Plastic. Climate. Future.

Mat Wielopolski & John Sewell
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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

  1. 11 NOV

    Is This the Most Unexpected Sustainable Material Yet?

    What began as a curious design experiment has grown into a pioneering materials company, one that’s rethinking circularity, material value, and how we deal with overlooked waste streams. In this episode, we speak with Zsofia Kollar, founder of Human Material Loop, a startup turning human hair waste into high-performance textile fibers for the interior and design industries. From salon floors to acoustic panels, Zsofia shares how their material innovation — Adara fiber — is entering the market with a low-carbon footprint, strong performance, and zero microplastics. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲:-How creative design thinking can unlock new material value- Why human hair is a clean, untapped feedstock for textiles- How Adara compares to wool and polyester in real LCA numbers 🎧 Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

    42 min

  2. 16 OCT

    The Lignin Solution: From Forestry Waste to Plastic Innovation

    What if plastic could be made — not from fossil fuels — but from forestry residues? In this episode of Plastic Climate Future, we speak with Fredrik Malmfors, CEO of Lignin Industries, about how this abundant, underused natural material is being transformed into a scalable alternative to traditional plastics. With roots in consulting and food supply chains, Fredrik shares his personal journey to biopolymers — and how lignin-based materials can deliver performance, circularity, and value, from trucks to e-commerce packaging. Why tune in:- What makes lignin a game-changer in the bioplastics landscape- How Lignin Industries is building scalable, recyclable solutions- What’s next for bio-based plastics and policy support in Europe

    51 min

  3. 23 SEPT

    Is This the Future of Sustainable Food Packaging?

    In this episode, we speak with Ved Krishna, the visionary behind Pakka, a company creating compostable food packaging from sugarcane waste — and aiming to scale regenerative packaging across the food industry. With deep roots in India and global ambitions, Ved shares how Pakka is building local supply chains, designing for true end-of-use, and why they’ve chosen to stay laser-focused on just one thing: food packaging. What we explore: - What regenerative packaging means in practice- Why scalability and pricing still challenge bio-based solutions- How values, design, and market pressure intersect in packaging A refreshing, candid, and at times radical take on what it really takes to change the system — and why it’s worth doing.

    48 min

  4. 3 SEPT

    Conference Countdown: Why CRE Forum 2025 Matters Now

    In this episode of Plastic Climate Future, we speak with Valentijn de Neve, CEO of BlueAlp and President of Chemical Recycling Europe, ahead of the 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺 (𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗙 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱) — taking place 16 September in Brussels, with a networking reception on the evening of 15 September. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 — 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗙 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗿?This episode unpacks why the upcoming forum isn’t just another industry meetup — it’s a strategic moment for anyone serious about the future of circular plastics in Europe: What sets CREF 2025 apart — and why it comes at a critical time How regulation, innovation, and demand are aligning to drive real change What to expect — and why it’s worth being in the room Register now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chemical-recycling-europe-forum-2025-tickets-1362718530809?aff=oddtdtcreator

    38 min

  5. 20 AUG

    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 think The role of chemical and mechanical recycling in scaling circularity How cost, innovation, and regulation intersect — and where the bottlenecks are Why making circularity attractive to consumers is just as critical as policy targets 🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

    41 min

  6. 24 JUL

    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 innovation Why complexity and uncertainty are holding back circular scale-up The risk of losing industrial leadership to other global regions What a more effective, purpose-driven regulatory framework could look like 🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

    50 min

  7. 26 JUN

    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 awareness Why citizen science is essential to driving systemic change—not just removing litter How the Clean Swell app is turning everyday actions into measurable impact The shift from counting what we find to changing what gets made This 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!

    49 min

  8. 3 JUN

    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!

    40 min
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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Mat Wielopolski & John Sewell
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    81
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © [Plastic. Climate. Future. by Mat Wielopolski & John Sewell] [2021]. All rights reserved. Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited other than downloading and playing the podcast and sharing with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Plastic. Climate. Future. Podcast as the source of the material. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.
  • Show Website
    Plastic. Climate. Future.