Ep. 39: Plastics Recycling in 2025: Progress, Priorities, and Possibilities w/ Steve Alexander, President & CEO of APR
Recycled ContentShow Notes
To kick off 2025, Recycled Content host Kara Pochiro is joined by President & CEO of the Association of Plastic Recyclers, Steve Alexander. The two discuss how 2025 is a pivotal year for sustainability initiatives and APR's priorities for the year ahead including pushing for policies that drive plastic recycling, emphasizing the importance of creating packaging that is designed for recyclability, and combatting misinformation. The two emphasize the economic impact of postconsumer recycled plastics as well as the pathways to stabilize markets and create a circular economy. As the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference approaches, this is an episode you won't want to miss!
More from Recycled Content
In this episode of Recycled Content, host Kara Pochiro explores the state of plastic recycling in Canada with Allen Langdon, CEO of Circular Materials, and Elena Mantagaris, Senior Advisor of Canadian Initiatives at APR. Together, they discuss market volatility, the impact of tariffs, the role of extended producer responsibility (EPR), and the policy solutions needed to build a more resilient and circular plastics economy in Canada.
Este año entró en vigor la Ley General de Economía Circular de México, el primer marco nacional obligatorio que establece nuevas reglas sobre cómo se diseñan, producen y recuperan los productos, incluidos los plásticos. En este primer episodio de Recycled Content en español, nuestra anfitriona invitada Jazlin Lopez, Gerente de Comunicaciones Digitales y Membresía para América Latina de APR, conversa con Martha Ricardi Velázquez, Directora de Estrategia para América Latina de APR, sobre lo que esta nueva ley significa para las empresas que operan en México y qué cambios aún son necesarios para lograr que más envases sean realmente reciclables.
The 2024 U.S. Post-Consumer Plastic Recycling Study found that more than 5.1 billion pounds of plastic were recovered for recycling—but what's the real story behind these numbers? In this episode of Recycled Content, host Kara Pochiro sits down with APR Program Director for PET Packaging Megan Moore to explore what the latest recycling data reveals about the state of the industry and the road ahead. Megan also shares insights from her decades-long career in plastic packaging and highlights the policies and market solutions needed to strengthen demand for recycled materials.
In this episode, Domenic Di Mondo, CEO of GreenMantra Technologies, sits down with Host Kara Pochiro to explore the next frontier of plastics recycling. GreenMantra’s innovation converts recycled plastics into high-performance synthetic waxes that can be used in a variety of products that last 20-50+ years. Domenic explains why no single solution can solve the plastics waste challenge and how allowing ourselves to utilize as many complimentary pathways as possible is key.
APR President and CEO Steve Alexander joins Recycled Content to discuss APR’s testimony before the Office of the United States Trade Representative and how low-priced imports are impacting domestic recyclers. Steve and Kara explore policy solutions, PCR certification, and why global conflict is not a long-term answer for the recycling industry.