Nesbitt interviews Nathan Frey, the former Deputy Branch Chief at the White House Office of Management and Budget Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs and the founder and current owner of Regulatory Strategies and Solutions Group, about the upcoming presidential transition. They discuss potential rules and policy positions the president-elect may seek to reverse in his second term, such as the SEC Climate Disclosure Rule. The discussion includes analysis of how the Congressional Review Act may play a role in the creation of the president-elect’s environmental agenda. Other topics include the future of the PFAS CERCLA rule and the president-elect’s energy agenda.

Conversations With ESG Gurus Environmental L.A.W.S. In this episode, Heidi Friedman, a partner in our Environmental and Product Liability Litigation practice groups and co-chair of our ESG Collaborative, hosts a one-on-one conversation with Su Ping Lu, Vice President, Corporate Secretary and General Counsel for ESG and International at Honeywell. Su Ping’s responsibilities weave together SEC compliance, securities offerings, corporate governance, M&A and other corporate transactions, ESG initiatives, ethical frameworks, political law navigation, cybersecurity measures and international counsel. This discussion originally took place as part of our Power Huddle: Inside the Minds of ESG Gurus series. These conversations examine how company executives from various industries are actively paving the way as ESG trendsetters and championing pragmatic ESG strategies to align with business values while building a sustainability framework to advance their company’s ESG goals and practices.