Change Cycle

With 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

After 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

Today, 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.

What 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

Why is recycling still broken in the U.S.—even when consumers are trying to do the right thing? The problem isn’t a lack of education or effort. It’s a fragmented system built on inconsistent state laws, conflicting definitions of “recyclable,” and outdated standards that confuse consumers and brands alike.In this deep dive, Christine Yeager explains why blaming consumers misses the mark, how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws in states like California, Oregon, and Colorado are reshaping recycling rules, and why education can only work when the system itself is aligned. From the FTC Green Guides and APR testing standards to the reality of plastics, textiles, and flexible packaging, this conversation reveals what’s really standing in the way of higher recycling rates—and what needs to change to rebuild trust in the system.If you’ve ever wondered why recycling feels so confusing, this episode breaks down the structural issues behind the headlines—and why fixing the system matters more than lecturing consumers.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcast

If you get a little uneasy when you hear the phrase “EPR is operationalizing,” you are not alone. For years, Extended Producer Responsibility has been theoretical, directional, and stuck in legislation. But now, it is finally moving into day-to-day business operations. Launching the second season of the Change Cycle Podcast, Christine Yeager breaks down what operational EPR means for your business and how to deal with it with clarity and strategy. Learn how to proactively manage your data, be comfortable with the discomfort of change, and turn compliance into a strategic advantage.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcast

What does it take to create a reuse economy that actually works, moving beyond pilot projects to community-wide change? We're joined by sustainability leader Carolina Lobel, an industrial engineer who pioneered the modern reuse movement as the first full-time hire at Loop, the reusable packaging platform incubated by TerraCycle. Now working at Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy, Carolina shares the massive systemic challenges and learnings from her work with major brands, including the breakthrough Petaluma Reusable Cup Project, and offers deep insights on consumer behavior change, the power of pre-competitive collaboration, and the importance of embracing change—whether planned or reactive—to build a more sustainable future.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcastWe can use this ad to promote CSY Impact when someone discussed a particular challenge related to EPR - especially in Geoff Inch & Rachel Zerowin's episodes.

Convincing CFOs to invest in sustainability takes more than passion — it requires timing, strategy, and a compelling case for value. In this candid conversation, Misti Hagy, Chief Financial Officer of Fawn Industries, explains how she evaluates proposals, what makes a pitch credible, and why return on investment should be measured beyond dollars to include customer trust, employee impact, and long-term social responsibility. Drawing from her own rise from a Baltimore public-school student to the C-suite, she shares how she’s led major organizational change, balanced family with ambition, mentored women in manufacturing, and transformed “human resources” into true people operations. Listeners will learn what really sways a CFO to say yes to bold ideas, how to build credibility through consistency, and why patience, self-advocacy, and empathy are essential to driving meaningful change inside any organization.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcastWe can use this ad to promote CSY Impact when someone discussed a particular challenge related to EPR - especially in Geoff Inch & Rachel Zerowin's episodes.

The packaging in our food and products may be a normal everyday thing, but it makes up tons of waste around the world. Liz Helm leads the charge in innovating circular alternatives to Styrofoam and single-use plastics as the sustainability manager at TemperPack. In this conversation with Christine Yeager, she explains how focusing on a niche can move the needle of sustainability much faster despite the many challenges along the way. Liz also discusses the right way to handle resistance within your team by being curious and the immense power of doing incremental yet consistent change. This discussion breaks down the necessary mindset and perseverance you need to successfully embed sustainability everywhere you go.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcastWe can use this ad to promote CSY Impact when someone discussed a particular challenge related to EPR - especially in Geoff Inch & Rachel Zerowin's episodes.

Accepting incremental progress doesn’t mean settling—it means building momentum for bigger change. In this episode, Mia Davis, Chief Impact Officer at Ollie and a longtime sustainability leader, shares how she balances intention with action in her work to create safer, more sustainable products. From her early efforts at Beauty Counter and Credo driving industry standards, to leading waste reduction and packaging innovation at Ollie, Mia highlights the power of collective action, transparency, and collaboration across industries. She unpacks the trade-offs behind packaging choices, the challenges of recycled content, and why pushing suppliers and peers together yields results no single brand could achieve alone. With her signature mix of pragmatism and urgency, Mia offers advice for sustainability professionals: embrace incremental wins, but never stop pushing for more.

From neglected waste to a powerful resource for thriving communities, discover how we can harness composting to cultivate a greener future. Join Christine Yeager as she engages in a compelling conversation with Clinton Sander, Marketing Manager at A1 Organics, Colorado's largest commercial compost manufacturer. They delve into the critical importance of diverting hundreds of thousands of tons of organic waste from landfills annually, transforming it into nutrient-rich finished compost. This episode unveils the profound impact of emphasizing the end-use value of compost for soil health, water retention, and carbon sequestration, while also confronting the persistent challenges of contamination. Learn how consistent, transparent sustainability campaigns and a shift in community perception are essential to truly unlock the full potential of organics recycling and build healthier, more resilient environments.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcast

Colorado EPR reporting isn’t just paperwork—it’s your chance to align data, reduce costs, and avoid last-minute panic. This solo episode offers a clear, tactical walkthrough of everything producers need to prepare for the July 31st Colorado EPR submission deadline. Learn how to gather sales data by SKU, align packaging weights, map materials accurately, and understand how Colorado’s reporting categories differ from Oregon’s. With insight into methodology language, fee projections, and long-term strategy, this guide will help you turn compliance into a competitive edge.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcastpodscan_6wlZVydgw5VY29OBwZnW0JnE4oelQnRp

Sustainable supply chains aren’t just the future—they’re the foundation of smarter, more responsible business. In this episode, Christine Yeager sits down with Sushma Kittali-Weidner, VP of Products at Rheaply and a former software engineer turned circularity champion, to explore how AI, digital infrastructure, and intentional design can scale sustainability. From overcoming pilot paralysis and EPR compliance to the role of asset traceability and second-life procurement, this conversation dives deep into the tech, tactics, and team alignment needed to make circular economy principles a living, breathing part of enterprise strategy. Sushma brings clarity to the intersection of automation, AI, and environmental impact—with a toolkit that spans from digital twins to regenerative agriculture.