Podcast
Change Cycle
Hosted by Christine Yeager · EN
The amount of waste in the world will not go down if consumers and society refuse to make sustainability a key priority. In today’s highly globalized and commercialized world, recycling cannot continue to fail us. The amount of waste that could be recycled, and therefore the carbon emissions that could be avoided, are too large to ignore. We know circularity is not the only solution to climate change and waste, but it is one that can be easily addressed with existing technology and would have a significant impact. If you want to drive sustainable change in your own way without sacrificing profits and long-term strategies, this is the podcast for you.
Welcome to Change Cycle, the show exploring different ways to optimize the shift to the circular economy by embracing that change is cyclical. Tune in to engaging, informative, and thought-provoking conversations focusing on what it takes to drive positive environmental and social impact through revolutionary business actions.
Each episode, discover ways to make the seemingly overwhelming task of driving people and business to take sustainable, regenerative or circular business actions. This information will be useful to every chief sustainability officer who pushes for major changes within their companies, businesses looking to transform their product development and packaging processes, or enterprises facing huge challenges due to implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility Legislation (EPR). Whether you need to optimize your innovation cycle, boost your recycling efforts, or influence your company's CFO to invest in circularity, this podcast offers every tool, resource, and piece of knowledge you need.
With the guidance of leading sustainable experts and thought leaders, discover how to create the right sustainability roadmap that aligns with your business’ growth agenda. Learn how to adjust and refine your goals and priorities to achieve your target revenue while maintaining an environmental approach in your operations. Find out how to remain compliant with EPR through up-to-date innovations anchored in delivering circularity and business results.
This podcast tackles the constant nature of change in the market and the world as a whole, and the right way to handle it. By understanding the best way to experience and absorb all kinds of changes happening today, you can influence and create actual change not just within your business but also in every circle in yo...
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How Colorado’s Packaging EPR Law Became Reality: Lessons In Circular Economy, Sustainability, And Policy Change With Kate Bailey
1w ago00:33:00Tap to summarizeHow do you create lasting change in sustainability when progress feels slow?In this episode, Kate Bailey—one of the key advocates behind Colorado’s landmark packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law—shares hard-earned lessons on advancing the circular economy, influencing public policy, and staying motivated through long-term environmental challenges. From shifting strategies after setbacks to building productive relationships with legislators, Kate reveals why meaningful change rarely comes from a single breakthrough. Instead, it’s the result of thousands of intentional actions that steadily move the needle forward.Whether you're a sustainability professional, policy advocate, business leader, or simply passionate about reducing waste, this conversation offers practical insights on driving impact, navigating change, and rethinking what success looks like in the circular economy.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcast
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Policy Round Up
2w ago00:23:19Tap to summarizeHas the momentum behind Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation slowed down? In this latest Policy Round Up, Christine Yeager returns to Change Cycle to break down the biggest developments from the recent legislative session and what they mean for producers navigating the evolving circular economy landscape.While six states introduced EPR legislation, none of the bills crossed the finish line—a surprising shift after years of rapid policy expansion. But that doesn't mean EPR activity has stalled. From California's finalized SB 54 regulations and Oregon's ongoing legal challenges to Maine's delayed program rollout, significant compliance requirements are already taking shape across seven active EPR states.Christine unpacks key EPR terminology, explains which states are moving into needs assessment phases, and shares why companies can't afford to wait for new legislation before preparing. She also highlights encouraging trends in recycling markets, including recycled polymers reaching price parity—and even discounts—compared to virgin materials, signaling important progress for the circular economy.Whether you're tracking EPR legislation, managing producer compliance, or planning your sustainability strategy, this update delivers the insights you need to stay ahead of the rapidly changing policy landscape.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcast
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Convenience As A Catalyst: How Circular Mom Club Is Disrupting Kid’s Fashion With Vale Siegrist
May 500:33:58Tap to summarizeSustainable innovation often thrives in the "friction zones" that major brands ignore, proving that circular economy models can be built through grit rather than institutional backing. Guest Vale Siegrist, founder of Circular Mom Club, shares her journey of building a baby clothing rental service while balancing a full-time tech career and motherhood. Born from the need for better options than fast fashion and the personal joy of finding purpose during a difficult postpartum period, Vale has created a subscription-based rotating closet for children ages 0 to 4. She offers a transparent look at the operational trade-offs of a solopreneur—from reusing Amazon envelopes to maintain sustainability values to leveraging AI as a "role-play" partner for hard business decisions. By prioritizing convenience and rigorous intentionality, Vale demonstrates that a sustainable system can effectively solve the financial and environmental guilt associated with modern parenting.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcast
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EPR Reporting Deadline May 31: Multi-State Compliance, Eco-Modulation & California's Dual Reports
Apr 2800:37:32Tap to summarizeWith the May 31 deadline fast approaching, EPR Reporting is no longer something producers can afford to delay—or misunderstand. In a recent episode of Change Cycle, Christine Yeager breaks down the rapidly evolving world of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), where shifting regulations, state-by-state nuances, and incomplete guidance are creating a perfect storm of confusion.From Oregon, California, and Colorado to newer programs in Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington, reporting requirements are expanding—and getting more complex. Christine demystifies critical concepts like covered materials, eco-modulation, and source reduction targets, while highlighting what makes California’s dual reporting obligations especially challenging.But here’s the key takeaway: waiting for clarity is a mistake. With bonus incentives on the table in some states—and mandatory participation in others—producers must act now. This teaser dives into what you need to know, what’s still uncertain, and how to start building a smarter, unified approach to EPR Reporting before time runs out.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcast
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From Plastic To Purpose: How Cambio Roasters Is Reinventing K-Cups With Sustainable Aluminum Innovation With Kevin Hartley
Apr 2100:47:52Tap to summarizeWhat does it really take to disrupt a billion-dollar industry built on convenience—and plastic? In this behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Cambio Roasters podcast interview, Kevin Hartley shares how a single idea—replacing plastic K-Cups with infinitely recyclable aluminum—turned into one of the fastest-growing coffee brands in the U.S.But this isn’t just a story about packaging. It’s about living with intention, building a business around the triple bottom line, and taking real financial risks to create meaningful change. From supporting coffee farming families to navigating investor pitches and scaling a sustainability-driven startup, Kevin reveals the hard truths and surprising opportunities behind mission-led entrepreneurship.If you’ve ever wondered whether doing good can actually drive business success, this conversation offers a compelling—and practical—answer.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcast
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April News Round Up: Change Cycle Podcast Returns With Major Policy Insights
Apr 1400:20:57Tap to summarizeAfter a brief two-week pause due to spring break, work travel, and illness, Christine Yeager returns to the Change Cycle Podcast with a packed update on the rapidly evolving world of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and recycling policy.In this episode, Christine previews an exciting upcoming guest lineup featuring leaders from the Association of Plastics Recyclers, innovators in recyclable K-Cups, and voices reshaping fashion reuse—while also inviting listeners to recommend future guests at podcast@csyimpact.com.Beyond the podcast updates, she dives deep into major EPR developments across the U.S., including Oregon’s first curbside expansion in Dallas, new producer portal deadlines across California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington, and emerging compliance requirements shaping the industry. Christine also breaks down legal challenges impacting packaging and textile EPR laws, highlighting ongoing lawsuits and regulatory uncertainty in California, Oregon, and Colorado.From infrastructure investments and rural recycling expansion to market pressures in recycled PET and real-world compliance strategies, this episode offers a timely, actionable look at where EPR policy is headed—and what producers, recyclers, and brands need to do right now to stay ahead.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcast
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Sustainable Industry Actions Without Policy Forcing Them - Interview With Credo Beauty
Mar 1700:43:33Tap to summarizeWhat happens when companies take sustainability seriously—without waiting for regulations to force their hand? In this conversation, host Christine Yeager and Christina Ross from Credo Beauty explore the carbon accounting challenges facing the beauty industry, sharing the company's experience now in its third year of emissions reporting—an effort many brands still avoid. They discuss the realities of working with imperfect data, the emotional and operational cost of sustainability pivots for smaller companies, and why focusing on the biggest impact areas matters more than perfect accuracy.From Scope 3 emissions and ingredient-level traceability to innovations like packaging made from recycled beauty empties, the discussion highlights how mission-driven brands can move the industry forward through collaboration, transparency, and practical action—even without policy pressure.
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Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): How New Recycling Laws Are Reshaping Packaging, Fees, And The Future Of Circularity
Mar 900:31:16Tap to summarizeToday, Christine Yeager dives deep into one of the most transformative forces in the recycling industry: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Christine unpacks how EPR laws across the United States are reshaping packaging design, recycling infrastructure, and brand strategy — turning regulatory pressure into powerful market signals.From rising EPR fees on flexible films like plastic mailers and pet food bags to new definitions of recyclability based on collection access, sorting capability, and responsible end markets, the conversation explores how companies must rethink materials, cost models, and long-term pipeline plans. Drawing on insights from the Plastics Recycling Conference and recent developments such as CalRecycle selecting Land Bell U.S.A. to operate California’s textile EPR program, Christine breaks down what these changes mean for brands nationwide.You’ll learn how EPR fees are influencing packaging lightweighting, material optimization, and national vs. state-specific compliance strategies — and why flexible film recycling, polypropylene cups, and textile recovery programs are becoming strategic battlegrounds in the circular economy.If you’re navigating EPR compliance, sustainable packaging design, or recycling market shifts in 2026 and beyond, this episode delivers critical insights to help you turn regulation into opportunity.
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Maintaining Sustainability In The Pet Industry With Allison Reser Hamburger
Mar 300:38:39Tap to summarizeWe may not think much about our pets' carbon footprint because they are just small and innocent creatures, but they also have a significant collective impact on the health of the planet. Christine Yeager sheds light on how the entire pet industry can make better choices to build a more sustainable future with Allison Reser Hamburger, Director of Sustainability & Innovation at the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC). Together, they discuss what it takes to improve ingredient sourcing and packaging in pet food and products, even if it requires a huge amount of compromise from companies and corporations. Allison also explores how to solve the disconnect between public values and industry actions, often caused by powerful forces like capitalism, materialism, and short-sightedness.
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Durability: Can Extended Producer Responsibility Withstand Legal, Political, And Market Pressure?
Feb 2400:23:36Tap to summarizeWhat happens when circular economy policy meets real-world resistance?In this episode of Change Cycle, Christine Yeager puts extended producer responsibility (EPR) systems through a stress test—examining how they hold up under lawsuits, market volatility, political shifts, and public scrutiny. From California’s refined packaging regulations to Oregon’s ongoing legal challenge, and new EPR bills emerging in Illinois, New York, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin, she unpacks the fast-moving U.S. policy landscape.But durability isn’t just about surviving headlines. Drawing lessons from Germany, France, Belgium, and British Columbia, Christine explores what makes EPR systems financially stable, legally defensible, operationally sound, and adaptable over time. She argues that lasting circular economy progress depends not only on strong funding mechanisms and governance—but on leaders who can navigate controversy and stay committed when the pressure rises.As U.S. EPR policy matures, the real question isn’t whether it will face resistance. It’s whether it’s built to endure it.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcast
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