In this episode of All Things Circular, host Victoria D'Arcy welcomes David Lawes, Executive Director of Interchange 360, for a fascinating discussion on one of the fastest-growing areas of the circular economy: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and how it's transforming the future of petroleum packaging recycling.
David explains why traditional linear models of ”make, use, dispose” are no longer sustainable and how Extended Producer Responsibility shifts accountability back to producers, requiring companies to take responsibility for the packaging they introduce into the marketplace. Together, they explore how Interchange 360 is helping major petroleum companies navigate increasingly complex state regulations while building systems that keep valuable materials in circulation instead of sending them to landfill.
The conversation dives into the unique challenges of recycling motor oil bottles, antifreeze containers, and other petroleum-related packaging that cannot be processed through traditional curbside recycling because of residual contaminants. David shares how innovative recycling technologies remove residual oil, recover high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and transform used containers into new packaging, creating a true closed-loop circular system.
Victoria and David also discuss the growing investment opportunities surrounding recycling infrastructure, post-consumer recycled plastics, refill systems, and zero-packaging solutions. They examine why the United States has significant room for growth compared to Canada's mature collection programs, what it will take to build the necessary recycling infrastructure, and why collaboration between government, producers, recyclers, and consumers is essential for long-term success.
The episode also explores common misconceptions surrounding recycling, including the myth that recycled materials simply end up in landfill. David explains how rigorous auditing, reporting, and verification requirements under Extended Producer Responsibility programs help ensure collected materials are genuinely recycled and reintroduced into the manufacturing supply chain, increasing transparency and consumer trust.
Whether you're involved in sustainability, recycling, manufacturing, compliance, packaging, reverse logistics, environmental policy, or simply curious about how circular economy principles are being applied to new industries, this episode offers valuable insights into how regulation, innovation, and collaboration are reshaping the future of resource recovery.
Visit our website to learn more:
https://allthingscircular.com
Connect with Victoria D'Arcy:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriadarcy/
Connect with David Lawes:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-lawes/
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Our podcast focuses on:
Circular Economy, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Petroleum Recycling, Packaging Recycling, Circular Business Models, Sustainability, Reverse Logistics, Resource Recovery, Recycling Innovation, Compliance, HDPE Recycling, Post-Consumer Recycled Plastics (PCR), Zero Waste, Waste Management, Environmental Policy, Producer Responsibility, Supply Chain, Business Innovation, Circularity, and more.