Redefining Plastics

Justin Riney welcomes his INEOS Styrolution coworkers Alex Compton and Danielle Maziur to discuss women in the plastics industry, their commercial careers, and how they found plastics after initially pursuing pre-med paths. They address working in a male-dominated “old boys” environment, trade show dynamics, and whether women feel held to higher standards, emphasizing the importance of supportive...

Host Justin Riney welcomes John Skabardonis, a PhD chemist turned marketer who recently retired from corporate life and now runs Optimist Consulting and writes the Tech Nuggets newsletter. They discuss how technical experts can better reach non-technical audiences through “scientific storytelling,” doing audience homework, and improving delivery (including Toastmasters) so messages resonate. The c...

In the first Redefining Plastics Podcast episode for 2026, host Justin Riney delves into California SB 54, a legislative bill aimed at reducing plastic waste and implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). He discusses the bill’s requirements, including a 30% recycling rate for plastic-covered materials by 2028, and the potential challenges it poses to the packaging industry. Riney examin...

In this episode of the Redefining Plastics Podcast, host Justin Riney discusses the Polystyrene Recycling Alliance (PSRA) with key industry leaders Richard Shaw of AmSty, Joe Grzyb of EFP, and Erin Haas of the PLASTICS Industry Association. The conversation highlights the successes of the first year of the PSRA and the outlook for year 2 and beyond. The discussion highlights key projects that the...

In the milestone 50th episode of the Redefining Plastics Podcast, host Justin Riney reflects on the growth and future direction of the show. He discusses the challenges posed by misinformation on social media, advocating for a strategic approach to engagement. Riney emphasizes the importance of not engaging with misleading posts to avoid amplifying their reach. He calls for more positive engagemen...

Do you work in the plastics industry? Are you frustrated with the fear surrounding plastic products? The best way to combat fear is through communication: with consumers, with regulators, and with legislators. That is what organizations like the EPS Industry Alliance (EPSIA) do for the industry. In this episode of the Redefining Plastics Podcast, host Justin Riney interviews Walter Reiter from the...

What do we do with plastics that cannot be recycled due to their application (ie diapers, small formats, etc.)? Raws has a technology that aims to break down these products at end-of-life. In this episode of the Redefining Plastics Podcast, host Justin Riney speaks with Camilo Ferro of Raws about innovative technology aimed at making plastics fully biodegradable. Camilo outlines their patented tec...

How do we make plastic recycling work in the United States? Collaboration! In this episode of the Redefining Plastics Podcast, host Justin Riney and co-host Samantha Ryan welcome Adam Hill, co-founder of Brave Industries. They discuss the inefficiencies of the current recycling system and Brave's revolutionary approach to creating an equitable, sustainable, and efficient recycling market. The podc...

In this episode of the 'Redefining Plastics' podcast, host Justin interviews Adrian Colesberry from Buoy. Adrian discusses Buoy's mission to create sustainable products, specifically focusing on the company's innovative use of ocean-bound HDPE plastic for their iconic reusable water bottles. The conversation covers issues related to polystyrene recycling, environmental impacts of different materia...

Do you think that plastic recycling is a fraud? Are you worried about the future of the recycling industry globally with all of the negative headlines? In this episode of the Redefining Plastics Podcast, host Justin Riney talks to Simon Van Leuven, the Australian Director of Vanden Recycling. They discuss Simon's background, the growth and global expansion of Vanden Recycling, and the challenges a...

Do you think that plastic recycling, as it exists today, cannot work at the scales we need? Then this episode is for you as we attack the issue from different angles. In this episode of the Redefining Plastics Podcast, hosts Samantha Ryan and Justin Riney discuss the critical issue of creating demand to make recycling work. They start with a playful game of 'Two Truths and a Lie' involving pop cul...

In this episode of the Redefining Plastics Podcast, host Justin Riney speaks with Greg Janson, President and CEO of Triton Group. Greg shares his extensive experience in the recycling industry, starting from his early days in his father's recycling business to his current endeavors with Triton Ties. The conversation delves into the evolution of recycling practices, the challenges of competing with...

In this episode of the Redefining Plastics podcast, host Justin Riney sits down with Laura Stewart, who is the Executive Director of NAPCOR (The National Association for PET Container Resources) to delve into the world of PET recycling. They explore NAPCOR's role in representing the North American PET supply chain, the historical success of PET recycling in the United States, and discuss the chall...

Join host Justin Riney on the Redefining Plastics Podcast as he welcomes Erin Hass from the Plastics Industry Association. Justin and Erin dive into their collaboration over the past six to seven months, discuss the intricacies of advocacy within the plastics industry, and share insights on polystyrene recycling and government affairs. Erin, with her extensive political background, brings a wealth...

Welcome to the Redefining Plastics Podcast with Justin Riney, Samantha Ryan, and special guest Michael Workman from Resin Smart by RTI! In this engaging episode, the team discusses the intricate world of sales within the plastics industry, the importance of mentorship, and the unique challenges faced by women entering this field. Hear firsthand experiences, laugh along with some light-hearted mome...

In this episode of the Redefining Plastics Podcast, hosts Justin Riney and Samantha Ryan chat with Seth Bland, CEO of Pony Express, about the essential role of freight and logistics in the recycling industry. Seth shares his journey, starting Pony Express in November 2023, and discusses the challenges and intricacies of managing freight for the "reefer" (Refrigerated Transportation) industry. They...

We head back to episode 1 of the Redefining Plastics podcast as it is a timely topic: the UN Global Plastic Treaty. Negotiations are underway in Geneva for International Negotiating Committee (INC) 5.2, and there does not appear to be an agreement on the horizon. Joshua Baca of Resilient Partners helps us better understand the negotiations and what to expect in the process. Check out Joshua's comp...

Welcome to the Redefining Plastics Podcast with Justin Riney and co-host Samantha Ryan. In this exciting episode, we dive deep into the world of bioplastics with Leah Ford from CJ Biomaterials. Discover the ins and outs of compostable materials like PHA and PLA, their applications, benefits, and challenges. From the intricacies of fermentation processes to the role of composting in tackling global...

Join hosts Justin Riney and Sam Ryan on this engaging episode of the Redefining Plastics podcast featuring special guest Ron Shank. While this episode veers off the typical plastic recycling path, the crew delves into conversation about strategic marketing approaches in the plastics industry. Ron, an author and strategic growth specialist, shares insights on his new book and effective marketing st...

Welcome to the Redefining Plastics Podcast! Join host Justin Riney as he reconnects with long-time industry friend and resin buyer extraordinaire, Susan Estes. In this lively episode, Justin and Susan dive into Susan's extensive background in the plastics industry, transitioning from packaging roles to commodity management, and her current focus on polymer recycling. They discuss the nuances of pr...

Are you on a journey to go "chemical free?" Do you think that chemicals will kill you? You will not want to miss this episode. Join hosts Justin Riney and Samantha Ryan as they welcome chemistry expert Simon Maechling to the Redefining Plastics podcast. Fresh from a holiday break, the trio dives into widespread misconceptions about plastics and chemicals. With humor and insightful anecdotes, Simon...

Welcome to the Redefining Plastics Podcast! Join host Justin Riney as he breaks down the complexities of the plastics industry, making it easier to understand for everyone. In this episode, Justin tackles common industry jargon, explaining the various types of polymers, their specific uses, and the processes behind their creation. Learn about the recycling industry, the challenges it faces, and th...

In this episode of the Redefining Plastics podcast, host Justin Riney chats with Elayna Simmons, a Gen Z recycling professional with a background in plastics engineering. They discuss the importance of recycling, the perception issues surrounding the plastics industry, and Elena's upcoming adventure on the Appalachian Trail. The conversation touches on various aspects of the plastics and recycling...

In this engaging and funny episode of the Redefining Plastics Podcast, host Justin Riney, along with newly appointed co-host Samantha Ryan, welcomes Alex and Mitch from Brave Industries. Together, they dive into innovative strategies for improving plastic recycling, the importance of collaboration within the industry, and the personal, empathetic approach Brave Industries takes to solve big proble...

Join host Justin Riney on the latest episode of The Redefining Plastics Podcast, featuring Samantha Ryan from Brave Industries. Discover how Samantha, the 'Director of All Things,' keeps her team organized and efficient, discusses the challenges of bringing younger generations into the recycling industry, and shares her personal journey into the world of plastics and sustainability. From the dynam...