The Environmental Transformation Podcast with Sean Grady

Sean Grady
  • 3.0 (2)
  • EARTH SCIENCES
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

The Environmental Transformation Podcast explores the future of Sustainability, EHS, the Circular Economy, and Environmental Innovation. Host Sean Grady interviews industry leaders and changemakers about emerging technologies, digital transformation, and the trends reshaping the environmental sector. Stay informed, lead the change, and join the ET Nation on every major platform as we dive into the conversations driving real environmental impact.

  1. Microplastics, CCL 6 and EPA Drinking Water Policy with Megan Quinn of Waste Dive

    APR 28

    Microplastics, CCL 6 and EPA Drinking Water Policy with Megan Quinn of Waste Dive

    Microplastics appear on a federal contaminant watchlist for the first time, and the regulatory path forward remains far from certain. Megan Quinn, senior reporter at Waste Dive, breaks down what the EPA's proposed new Contaminant Candidate List 6 actually means for water utilities, landfill operators, and chemical manufacturers, and why the lack of standardized test methods could slow any future regulation significantly. Quinn explains how the CCL process works, who sits on the newly reshuffled Science Advisory Board, and why the parallel push from the MAHA movement adds political complexity to what is otherwise a science-driven process. The conversation draws on direct parallels to how PFAS moved through the regulatory pipeline over more than a decade, from early CCL listings to drinking water standards to hazardous substance designations, offering a framework for understanding how microplastics and newly listed pharmaceuticals might follow a similar, lengthy trajectory. The episode also covers the dissolution of the EPA's Office of Research and Development, New Mexico's move to regulate PFAS as a hazardous waste, the Department of War's updated PFAS destruction and disposal guidance, and what the rollback of certain PFAS drinking water standards signals about the current administration's regulatory priorities. The public comment period for the draft CCL 6 closes June 5, 2026. Megan Quinn covers state and federal recycling policy, PFAS, chemical recycling, environmental justice, and EPA regulatory changes for Waste Dive. 0:00 Introduction and Megan Quinn's Background 1:55 What Is the Contaminant Candidate List 6 5:00 Public Comment Period and Finalization Timeline 6:45 Science Advisory Board Changes Under Trump 8:45 Who Is Affected by CCL 6 10:30 Should Companies Begin Sampling Now 13:00 Lack of Analytical Methods for Microplastics 15:10 EPA Research Capacity and Budget Cuts 17:30 Private Industry's Role in Federal Research 19:15 Public Concerns and Red Flags 21:00 PFAS as a Regulatory Roadmap for Microplastics 25:45 How Waste Dive Covers EPA Announcements 28:00 New Mexico PFAS Rules and PFAS Incineration 30:15 Advice for Stakeholders Watching CCL 6 33:30 Who Is Monitoring for Microplastics Now 34:30 Closing Remarks

    35 min
  2. Inside the $8 Billion DOE Nuclear Waste Cleanup Program: Steve Moore on Veolia's Federal Services

    MAR 17

    Inside the $8 Billion DOE Nuclear Waste Cleanup Program: Steve Moore on Veolia's Federal Services

    The U.S. Department of Energy spends roughly $8 billion annually cleaning up nuclear waste from Manhattan Project-era sites like Hanford, Washington and Oak Ridge, Tennessee. On this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady sits down with Steve Moore, president and CEO of Veolia Nuclear Solutions Federal Services Group, to discuss the agency's most pressing environmental liabilities and innovative remediation technologies. Moore describes the scale of the challenge: 56 million gallons of high-level radioactive waste currently stored in above-ground tanks at Hanford alone. He explains how Veolia's patented GeoMelt vitrification technology transforms reactive metals and radioactive waste into stable glass, and discusses the company's operations of two of the largest radioactive waste landfills in the nation. The conversation covers emerging opportunities to revitalize federal sites as data centers and advanced reactor facilities, the "competetition" model where contractors collaborate on complex projects, and why the nuclear remediation field offers meaningful careers for young professionals seeking challenging environmental work.

    37 min
  3. Carbon Emission Life Cycle Assessments 101, 102, and 103. Schools in session with John Beath

    FEB 24

    Carbon Emission Life Cycle Assessments 101, 102, and 103. Schools in session with John Beath

    Sean Grady interviews John M. Beath, P.E. (TX), LCA-CP, CEO and founder of John Beath Environmental, LLC, on the Environmental Transformation Podcast. Beath explains life cycle assessment (LCA), carbon footprints and how companies evaluate emissions across raw materials, manufacturing, transportation and product use. In this episode, Beath breaks down LCA basics for beginners, including emission factors, primary vs. secondary data and environmental databases. He also discusses LCA 101, LCA 102 and LCA 103, transparent Excel-based modeling, EV vs. internal combustion trade-offs, grid impacts, charging and temperature effects, EPDs, and why plug-in hybrids can be a practical near-term solution for reducing combustion-related air pollution in daily driving.

    55 min
  4. Inside CHEMTREC: Chemical Emergency Management Support for First Responders and Shippers

    JAN 27

    Inside CHEMTREC: Chemical Emergency Management Support for First Responders and Shippers

    Host Sean Grady talks with Kevin Lavezzo of CHEMTREC about the side of the chemical world most people never see, but responders rely on when accurate information matters. They unpack what CHEMTREC actually does, including how its Emergency Operations Center triages calls, uses tools like the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG), and connects callers with product experts.Lavezzo explains a common misconception: first responders can call CHEMTREC for help without paying a fee, and the team will still work to support a response even when company information is incomplete. The conversation also covers how CHEMTREC supports compliance for shippers, manages safety data sheets, provides hazmat and regulatory training, and coordinates parts of incident response through partners.They also dig into real-world challenges, from language barriers and global response complexity to responder skill gaps with monitors and interpreting SDS details, plus emerging trends like lithium-ion battery incidents and severe weather impacts on transportation. Thanks to our Sponsors: Cascade Environmental, E-Tank & Pump, and WASTELINQ.

    47 min
  5. How Terracycle is leading the reuse and recycling industry with its Loop platform & expanding the circular economy with CEO Tom Szaky

    JAN 6

    How Terracycle is leading the reuse and recycling industry with its Loop platform & expanding the circular economy with CEO Tom Szaky

    TerraCycle CEO and co-founder Tom Szaky returns to the Environmental Transformation Podcast with host Sean Grady for an update on what has changed since his last appearance in episode 20 in 2020. Szaky breaks down why most items are “not recyclable” because of economics, not technology, and why reuse is TerraCycle’s biggest investment through the Loop platform, including what it has taken to scale in France. The conversation also digs into U.S. recycling headwinds, extended producer responsibility, Senate Bill 54 and Senate Bill 343 in California, and why education and “making it fun” can move behavior fast. Szaky also explains TerraCycle’s current Regulation CF raise, the planned Regulation A offering, and where to learn more at www.terracycle.com. Thanks to our Sponsors: Cascade Environmental, E-Tank, and WASTELINQ

    53 min
  6. Climate Optimism and Pragmatic Action with Author and Microsoft Sustainability Leader Charlie Sellars

    2025-12-09

    Climate Optimism and Pragmatic Action with Author and Microsoft Sustainability Leader Charlie Sellars

    On the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady talks with Charlie Sellars, author of “What We Can Do, a Climate Optimist Guide to Sustainable Living” and a director of sustainability at Microsoft. Topics include:• Why “crisis language” can burn people out, and how Sellars frames “pragmatic” climate optimism. (“crisis language kind of burns people out”; “The optimism language is a pragmatic language.”)• Carbon accounting basics and early carbon footprint labels in food. (“we’re kind of at day one of carbon accounting”; “Sweet Green will actually put the, uh, carbon footprint of your meal”)• Life cycle assessment and the “make it, move it, use it, lose it” framework. (“It’s called lifecycle assessment”; “make it, move it, use it, lose it framework.”)• Right to repair, product longevity, and the power of buying signals and reviews. (“right to repair movement”; “voting with their, uh, their wallets”; “leaving a positive review”)• Clean energy debates on nuclear, solar barriers, and how AI is driving data center energy demand. (“discouraging nuclear power generation”; “preventing people and companies from installing solar panels”; “what they’re used for is now ai”; “AI obviously takes a lot of energy.”)

    1h 4m
  7. Enviro Apps Co Founder Explains how it’s Digital platform is transforming Hazmat Manifesting

    2025-12-02

    Enviro Apps Co Founder Explains how it’s Digital platform is transforming Hazmat Manifesting

    On this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady speaks with Enviro Apps co founder Amit Bhargava live at the EHS Hazmat Summit. Bhargava explains how his platform streamlines digital hazardous waste and dangerous goods documentation, improves emergency response times, reduces administrative burden, and helps shippers and carriers save money. He also discusses regulatory hurdles, SAP integrations, sustainability features, and real time data access for emergency responders. Thanks to our Sponsors for their support of the podcast: WASTELINQ, Cascade Environmental, E-Tank

    22 min
  8. How Alan McKim Built Clean Harbors into a Five Billion Dollar Environmental Services Company

    2025-11-18

    How Alan McKim Built Clean Harbors into a Five Billion Dollar Environmental Services Company

    Alan McKim, founder of Clean Harbors, joins the Environmental Transformation Podcast to discuss how he grew the company from a four-person startup in 1980 into one of North America's largest environmental and industrial services providers. McKim reflects on early emergency response work, major acquisitions including Safety Kleen, going public during the 1987 crash, and building a nationwide network of 20,000 employees, 10,000 vehicles, 700 service centers, and 100 permitted waste facilities. He also shares insights from his Undercover Boss experience, the role technology plays in Clean Harbors operations, and lessons from his book, “Doing the Doing.” Thanks to our Sponsors: WASTELINQ, E-Tank, and Cascade Environmental

    58 min
See All (127)

Ratings & Reviews

3
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Environmental Transformation Podcast explores the future of Sustainability, EHS, the Circular Economy, and Environmental Innovation. Host Sean Grady interviews industry leaders and changemakers about emerging technologies, digital transformation, and the trends reshaping the environmental sector. Stay informed, lead the change, and join the ET Nation on every major platform as we dive into the conversations driving real environmental impact.

Information

You Might Also Like