Pottery is one of our oldest art forms, yet for any beginner, it remains one of the most humbling experiences imaginable. As I’ve spent the last year oscillating between success and the occasional "flumped" clay creation, I’ve realized that mastering the pottery wheel holds a surprising lesson for the future of sustainability.The path to a true circular economy—specifically through the lens of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)—is just as messy, tactile, and unpredictable as working with wet clay. While we are all looking for that "perfect" finished product, the industry is currently in the "kiln" phase: under pressure, developing new standards, and figuring out what actually holds up.Today, we’re going beyond the surface of policy to explore the reality of Responsible End Markets (REM). We’ll break down:The "Kiln" Effect: Why the current state of EPR is a pressure test for recycling chain-of-custody and yield documentation.Navigating the Mess: Insights into the latest regulatory updates in Oregon, California, and beyond—and why compliance isn't a switch, but a dial.Progress Over Perfection: Why releasing our attachment to an "ideal" outcome might be the only way to build a functional, transparent, and resilient recycling system.Whether you’re an industry veteran or just trying to make sense of the latest packaging policies, let’s explore why the process—not just the result—is where the real change happens.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcast
Jun 23
31 min
How 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
Jun 16
33 min
Has 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
Jun 9
23 min
Sustainable 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
May 5
33 min
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
Apr 28
37 min
What 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
Apr 21
47 min
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 [email protected] 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
Apr 14
20 min
What 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.
Mar 17
43 min
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.
Mar 9
31 min
We 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.
Mar 3
38 min
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