Change Cycle

From neglected waste to a powerful resource for thriving communities, discover how we can harness composting to cultivate a greener future. Join Christine Yeager as she engages in a compelling conversation with Clinton Sander, Marketing Manager at A1 Organics, Colorado's largest commercial compost manufacturer. They delve into the critical importance of diverting hundreds of thousands of tons of organic waste from landfills annually, transforming it into nutrient-rich finished compost. This episode unveils the profound impact of emphasizing the end-use value of compost for soil health, water retention, and carbon sequestration, while also confronting the persistent challenges of contamination. Learn how consistent, transparent sustainability campaigns and a shift in community perception are essential to truly unlock the full potential of organics recycling and build healthier, more resilient environments.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcast

Circular economy policy is a critical lever for systemic change, but are policies like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), landfill bans, taxes, and deposit schemes truly the silver bullet we need? Join Christine Yeager as she dissects the complexities of these tools, uncovering their potential, pitfalls, and the delicate balance between environmental goals, business realities, and social equity. Discover how the right policy design can catalyze innovation and market development, and explore the global trends shaping a more sustainable future.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcast

Colorado EPR reporting isn’t just paperwork—it’s your chance to align data, reduce costs, and avoid last-minute panic. This solo episode offers a clear, tactical walkthrough of everything producers need to prepare for the July 31st Colorado EPR submission deadline. Learn how to gather sales data by SKU, align packaging weights, map materials accurately, and understand how Colorado’s reporting categories differ from Oregon’s. With insight into methodology language, fee projections, and long-term strategy, this guide will help you turn compliance into a competitive edge.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcastpodscan_6wlZVydgw5VY29OBwZnW0JnE4oelQnRp

Looking to navigate a career pivot or transition with confidence? Host Christine Yeager chats with career development coach Ava Lala, who shares her expertise on embracing change and building resilience in your professional journey. Discover actionable strategies for managing setbacks, leveraging new technologies like AI in your job search, and developing an intentional mindset to achieve your goals. Ava also discusses the growing importance of impact and sustainability in career choices, offering insights for professionals seeking purpose-driven work. Tune in for valuable advice on self-actualization, negotiation, and transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcast

Sustainable supply chains aren’t just the future—they’re the foundation of smarter, more responsible business. In this episode, Christine Yeager sits down with Sushma Kittali-Weidner, VP of Products at Rheaply and a former software engineer turned circularity champion, to explore how AI, digital infrastructure, and intentional design can scale sustainability. From overcoming pilot paralysis and EPR compliance to the role of asset traceability and second-life procurement, this conversation dives deep into the tech, tactics, and team alignment needed to make circular economy principles a living, breathing part of enterprise strategy. Sushma brings clarity to the intersection of automation, AI, and environmental impact—with a toolkit that spans from digital twins to regenerative agriculture.

Sustainability tension management is the secret edge of companies that thrive under pressure. Steve Rochlin and Jeff Senne—seasoned strategists and co-authors of a foundational report on sustainability strategy—unpack how high-performing organizations navigate the push and pull between short-term wins and long-term value. With host Christine Yeager, this candid conversation dives into CEO mindset archetypes, real business performance data, and how to align incentives without diluting purpose. From boardroom skepticism to strategic breakthrough, this is a masterclass in turning tension into transformation.

For the circular economy to be truly effective, the right balancing act of people, planet, and profit must be pulled out. Christine Yeager discusses how corporations can turn this into reality, giving more opportunities to lower-income communities and building a more sustainable world. She also presents some companies that excel in these areas and one particular organization that balances those three legs pretty well.

If you want people to rapidly and actively address today’s biggest social issues, you have to simplify overwhelming ideas and set aside unusual jargons. This is the reason why Rachel Zerowin focused on telling better stories to educate communities about the importance of water conservation and circular economy. She joins Christine Yeager to share her work at Circular Action Alliance (CAA), wherein she uses storytelling to drive awareness of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation across Colorado. Rachel talks about different approaches to teaching communities about recycling programs and water conservation projects. She also explores how sustainability does not only concern community-building efforts but also building a better version of yourself every single day.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcast

Understanding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program plans is crucial for the future of recycling, and states like Oregon and Colorado are leading the way. In this insightful episode, host Christine Yeager unpacks the complex details of these blueprints, revealing how they're set to revolutionize waste management. We delve into the specific program plans of Oregon and Colorado, exploring how their funding models differ, how oversight agencies are involved, and what concrete changes are on the horizon for recycling systems. You’ll learn how these plans will impact recyclers, brands, and communities through increased access, stronger markets, and better accountability. Discover why the unique strategies of Oregon and Colorado, from infrastructure investments to equity initiatives, could serve as a model for nationwide recycling reform.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcastWe can use this ad to promote CSY Impact when someone discussed a particular challenge related to EPR - especially in Geoff Inch & Rachel Zerowin's episodes.

Waterway litter removal isn’t easy—it’s messy, underfunded, and often overlooked. But for Don Bates, founder of Osprey Initiatives and inventor of the Litter Gitter, that’s exactly why it matters. In this episode, we explore how Don has built a mission-driven company that thrives by embracing the suck—transforming neglected urban streams, engaging underserved communities, and revolutionizing recycling in regions where systems are broken or nonexistent. With deep Southern roots and over 25 years of environmental consulting experience, Don shares how passion, persistence, and process are changing the way we tackle litter and drive circular solutions in the places that need them most. From repurposing event waste at the Super Bowl to bringing recycling infrastructure to towns with no curbside pickup, his team is proving that real innovation doesn’t wait for perfect conditions—it builds in spite of them. This is a story about legacy, leadership, and why the hardest problems are often the most worth solving.

Let's dive into the complicated world of recycling in the U.S., where a broken system wastes billions and leaves a gaping hole in our fight for sustainability. In this episode, host Christine Yeager unravels why national recycling rates are stagnant and how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) could revolutionize the industry. We’ll unpack the urgent needs of states like Maryland, Colorado, California, and Oregon, spotlighting the struggles with inconsistent access, outdated facilities, and confusing guidelines. Discover how hefty investments, ranging from millions for upgrades to billions for national system overhauls, could unlock the $70 billion potential of a circular economy, and learn about the game-changing strategies like mandated access, inclusive education, and closed-loop systems that are essential for real change.

In this episode, we discuss Balancing Cost, Competition, and Sustainability.Balancing cost, competition, and sustainability is a tightrope walk for any industry, especially  through the rapidly evolving landscape of extended producer responsibility (EPR). In this episode, Geoffrey Inch, Head of Producer Services at Circular Action Alliance, shares his unique journey and insights on navigating this challenge. We delve into his career, from leading sustainability initiatives at a petrochemical company to his current role at CAA. Geoffrey opens up about influencing change, overcoming obstacles, and embracing a circular economy. Join us as we uncover Geoffrey's lessons learned from experiencing change and his invaluable advice for producers looking to thrive in a more sustainable world.We can use this ad to promote CSY Impact when someone discussed a particular challenge related to EPR - especially in Geoff Inch & Rachel Zerowin's episodes.

In this episode, we go deep into the definition of EPR. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is the concept of shifting the funding mechanism for dealing with waste away from local governments and onto the companies that produce and sell the package, but what does that really mean? We also dive into "why embrace the change that will need to happen to make EPR successful?"Discover how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is revolutionizing waste management and fostering a circular economy in this engaging discussion with Christine Yeager. She explains how EPR shifts the funding mechanism of recycling and waste management from local governments directly to the producers and brands responsible for packaging. Christine also sheds light on the essential work of producer responsibility organizations like the Circular Action Alliance in implementing and enforcing EPR laws. Tune in to understand why Christine emphasizes the importance of a strong recycling infrastructure and the necessity of a national perspective to tackle the challenges of localized recycling and improve nationwide recycling performance.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcast

Creating alignment between corporate functions and business objectives can be a powerful catalyst for growth, and the same holds true for personal evolution. In this episode, Katie Phillips, Director of Human Resources and Marketing at GCS, shares her unique approach to embracing change in both her professional and personal life. Listen next time to hear Katie discuss her strategies for aligning business goals, how she opted to leave the workforce to raise children, her journey to vegetarianism, and her passion for promoting diversity in the construction industry. She talks about “trusting that things will work out,” even in the face of fear. Join us as we explore how Katie Phillips flows through the cycle of change and discovers the rewards of intentional living.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcastListen to our next episode where we talk about Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) - place this at the end of the episode with Katie Phillips

Change is constant, especially in the field of sustainability, making effective change management crucial for success. This episode dives deep into the essential principles of change management for sustainability professionals who aim to drive impactful organizational transitions. Christine Yeager discusses the importance of understanding and leveraging the change curve to guide individuals and teams through these transitions effectively. She explores key change management models, including the PROSCI model and John Kotter's perspective, and emphasizes the critical role of stakeholder engagement, empathy, and agile methodologies in navigating change initiatives. Throughout the episode, Christine shares valuable personal experiences and actionable strategies for implementing change, highlighting the importance of retrospectives, prioritization, and maintaining a clear vision to achieve sustainability goals.Download Stakeholder Engagement Worksheet - https://www.csyimpact.com/download-stakeholder-eng