Waterway litter removal isn’t easy—it’s messy, underfunded, and often overlooked. But for Don Bates, founder of Osprey Initiatives and inventor of the Litter Gitter, that’s exactly why it matters. In this episode, we explore how Don has built a mission-driven company that thrives by embracing the suck—transforming neglected urban streams, engaging underserved communities, and revolutionizing recycling in regions where systems are broken or nonexistent. With deep Southern roots and over 25 years of environmental consulting experience, Don shares how passion, persistence, and process are changing the way we tackle litter and drive circular solutions in the places that need them most. From repurposing event waste at the Super Bowl to bringing recycling infrastructure to towns with no curbside pickup, his team is proving that real innovation doesn’t wait for perfect conditions—it builds in spite of them. This is a story about legacy, leadership, and why the hardest problems are often the most worth solving.

Let's dive into the complicated world of recycling in the U.S., where a broken system wastes billions and leaves a gaping hole in our fight for sustainability. In this episode, host Christine Yeager unravels why national recycling rates are stagnant and how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) could revolutionize the industry. We’ll unpack the urgent needs of states like Maryland, Colorado, California, and Oregon, spotlighting the struggles with inconsistent access, outdated facilities, and confusing guidelines. Discover how hefty investments, ranging from millions for upgrades to billions for national system overhauls, could unlock the $70 billion potential of a circular economy, and learn about the game-changing strategies like mandated access, inclusive education, and closed-loop systems that are essential for real change.

In this episode, we discuss Balancing Cost, Competition, and Sustainability.

Balancing cost, competition, and sustainability is a tightrope walk for any industry, especially through the rapidly evolving landscape of extended producer responsibility (EPR). In this episode, Geoffrey Inch, Head of Producer Services at Circular Action Alliance, shares his unique journey and insights on navigating this challenge. We delve into his career, from leading sustainability initiatives at a petrochemical company to his current role at CAA. Geoffrey opens up about influencing change, overcoming obstacles, and embracing a circular economy. Join us as we uncover Geoffrey's lessons learned from experiencing change and his invaluable advice for producers looking to thrive in a more sustainable world.

We 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.

In this episode, we go deep into the definition of EPR. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is the concept of shifting the funding mechanism for dealing with waste away from local governments and onto the companies that produce and sell the package, but what does that really mean? We also dive into "why embrace the change that will need to happen to make EPR successful?"

Discover how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is revolutionizing waste management and fostering a circular economy in this engaging discussion with Christine Yeager. She explains how EPR shifts the funding mechanism of recycling and waste management from local governments directly to the producers and brands responsible for packaging. Christine also sheds light on the essential work of producer responsibility organizations like the Circular Action Alliance in implementing and enforcing EPR laws. Tune in to understand why Christine emphasizes the importance of a strong recycling infrastructure and the necessity of a national perspective to tackle the challenges of localized recycling and improve nationwide recycling performance.

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Creating alignment between corporate functions and business objectives can be a powerful catalyst for growth, and the same holds true for personal evolution. In this episode, Katie Phillips, Director of Human Resources and Marketing at GCS, shares her unique approach to embracing change in both her professional and personal life. Listen next time to hear Katie discuss her strategies for aligning business goals, how she opted to leave the workforce to raise children, her journey to vegetarianism, and her passion for promoting diversity in the construction industry. She talks about “trusting that things will work out,” even in the face of fear. Join us as we explore how Katie Phillips flows through the cycle of change and discovers the rewards of intentional living.

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcast

Listen to our next episode where we talk about Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) - place this at the end of the episode with Katie Phillips

Change is constant, especially in the field of sustainability, making effective change management crucial for success. This episode dives deep into the essential principles of change management for sustainability professionals who aim to drive impactful organizational transitions. Christine Yeager discusses the importance of understanding and leveraging the change curve to guide individuals and teams through these transitions effectively. She explores key change management models, including the PROSCI model and John Kotter's perspective, and emphasizes the critical role of stakeholder engagement, empathy, and agile methodologies in navigating change initiatives. Throughout the episode, Christine shares valuable personal experiences and actionable strategies for implementing change, highlighting the importance of retrospectives, prioritization, and maintaining a clear vision to achieve sustainability goals.

Download Stakeholder Engagement Worksheet - https://www.csyimpact.com/download-stakeholder-eng

Christine and John discussed the circular economy, with John reflecting on the role of personal and systemic responsibility in environmental issues. They considered the importance of recycling, reuse, and sustainable choices, as well as the need to balance personal freedom with systemic change.

Where does personal responsibility end and the need for systemic change begin? That's the captivating question guest John Hite and host Christine Yeager dive into, unpacking the push-and-pull between individual accountability and the demand for broader societal shifts. This isn't your typical "recycle more, use less" lecture; instead, it's a dynamic exploration of how our daily choices ripple outwards, intersecting with the complexities of sustainability and the circular economy. Learn from John's insights on navigating this tricky terrain, from the power of individual action to the necessity of holding organizations and governments accountable. It's a call to think bigger, challenging us to redefine "responsibility" in a world grappling with environmental and social change.

The transition to a sustainable future requires a fundamental shift in our economic systems. This episode dives into the concept of the circular economy and what changes are needed for its success. We explore how the circular economy aims to move away from the traditional linear model of "take-make-dispose" by focusing on reuse and regeneration. A key element in achieving this is extended producer responsibility (EPR), a policy approach that makes producers responsible for the end-of-life management of their products. This episode discusses how EPR drives better recycling practices and contributes to a more sustainable and circular system.

to be used with Episode 2 - asking listeners to tune into episode 3.