Get ready to sail the high seas of policy and pollution!

This episode features the amazing Dr. Hannah Dijkstra, a plastic solution researcher, consultant, and communication whiz who has seen the plastic problem from the most remote beach on Earth to the painfully slow United Nations negotiation rooms.Host Joel Tasche and Dr. Dijkstra dive into the high-stakes drama of the UN Global Plastics Treaty, the frustrating tactics used to stall progress, and the heroic innovators working on solutions right now.1. Paradise Lost: The Shocking Reality of Henderson IslandForget paradise; imagine an uninhabited atoll so remote the closest people are "likely on the International Space Station" and it's absolutely smothered in plastic.The Mission: Dr. Dijkstra joined Plastic Odyssey, an organization with a vessel that sails the world doing education and advocacy on a cleanup expedition to Henderson Island.The Haul: Her team of about 13 people removed approximately nine tons of plastic from the beach.The Truth: Scientific studies found the majority of the waste wasn't consumer packaging, but waste of a fishing or maritime origin likely lost at sea or intentionally dumped.The Numbers: They removed a staggering 1,500 buoys and found almost 1,000 PET bottles with waste originating from 20 or more countries.Life at Sea: The vessel is closer to a "hostel" than a five-star resort, constantly rocking and rolling. Dr. Dijkstra confessed seasickness hit hard, and traveling meant days with no land, maybe not even a bird, in sight.2. The UN Plastics Treaty: A Game of Slow Motion PolicyThe global goal is clear: create a legally binding framework to regulate plastic and significantly reduce plastic pollution. The political reality, however, is a grinding bureaucratic battle.The Timeline: The process kicked off with a historic resolution adopted at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) at the end of 2022 which aimed to have a treaty decided upon and adopted within two years.The INC: Negotiation sessions are held by the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC).The 2025 Disaster: The meeting in Geneva in the summer of 2025, which was supposed to be the last, ended in a stalemate. The chair presiding over the process even resigned leaving the two-year deadline firmly abandoned.Next Hurdle (February 2026): The immediate focus is a one-day meeting on February 7th, 2026, to vote for a new chair. The catch? The choice must be by consensus meaning even this step might be delayed, as "delay is also a tactic."3. The Two Camps: Ambition vs. AmbiguityThe negotiations are split between two fiercely opposing coalitions, often debating the difference between words like "must," "should," or "could."4. The Innovators Alliance: Action Over ArgumentsDr. Dijkstra works with the Innovation Alliance for a Global Plastics Treaty, a coalition of innovators, startups, and entrepreneurs founded by Repurpose Global and The Ocean Cleanup.Their Mission: To act as a bridge, giving a voice to innovators in the high-level policy process and reminding negotiators that solutions—from alternative materials to cleanup—are already available.The 2026 Plan (The Atlas): The Alliance plans to create an "atlas", a map to showcase their members' work across the plastic value chain and link it to large-scale reduction targets. This map will connect real-world solutions (like reuse and refill) to reports like the "Towards Ending Plastic Pollution" report to prove that action, and investment, should start immediately.Where Her Heart Is: Dr. Dijkstra's heart remains with the innovators, who are "not taking no for an answer" and finding creative, self-sustaining solutions despite the policy gridlock.Connect with Dr. Hannah Dijkstra:Find the Innovation Alliance at agpt.orgFind Dr. Dijkstra at hannahdijkstra.comLet's manifest a great 2026 for plastic pollution solutions!

What can the waste industry learn from decades of social compliance in global supply chains? Join Joel Tasche and Kate A. Larsen as they explore the journey of improving labor standards, ethical sourcing, and worker dignity: from sweatshops in Asia to waste management facilities today.

Kate shares her experiences on the ground, the toughest dilemmas she has faced, and how collaboration, codes of conduct, and responsible sourcing can create a real impact for workers and communities.

A must-listen for anyone interested in labor rights, sustainability, circular economy, and social impact.

Listen to the full episode and discover how we can make supply chains safer, fairer, and more sustainable.

In dieser Folge sprechen wir über eines der kontroversesten Themen der Circular-Economy-Debatte: chemisches Recycling. Zwischen großen Zukunftsversprechen, harten Realitäten und hitzigen Diskussionen in sozialen Netzwerken schauen wir gemeinsam wissenschaftlich fundiert auf den Status quo.Unser Gast Dr. Alexander Hofmann vom Fraunhofer Institut erklärt:

• Welche Technologien es überhaupt gibt
• Wo die technischen Grenzen liegen
• Warum „mechanisch vs. chemisch“ ein falscher Gegensatz ist
• Welche Rolle Regulatorik, Massenbilanzierung und Rezyklateinsatzquoten in der EU spielen
• Wieso Sortierreste, Multilayer-Folien und E-Waste-Kunststoffe ohne chemische Verfahren kaum zirkulär werden
• Warum mechanisches Recycling immer first choice ist, aber nicht reicht
• Energiebedarf, Ökobilanz und CO₂-Fußabdruck
• Warum Pyrolyse eigentlich keine neue Technologie ist, aber jetzt eine neue Chance bekommt
• Wie realistisch echte „Closed Loops“ wirklich sind

Wenn du verstehen möchtest, wo chemisches Recycling heute steht, was davon Zukunft hat und wo es Grenzen gibt, ist diese Folge für dich.

Summary

In this conversation, Colm Jordan from Indorama Ventures discusses the company's role in PET recycling and the broader implications of plastic waste management. He highlights the importance of circular economy practices, the challenges faced in recycling economics, and the need for effective policies like the plastic treaty. Colm emphasizes the shared responsibility of corporations and society in managing waste and the significance of the informal sector in recycling efforts. He advocates for a balanced approach to sustainability that considers both environmental and social factors.

Takeaways

- Indorama Ventures is a leader in PET production and recycling.

- PET is one of the most recycled plastics globally, but challenges remain.

- The economics of recycling are complex and influenced by market prices.

- Technical limitations exist for using PET in certain products like beer.

- The future of PET packaging is promising with innovations on the horizon.

- Effective plastic treaties must consider both environmental and social impacts.

- Shared responsibility is crucial in addressing waste management issues.

- The informal sector plays a significant role in waste collection and recycling.

- Balancing rights and responsibilities is essential in sustainability discussions.

- Transparency in advocacy and lobbying is vital for effective policy-making.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Indorama Ventures and PET Recycling

02:11 Current State of PET Recycling

05:52 Challenges in Recycling Economics

10:23 Technical Limitations of PET Packaging

15:47 The Future of PET in Packaging and Legislation

19:31 The Role of Extended Producer Responsibility

25:25 Collective Responsibility in Waste Management

26:25 The Role of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

29:34 Transparency and Accountability in Waste Management

30:34 Dignity and Respect in the Informal Sector

33:27 Reimagining EPR for Local Contexts

36:45 Global Inequality and Waste Management

39:59 Externalities and Sustainable Practices

46:12 Advocacy and Transparency in Circular Economy