Circular by Design: What It Takes to Rethink Plastics
In this episode of Plastic Climate Future, we speak with Dr. Christine Bunte, Managing Director of Plastics Europe, about what it really means to make plastics circular — and why achieving it is far more complex than simply recycling more.Christine brings a unique perspective, blending a background in polymer chemistry with years in public affairs, now representing Europe’s plastics producers at the center of policy and industry change.What we explore:Why “well-made” packaging can be more sustainable than we thinkThe role of chemical and mechanical recycling in scaling circularityHow cost, innovation, and regulation intersect — and where the bottlenecks areWhy making circularity attractive to consumers is just as critical as policy targets🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!
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Policy Meets Practice: Scaling Circularity Through Regulation
In this episode of Plastic Climate Future, we speak with Olivier Van Volden, a leading expert in plastics regulation and circular policy across Belgium and the EU. With a PhD in polymer science and a career spanning sustainable logistics, packaging legislation, and industry advocacy, Olivier shares how regulation can both enable and challenge the transition toward circularity.This episode also marks a milestone for our team: for the first time, Pedro Guincho steps behind the microphone to lead the discussion.Together, they explore what it takes to align EU legislation with on-the-ground innovation — and why the path to a circular future remains full of roadblocks.What we explore:How the EU’s Green Deal and packaging rules are influencing innovationWhy complexity and uncertainty are holding back circular scale-upThe risk of losing industrial leadership to other global regionsWhat a more effective, purpose-driven regulatory framework could look like🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!
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Voices of the Ocean: Turning Trash and Data into Action
What if every bottle cap, cigarette butt, or food wrapper washed up on a beach was more than just waste? What if it represented a data point, a story, and a call to action?In this episode of Plastic Climate Future, we speak with Sarah Weller from Ocean Conservancy, whose work transforms global beach cleanups into one of the world’s most extensive sources of data on ocean pollution.From her early experiences diving in the Bahamas to leading the International Coastal Cleanup, Sarah shares how community-driven action, digital tools, and science communication are reshaping the movement toward a cleaner and more resilient ocean.What we explore:How 40 years of trash data is influencing policy and global awarenessWhy citizen science is essential to driving systemic change—not just removing litterHow the Clean Swell app is turning everyday actions into measurable impactThe shift from counting what we find to changing what gets madeThis episode is for anyone who believes the ocean deserves better—and that small, collective actions can create meaningful change.🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!
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Serious Fun: The People Behind Plastic Progress with Antero Ahvenainen
At just 30 years old, Antero Ahvenainen was trusted to lead the most critical technology project in his company — a polyethylene innovation that would eventually power some of the largest polymer plants in the world.He didn’t have formal training in plastics. What he had was curiosity, courage, and a team with the right attitude. The result? A process that helped shape the future of the global polyolefins industry.Together with John, who knows Antero from 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘧𝘧, they remember the old days, laugh about old times, and reflect on what it took to bring big ideas to life — sauna breaks and all.This 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 is a tribute — to Antero’s career, his leadership, his legacy, and the spirit of innovation he inspired in those around him.It’s not just about plastics. It’s about people.🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!
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Bio-Based and Beyond: Pioneering the Future of Sustainable Chemistry with BASF
In this episode of Plastic Climate Future, BASF experts Dr. Ivana Krkljuš, Dr. Christian Krueger, and Prof. Peter Saling discuss the future of sustainable chemistry through the lens of bio-attributed products, mass balance, and industrial decarbonization. Drawing from their recently published book chapter, the conversation unpacks the science, standards, and strategies driving BASF’s climate-focused transformation.Key Highlights:𝗕𝗶𝗼-𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀: Understanding their role and significance in reducing carbon footprints.𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: Demystifying the concept and its importance beyond just "creative accounting."𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆: Practical strategies and innovations making a real impact.🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!
Plastic. Climate. Future. enables engagement among industry members, climate activists, innovators, and the rest of world (the general public) to ultimately achieve positive changes related to plastic and the climate.
In their podcast, Mat & John host guests from these groups of stakeholders and talk about their views, activities and opinions to foster trustful communication and learn from each other.
Check out more at www.plasticclimatefuture.com
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