Podcasts about American Chemistry Council

We welcome Jeremy DeBenedictis, President of Alterra, and Ross Eisenberg, President of America's Plastic Makers at the American Chemistry Council. We're diving into a topic that impacts nearly every aspect of modern life — plastics. From the packaging that protects our food to the components in our vehicles, medical equipment, and technology, plastics play a vital role in the American economy and our daily routinesLearn More:https://www.alterra360.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/alterraenergy/@AlterraEnergy on Xhttps://plasticmakers.org/@eisenberg_ross on Xlinkedin.com/in/ross-eisenberg-acc

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ashley Christopher. She is a multifaceted individual: a dedicated mother to her son, Ryan, a CEO, an attorney licensed in Pennsylvania, and a stroke survivor. She founded the HBCU Week Foundation in 2017 with a mission to promote enrollment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), provide scholarships, and create pathways for students from undergrad to corporate America. HBCU Week, a central initiative of her foundation, aims to immerse high school students in the history and legacy of HBCUs, encouraging them to consider these institutions for higher education. The cornerstone of the program is a unique college fair where students can gain immediate acceptance and scholarships based on their eligibility. To date, the event has facilitated over 10,000 on-the-spot acceptances and awarded nearly $100 million in scholarships, partnering with organizations like the NFL and Capital One. Notably, Ashley spearheaded a substantial partnership with the American Chemistry Council, which will provide 1,000 $40,000 scholarships for students pursuing STEM majors at HBCUs. As a proud alumna of HBCUs, having attended Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia Law School, Ashley is deeply committed to guiding young people toward higher education opportunities. She views her role as crucial in demonstrating that success is attainable from HBCUs. Above all, her favorite role remains that of a mother, guided by her faith and the belief that she can inspire others while advancing her own career. Company Description *HBCU Week was founded in 2017 by Ashley Christopher, Esq. and is managed by the HBCU Week Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. HBCU Week consists of multi-day events held throughout the nation each year, designed to encourage high school-aged youth to enroll in HBCUs, provide scholarship dollars for matriculation and sustain a pipeline for employment from undergraduate school to corporate America. A highlight of our events is the College Fair, which offers on-the-spot college acceptance and scholarships to qualified high school seniors. For more information, visit www.HBCUWeek.org. Talking Points/Questions *Entrepreneurship & Nonprofit LeadershipEntrepreneurship and nonprofit leadership demand grit and hard work. Despite challenges, a heartfelt commitment makes the journey worthwhile. This content is aimed at companies and organizations eager to learn the essentials of building and managing a business with a small team. DE&I & Social ImpactDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) is a pivotal topic in today's discourse. It's crucial to educate individuals and companies on its real benefits. Diversity should be viewed as essential for upward mobility, not merely as an act of charity. The audience includes organizations dedicated to understanding and expanding diversity initiatives. Self-Care & Self-AwarenessAs a mother, entrepreneur, attorney, and stroke survivor, Ashley recognizes the significance of prioritizing health and listening to our bodies. It’s vital that everyone learns to care for themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. This message targets individuals aged 16 and older who are passionate about adopting a healthy lifestyle and pursuing personal growth. #BEST #STRAW #SHMSSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ashley Christopher. She is a multifaceted individual: a dedicated mother to her son, Ryan, a CEO, an attorney licensed in Pennsylvania, and a stroke survivor. She founded the HBCU Week Foundation in 2017 with a mission to promote enrollment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), provide scholarships, and create pathways for students from undergrad to corporate America. HBCU Week, a central initiative of her foundation, aims to immerse high school students in the history and legacy of HBCUs, encouraging them to consider these institutions for higher education. The cornerstone of the program is a unique college fair where students can gain immediate acceptance and scholarships based on their eligibility. To date, the event has facilitated over 10,000 on-the-spot acceptances and awarded nearly $100 million in scholarships, partnering with organizations like the NFL and Capital One. Notably, Ashley spearheaded a substantial partnership with the American Chemistry Council, which will provide 1,000 $40,000 scholarships for students pursuing STEM majors at HBCUs. As a proud alumna of HBCUs, having attended Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia Law School, Ashley is deeply committed to guiding young people toward higher education opportunities. She views her role as crucial in demonstrating that success is attainable from HBCUs. Above all, her favorite role remains that of a mother, guided by her faith and the belief that she can inspire others while advancing her own career. Company Description *HBCU Week was founded in 2017 by Ashley Christopher, Esq. and is managed by the HBCU Week Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. HBCU Week consists of multi-day events held throughout the nation each year, designed to encourage high school-aged youth to enroll in HBCUs, provide scholarship dollars for matriculation and sustain a pipeline for employment from undergraduate school to corporate America. A highlight of our events is the College Fair, which offers on-the-spot college acceptance and scholarships to qualified high school seniors. For more information, visit www.HBCUWeek.org. Talking Points/Questions *Entrepreneurship & Nonprofit LeadershipEntrepreneurship and nonprofit leadership demand grit and hard work. Despite challenges, a heartfelt commitment makes the journey worthwhile. This content is aimed at companies and organizations eager to learn the essentials of building and managing a business with a small team. DE&I & Social ImpactDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) is a pivotal topic in today's discourse. It's crucial to educate individuals and companies on its real benefits. Diversity should be viewed as essential for upward mobility, not merely as an act of charity. The audience includes organizations dedicated to understanding and expanding diversity initiatives. Self-Care & Self-AwarenessAs a mother, entrepreneur, attorney, and stroke survivor, Ashley recognizes the significance of prioritizing health and listening to our bodies. It’s vital that everyone learns to care for themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. This message targets individuals aged 16 and older who are passionate about adopting a healthy lifestyle and pursuing personal growth. #BEST #STRAW #SHMSSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ashley Christopher. She is a multifaceted individual: a dedicated mother to her son, Ryan, a CEO, an attorney licensed in Pennsylvania, and a stroke survivor. She founded the HBCU Week Foundation in 2017 with a mission to promote enrollment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), provide scholarships, and create pathways for students from undergrad to corporate America. HBCU Week, a central initiative of her foundation, aims to immerse high school students in the history and legacy of HBCUs, encouraging them to consider these institutions for higher education. The cornerstone of the program is a unique college fair where students can gain immediate acceptance and scholarships based on their eligibility. To date, the event has facilitated over 10,000 on-the-spot acceptances and awarded nearly $100 million in scholarships, partnering with organizations like the NFL and Capital One. Notably, Ashley spearheaded a substantial partnership with the American Chemistry Council, which will provide 1,000 $40,000 scholarships for students pursuing STEM majors at HBCUs. As a proud alumna of HBCUs, having attended Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia Law School, Ashley is deeply committed to guiding young people toward higher education opportunities. She views her role as crucial in demonstrating that success is attainable from HBCUs. Above all, her favorite role remains that of a mother, guided by her faith and the belief that she can inspire others while advancing her own career. Company Description *HBCU Week was founded in 2017 by Ashley Christopher, Esq. and is managed by the HBCU Week Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. HBCU Week consists of multi-day events held throughout the nation each year, designed to encourage high school-aged youth to enroll in HBCUs, provide scholarship dollars for matriculation and sustain a pipeline for employment from undergraduate school to corporate America. A highlight of our events is the College Fair, which offers on-the-spot college acceptance and scholarships to qualified high school seniors. For more information, visit www.HBCUWeek.org. Talking Points/Questions *Entrepreneurship & Nonprofit LeadershipEntrepreneurship and nonprofit leadership demand grit and hard work. Despite challenges, a heartfelt commitment makes the journey worthwhile. This content is aimed at companies and organizations eager to learn the essentials of building and managing a business with a small team. DE&I & Social ImpactDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) is a pivotal topic in today's discourse. It's crucial to educate individuals and companies on its real benefits. Diversity should be viewed as essential for upward mobility, not merely as an act of charity. The audience includes organizations dedicated to understanding and expanding diversity initiatives. Self-Care & Self-AwarenessAs a mother, entrepreneur, attorney, and stroke survivor, Ashley recognizes the significance of prioritizing health and listening to our bodies. It’s vital that everyone learns to care for themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. This message targets individuals aged 16 and older who are passionate about adopting a healthy lifestyle and pursuing personal growth. #BEST #STRAW #SHMSSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A power shift is underway at the EPA as former American Chemistry Council representatives are positioned to assume key roles under the Trump administration, potentially reshaping the agency's regulatory approach. Meanwhile, safety concerns remain paramount as the U.S. Chemical Safety Board continues investigating a deadly reactor explosion at a Louisville food additive plant that claimed two workers' lives. The CSB has also released new reports analyzing recent industrial accidents to prevent future incidents. In corporate news, major chemical and energy companies including BASF, Chevron, DuPont, and Shell have announced significant executive leadership changes that could influence industry direction in the coming months.

April 2, 2025 ~ Automakers continue to focus on sustainability and tariffs threaten to drive up input costs, the push for automotive circularity will be critical offset costs for Michigan consumers. Gina Oliver, Senior Director of Durable Markets at the American Chemistry Council, joins Kevin to discuss this.

Live from SXSW in Austin, Mia sits down with Rich James of Dow and Gina Oliver of the American Chemistry Council to talk all things automotive recycling. They break down how new plastics are making vehicles safer, lighter, and more efficient—and discuss breakthroughs that are keeping valuable materials out of landfills. This episode explores the path to sustainable automotives and why America has a real opportunity to lead the way.

Ralph welcomes Deepa Padmanabha, senior legal advisor to Greenpeace USA, to discuss that organization's looming trial against Energy Transfer Partners (builder of the Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing Rock) that threatens the constitutionally protected First Amendment right of citizens and citizen groups to protest. Plus, Josh Paul, former State Department employee, who resigned in protest over the Biden Administration's policy of sending weapons to support Israel's genocide in Gaza, returns to tell us about an organization he co-founded called “A New Policy,” which as the name suggests envisions an American policy toward the Middle East more in line with the “foundational principles of liberty, equality, democracy, and human rights; advancing American interests abroad; and protecting American freedoms at home.”Deepa Padmanabha is Senior Legal Advisor at Greenpeace USA, where she works closely with environmental activists seeking to exercise their First Amendment rights to promote systemic change. In September 2022, she testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on Greenpeace USA's experience with legal attacks from extractive industries and the importance of federal anti-SLAPP legislation. And her work has focused on defending Greenpeace entities in the US against two SLAPP lawsuits attempting to silence the organization's advocacy work.This was not a Greenpeace campaign—and that was very intentional. And so our very limited involvement was solidarity with the Indigenous tribes, the Indigenous water protectors that were carrying this fight…Personally, I don't think that Energy Transfer likes the optics of going after Indigenous people. I think that it's much easier to go after the “Big Greens”, the “agitators”, things like that—and they probably would be dealing with a much more difficult PR campaign if they went after members of tribes.Deepa PadmanabhaBack in 2016 and 2017, when the original civil RICO cases were filed against the Greenpeace entities (all of these fights started out as RICO), many groups across issue areas were deeply concerned that this would be the new tactic used to go to attack labor, to attack human rights, to attack every kind of organization imaginable. And so what we did at that time (Greenpeace USA was a part of it as well as other groups) is we've created a coalition called Protect the Protest. Protect the Protest is a coalition of organizations to provide support for individuals who are threatened with SLAPPs, who receive cease-and-desist letters, who might want help either finding a lawyer or communication support. Because we know that the individuals bringing these lawsuits want the fights to happen in silence. So a big part of the work that needs to be done—and that we do—is to bring attention to them.Deepa PadmanabhaPast SLAPP lawsuits by corporations intended to wear down the citizen groups, cost them all kinds of legal fees. There have been SLAPP lawsuits for citizen groups just having a news conference or citizen groups being part of a town meeting. Or in the case of Oprah Winfrey, who was sued by at Texas meat company because she had a critic of the meat industry on her show that reached millions of people. That case was settled. So, this is the furthest extension of suppression of free speech by these artificial entities called corporations.Ralph NaderJosh Paul is co-founder (with Tariq Habash) of A New Policy, which seeks to transform U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. He resigned from the State Department in October 2023 due to his disagreement with the Biden Administration's decision to rush lethal military assistance to Israel in the context of its war on Gaza. He had previously spent over 11 years working as a Director in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, which is responsible for U.S. defense diplomacy, security assistance, and arms transfers. He previously worked on security sector reform in both Iraq and the West Bank, with additional roles in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Army Staff, and as a Military Legislative Assistant for a Member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.I think that the time for quitting in protest over Gaza, unfortunately, in many ways, is greatly behind us. I think there will be a significant number of State Department officials who will be leaving in the coming days, weeks, and months. And this is a result of a push from the Trump administration to gut America's diplomatic corps, much as they did at the start of the previous Trump administration, but even more so this time around. What I'm hearing from former colleagues in the State Department is a sense of immense despair as they see freezes being placed on U.S. foreign assistance programs—including programs that do an immense amount of good around the world—and just a concern about the overall and impending collapse of American diplomacy.Josh PaulWe have to acknowledge the precedent set by President Biden. Not only in his unconditional support for Israel and its attacks on Gaza, its violations of international humanitarian law, but also in President Biden and Secretary Blinken's willingness to set aside U.S. laws when it came to, in particular, security assistance and arms transfers in order to continue that support. That is a precedent that I think all Americans should be concerned about regardless of their thoughts on the conflict itself.Josh PaulI would say that what we face in America is a problem set that runs much deeper than any change in administration, than any political party. There is an entrenched dynamic within American politics—an entrenched set of both political and economic incentives across our electoral system—that are maintaining U.S. unconditional support for Israel, regardless of what the American people might want.Josh PaulNews 1/31/251. Our top stories this week have to do with the betrayal of the so-called “Make America Healthy Again” or “MAHA” movement. First up, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – President Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Health of Human Services – found himself in the hot seat Wednesday as his confirmation hearings began. Kennedy, who is facing opposition both from Democrats who regard his anti-vaccine rhetoric as dangerous and Republicans who view him as too liberal, struggled to answer basic questions during these hearings. Perhaps most distressingly, he shilled for the disastrous Medicare privatization scheme known as “Medicare Advantage,” at one point saying that he himself is on a Medicare Advantage plan and that “more people would rather be on Medicare Advantage.” Kennedy went on to say most Americans would prefer to be on private insurance. As Matt Stoller of the American Economic Liberties Project writes, this is “basically Cato [Institute] style libertarianism.”2. Meanwhile, the Trump Administration is signaling they intend to scrap a proposed EPA rule to ban “forever chemicals” from Americans' drinking water, per the Spokesman-Review out of Spokane, Washington. Per this piece, “perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, abbreviated PFAS, are a set of man-made chemicals used in thousands of products over the decades. High levels of them have…been linked to cancers, heart disease, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, low birth weight and other diseases.” Shelving PFAS regulation was high on the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 wish list, though the Trump team had previously sent mixed messages on the topic. Trump's pick to oversee regulation of dangerous chemicals is Nancy Beck, a longtime executive at the American Chemistry Council.3. As if those betrayals weren't enough, Trump has also selected Ms. Kailee Buller as the Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For the past year, Buller has served as president & CEO of the National Oilseed Processors Association. More simply put, she is the top seed oil lobbyist in the nation. This is perhaps the most illustrative example of the MAHA bait and switch. Not only is the Trump administration spitting in the face of their own supporters and doing the opposite of what they promised in terms of cracking down on ultra-processed, unhealthy food – they are doing so in an openly and brazenly corrupt manner. Under Trump, regulatory agencies are on the auction block and will be sold to the highest bidder.4. In more health news, legendary investigative journalist Seymour Hersh has come out with a new story – and it's a doozy. According to Hersh's sources, the Trump administration mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic long before the public knew anything about the virus. He writes “I learned this week that a US intelligence asset at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China, where the Covid virus was first observed…provided early warning of a laboratory accident at Wuhan that led to a series of infections that was quickly spreading and initially seemed immune to treatment.” Hersh continues “early studies dealing with how to mitigate the oncoming plague, based on information from the Chinese health ministry about the lethal new virus, were completed late in 2019 by experts from America's National Institutes of Health and other research agencies.” Yet, “Despite their warnings, a series of preventative actions were not taken until the United States was flooded with cases of the virus.” Most damningly, Hersh's sources claim that “All of these studies…have been expunged from the official internal records in Washington, including any mention of the CIA's source inside the Chinese laboratory.” If true, this would be among the most catastrophic cases of indecision – and most sweeping coverup – in modern American history. Watch this space.5. Meanwhile, in more foreign affairs news, Progressive International reports that “For the first time in history,” Members of the United States Congress have joined with Members of Mexico's Cámara de Diputados to “oppose the escalating threats of U.S. military action against Mexico” and call to “strengthen the bonds of solidarity between our peoples.” This move of course comes amid ever-rising tensions between the United States and our southern neighbor, particularly as the GOP has in recent years taken up the idea of a full-blown invasion of Mexico. This letter was signed by many prominent U.S. progressives, including Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Summer Lee, AOC, Greg Casar and Raul Grijalva, as well as 23 Mexican deputies. One can only hope that this show of internationalism helps forestall further escalation with Mexico.6. Turning to the issue of corruption, former New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison for his role in a bribery scheme that included him acting as an unregistered agent of the Egyptian government, per the DOJ. Until 2024, Menendez had served as the Chairman or Ranking Member of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee – an ideal perch for a crooked politician. During sentencing, Menendez broke down and weepily begged the judge for leniency. Yet, almost immediately after the sentence was handed down, Menendez changed his tune and started sucking up to Trump in a transparent attempt to secure a pardon. Axios reports Menendez said “President Trump was right…This process is political, and it's corrupted to the core. I hope President Trump cleans up the cesspool and restores the integrity to the system.” Unfortunately, Trump's fragile ego makes him particularly susceptible to just this sort of appeal, so it would be no surprise if he does grant some form of clemency to the disgraced Senator.7. Likewise, New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears to feel the walls closing in with regard to his corrupt dealings with his Turkish benefactors. And just like Menendez, Adams' strategy appears to be to ingratiate himself with Trump world. On January 23rd, the New York Daily News reported that Adams had pledged to avoid publicly criticizing Trump. Adams has previously called Trump a “white supremacist.” Adams' simpering seems to having the intended effect. On January 29th, the New York Times reported “Senior Justice Department officials under President Trump have held discussions with federal prosecutors in Manhattan about the possibility of dropping their corruption case,” against Adams. This story notes that “The defense team is led by Alex Spiro, who is also the personal lawyer for Elon Musk.”8. Our final three stories this week have to do with organized labor. First, Bloomberg labor reporter Josh Eidelson reports Trump has ousted National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo. This alone is a tragedy; Abruzzo has been nothing short of a crusader on behalf of organized labor during her tenure. Yet, more troubling news quickly followed: Trump has unlawfully sacked Gwynne Wilcox a Democratic member of the labor board with no just cause. As Eidelson notes, the law forbids “firing board members absent neglect or malfeasance.” Wilcox was the first ever Black member of the NLRB and her unlawful removal gives Trump a working majority at the board. Expect to see a rapid slew of anti-worker decisions in the coming days.9. In some good news, independent journalist Ken Klippenstein reports that union collective bargaining agreements have successfully “thwart[ed]…Trump's return to work order.” Instead, the administration has been forced to issue a new order, stating “Supervisors should not begin discussions around the return to in-person work with bargaining unit employees until HHS fulfills its collective bargaining obligations.” In other words, even while every supposed legal guardrail, institutional norm, and political force of gravity wilts before Trump's onslaught, what is the one bulwark that still stands strong, protecting everyday working people? Their union.10. Our final story is a simple one. Jacobin labor journalist Alex Press reports that in Philadelphia, the first Whole Foods grocery store has voted to unionize. The nearly-300 workers at the store voted to affiliate with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1176. Whole Foods was sold to Amazon in 2017 and since then the e-tail giant has vigorously staved off unionization. Could this be the first crack in the dam? Only time will tell.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

In today's episode, Chemical Processing's Editor-in-Chief, Traci Purdum, will be reading this year's Chemical Industry Outlook, written by Martha Gilchrist Moore, chief economist and managing director of the American Chemistry Council, Washington, D.C.  Martha and the ACC have been offering Chemical Processing a glimpse into their economic crystal ball for several years. Here is what's in store for 2025.

When Matt Campana saw a YouTube video of a 3D printer creating prosthetic hands, what he really saw was an opportunity to make a difference. Little did he know how big a difference he would make.As Matt tells us, “The whole thing has been organic—from finding clients to participate to finding recipients. It's just happened exactly the way that it was supposed to.”It's true, cutting-edge technologies and giving back to those in need are not often associated with one another. However, as 3D printing technologies advance and become more accessible it has opened the door to using them for good. On this episode of Sustainably Speaking, we'll share Matt's incredible story and how he came to found Hands of Gratitude. The project works with corporate and school partners to assemble 3D printed prosthetic hands and distribute them to people around the world.While assembling a prosthetic hand may seem like a challenging endeavor, Gina Oliver, Senior Director, Automotive, at American Chemistry Council, shares her experience participating in the program.  This is an episode that will pull on your heart strings – and it might just inspire you to participate or, find your own unique way to give back. 

Karyn M. Schmidt, Senior Director, Regulatory & Scientific Affairs, American Chemistry Council, moderated Panel 1: Risk Management. The panelists included MaryAnn Hoff, Global Director Advocacy, EHS & Product Stewardship, PPG; Jonathan Kalmuss-Katz, Supervising Senior Attorney, Earthjustice; Eileen Murphy, Ph.D., Director, Existing Chemicals Risk Management Division, EPA; and Meredith Williams, Director, California Department of Toxic Substances Control. The panel discussed how EPA defines the “extent necessary” to control unreasonable risks and under what circumstances EPA will not seek to ban a chemical use, as well as EPA's final asbestos, methylene chloride, and proposed N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) risk management rules. More information on the risk management rules is available in our March 28, 2024, memorandum (asbestos), May 17, 2024, memorandum (methylene chloride), and June 21, 2024, memorandum (NMP). ALL MATERIALS IN THIS PODCAST ARE PROVIDED SOLELY FOR INFORMATIONAL  AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES. THE MATERIALS ARE NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE OR THE PROVISION OF LEGAL SERVICES. ALL LEGAL QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ANSWERED DIRECTLY BY A LICENSED ATTORNEY PRACTICING IN THE APPLICABLE AREA OF LAW. ©2024 Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.  All Rights Reserved

Join us at The Chemical Summit on October 8-9, 2024 to engage with great leaders, including many guests of The Chemical Show.Visit thechemicalsummit.com for more information and to register. Ep 178 Show Notes - How Collaboration, Customers, and Community Contribute to Sustainability Uncover the impactful stories behind the winners of American Chemistry Council's 2024 Sustainability Leadership Awards, as host Victoria Meyer dives into projects from Celanese, PPG, and DuPont. Kevin Norfleet from Celanese shares insights on their Carbon Capture and Utilization Project, a breakthrough in emissions reduction that won them the Circularity Award. Meanwhile, Garry Grant from PPG discusses their climate-friendly innovations in automotive coatings, a project that earned the Climate Award. Mary Reinthal from DuPont highlights their Clear Into the Future grant program, showcasing how DuPont is fostering community engagement and social responsibility across the globe. From land restoration in Michigan to urban forestry in Seoul, their initiatives reflect a deep commitment to societal and environmental betterment.   Join us to gain insights on the following topics this week: The why behind Celanese's CCU project, winner of ACC's Circularity Award Fitting into the circular space with CO2 circularity How PPG is reducing the energy intensity in the automotive paint shop with their new paint line, winning ACC's Climate award Opportunities to reduce power usage and CO2 production by taking it a different approach to paints and coatings and adhesives that go into automotive processes. Dupont's Clear into the Future project funding nonprofit organizations to work on sustainable development initiatives in the communities, winner of ACC's Social Responsibility and Community Engagement Award Creating community and local connection as employees of a Global company  Killer Quote: “There is an inherent circularity that exists within the chemical industry. If you just look at your business and your processes, you'll find that there's a lot of circularity because of efficiency, because we want to save money and save costs, and then save the environment." - Victoria Meyer, Host of The Chemical Show  Additional Links: ACC's 2024 Sustainability Leadership Awards Episode Part 1: Driving Innovation in Recycling: Inside ACC's Sustainability Awards with Cyclyx and EFC Gases Chris Jahn: Sustainability Starts with Chemistry with ACC CEO Chris Jahn Michael Heinz: BASF CEO Michael Heinz on Sustainability, Energy, and Leadership Bonny Tully: Achieving Success in Chemicals: Sustainability and Leadership with Bonnie Tully of Evonik Daryl Roberts: Careers, Care, and The Future of Chemicals with Daryl Roberts of DuPont Kevin Norfleet: Carbon Capture and Customer Value with Kevin Norfleet of Celanese ***Don't miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.  ***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review. ***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com  ***Thank you to our sponsor Veson Nautical:From multi-jurisdictional regulations to geopolitics and decarbonization, the maritime ecosystem is more complex than ever. This is creating unprecedented levels of risk exposure. With trusted maritime data and built-for-purpose workflows from Veson Nautical, you can confidently make decisions to better manage risk and maximize profit.For over twenty years, Veson has been co-innovating with the world's largest buyers and sellers of bulk marine freight.  Join their client community and find your decision advantage. Learn more at veson.com 

Discover how necessity is driving sustainable innovation in the chemical industry with host Victoria Meyer and guests Robert Dishman of Cyclx and Matt Adams of EFC Gases & Advanced Materials, winners of American Chemistry Council's 2024 Sustainability Leadership Awards. Learn about Cyclyx's pioneering partnership with industry giants like ExxonMobil and the opening of the world's first chemical composition analysis centers (CCCs) to revolutionize recycling efforts. Robert Dishman delves into Cyclyx's mission to increase plastic collection and eliminate landfill-bound plastics, while also encouraging municipal and consumer engagement. Meanwhile, Matt Adams introduces EFC Gases' award-winning Neon Gas Recycling System, which enhances supply chain stability and promotes circularity in semiconductor manufacturing. Victoria explores the environmental and cost-saving benefits of EFC's technologies along with their long-term goal of sustainable pricing for rare gases.  Gain insights on the following topics this week: Recognizing ACC's 2024 Sustainability Leadership Awards An introduction to EFC Gases and the importance of Neon in semi-conductors How a supply-chain crisis inspired EFC's Neon Gas Recycling System The role of Collaboration in plastics recycling and circularity Cyclyx's formation by ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell and subsequent growth Local communities are critical to success Killer Quote: "Necessity drives innovation, and nowhere is that more evident than in our efforts to combat plastic waste and stabilize supply chains through advanced recycling and sustainable solutions." - Victoria Meyer, Host of The Chemical Show Additional Links: Chris Jahn: Sustainability Starts with Chemistry with ACC CEO Chris Jahn  Michael Heinz: BASF CEO Michael Heinz on Sustainability, Energy, and Leadership  Bonny Tully: Achieving Success in Chemicals: Sustainability and Leadership with Bonnie Tully of Evonik  Daryl Roberts: Careers, Care, and The Future of Chemicals with Daryl Roberts of DuPont  Kevin Norfleet: Carbon Capture and Customer Value with Kevin Norfleet of Celanese    ***Don't miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.  ***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review. ***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com  

Ep 167 Show Notes - Carbon Capture and Sustainability with Kevin Norfleet of CelaneseGet an insider's view of sustainability in the chemical industry with Kevin Norfleet, Global Sustainability Director at Celanese, as he joins Victoria Meyer on The Chemical Show®. Kevin shares his journey from chemical engineering to spearheading sustainability efforts at Celanese, including the company's innovative initiatives like the large-scale carbon capture and utilization project for methanol production in Texas. Victoria and Kevin delve into the evolving demands for sustainable products, discussing which market segments are leading the charge and how companies can offer competitive and impactful eco-friendly solutions. Additionally, Kevin touches on the importance of sustainability in talent recruitment and career development within the chemical industry, offering valuable advice for aspiring professionals. This episode was recorded at the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care® and Sustainability Conference. Don't miss the following topics this week:Methanol as a scalable building block for sustainabilityInvesting in Carbon Capture & Utilization (CCU) to reduce carbon footprintViewing sustainability through a customer's lensSustainability as an employee value propositionThe importance of agility in career successKiller Quote: "We see sustainability as really an exciting opportunity for our business... looking at sustainability both as the right thing to do, but also something that's good business." - Kevin Norfleet***Don't miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. ***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com Wondering how we produce our podcast?We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoriaWe use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t

In this episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we explore the latest developments in international efforts to reach a global treaty on plastic pollution.  In late April, more than 170 countries gathered in Ottawa, Canada, to negotiate a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution with a view to agreeing on a global treaty by the end of 2024. The countries aim to reach a deal in the next gathering slated to take place Nov. 25 through Dec. 1 in Busan, South Korea.   Today we're covering the outcome of the recent Ottawa treaty talks, the issues that remain to be hashed out, and what needs to happen between now and the final round of negotiations.    We talk with Erin Simon, Vice President and Head of Plastic Waste and Business at international conservation organization WWF, which together with The Ellen MacArthur Foundation convened the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty. Erin tells us that countries have a lot of details left to work out in ad hoc meetings in the coming months and are effectively "pulling an all-nighter" between now and Busan. To understand how one big company that uses plastics in its products is approaching this topic, we speak to Darci Vetter, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Public Policy at food, snack and beverage company PepsiCo, which is part of the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty. "We definitely want to see those product design requirements, those common definitions, the principles, and as much specificity around extended producer responsibility and waste management — those are very important to us, and global rules that can set the stage for scalability within markets are critical," Darci tells us.  At the same time, "we know that the countries around the table are starting from very, very different places," she says. "So there will need to be some of that flexibility."  We also talk with Stewart Harris, Senior Director of Global Plastics Policy at the trade group American Chemistry Council. Stewart says that one outstanding question for governments is which measures are going to be legally binding and which will be voluntary.  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out our previous episodes of the ESG Insider podcast:   What companies are doing to address the plastic pollution problem: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/what-companies-are-doing-to-address-the-plastic-pollution-problem   What's at stake in UN plastic pollution treaty talks: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/what-s-at-stake-in-un-plastic-pollution-treaty-talks   How plastic impacts companies, investors, public health and the environment: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-plastic-impacts-companies-investors-public-health-and-the-environment   This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global.    Copyright ©2024 by S&P Global   DISCLAIMER   By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.   S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST. 

Ep 166 Show Notes Explore the pivotal role data and AI are playing in transforming safety and sustainability at DuPont with Daryl Roberts, Chief Engineering and Operations Officer. At ACC's Responsible Care® and Sustainability Conference, Daryl shares his journey in the chemical industry, fueled by a family heritage of engineering, and his career progression through various roles in notable companies like Eastman Kodak, Arkema, and DuPont.Daryl highlights DuPont's unwavering commitment to Responsible Care and sustainability, detailing innovative approaches ranging from electric vehicle components to water filtration systems. The discussion delves into how DuPont leverages data and AI for predictive maintenance and operational safety, ultimately aiming to foster a sustainable and safe work environment. Aspiring leaders can glean invaluable advice on taking risks and the importance of continuous learning in advancing their careers.This episode was recorded at the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care® and Sustainability Conference. Be sure to explore the following topics this week:Career in chemicals... a family legacyHarnessing Responsible Care as a measure of trust and community valueDuPont's 3 Pillars of SustainabilityDeveloping Products that Drive Safe LivingHow Data and AI drive sustainability and operationsKey Skills in the Future WorkforceLifelong learning to drive career successKiller Quote: "We value not only our employees and contractor safety, but we value their safety and the safety in the environment in which we share with them. And it is something we have to earn, and it's something we have to work at every day." - Daryl Roberts***Don't miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. ***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com Wondering how we produce our podcast?We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoriaWe use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t

Ep 165 Show Notes - Achieving Success in Chemicals: Sustainability and Leadership with Bonnie Tully of EvonikBonnie Tully, North American President of Evonik, joins host Victoria Meyer to tackle Responsible Care®, the ambitious strides in sustainability, and the transformative shifts in industry culture. Bonnie shares compelling insights and actionable strategies this week on The Chemical Show. This episode is a masterclass in leadership, sustainability, and making big impacts through small steps, all while navigating the ever-evolving demands of the chemical industry. Don't miss Bonnie's take on fostering an innovative culture and her empowering advice for the next generation of industry leaders!This episode was recorded at the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care® and Sustainability Conference. Victoria and Bonnie discuss the following:Responsible Care principles at EvonikEvonik's sustainability pillars: next-generation solutions, technology, and culture.Customer demand for sustainable solutionsCultural shift towards sustainability within Evonik and employee engagement.Women in leadership roles & Bonnie's career adviceKiller Quote: "It's really the employees seeing sustainable opportunities and bringing them forward... and then management saying, hey, we see a business case here and pushing the organization to work towards sustainability." - Bonnie Tulley***Don't miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. ***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com Wondering how we produce our podcast?We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoriaWe use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t

Discover how BASF, a global frontrunner in the chemical industry, is transforming its commitment to sustainability into innovative practices and leadership. Michael Heinz, CEO of BASF North America joins host Victoria Meyer to discuss the significance of Responsible Care and how BASF is spearheading sustainability efforts globally. Michael highlights what it means to integrate circularity and greenhouse gas reduction into business strategies and shares more about BASF's ambitious goals.This episode was recorded at American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care® and Sustainability Conference. Learn more about the following this week:[02:25] The Role of Responsible Care® at BASF[03:16] Aligning industry priorities for Sustainability[05:32] How BASF is adapting to economic, supply chain, and energy challenges [07:53] Navigating global and regional business challenges[09:13] Leadership lessons: Creating a successful careerThe conversation also explores Michael's personal leadership philosophy and insights into career success, offering a perspective on driving industry change amidst economic and regulatory landscapes. Highlighting the interconnection between embracing sustainable practices and maintaining business innovation, this episode provides valuable insights on the chemical industry's pathway toward a more sustainable future.Killer Quote: "You have to realize that once someone gives you a job where they tell you this: ‘You can do it easily', you're at the end of your career." — Michael Heinz***Don't miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. ***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com Wondering how we produce our podcast?We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoriaWe use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t

Chris Jahn, President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, discusses what propels the chemical industry forward amid global challenges. From regulatory challenges to sustainability initiatives and the characteristics that define impactful leadership, this episode of The Chemical Show spans several pressing topics that are top-of-mind for every business leader today.Host Victoria Meyer talks with Chris at the ACC's Responsible Care and Sustainability Conference where Chris elaborates on the importance of sustainability, regulatory challenges, and the significance of the upcoming UN Plastics Treaty negotiations. Victoria and Chris also discuss the role of AI and data analytics in enhancing operational efficiency and regulatory processes. Victoria also shares key insights from the conference. Access ACC's Sustainability Report here.Join Victoria and Chris as they discuss the following:Key insights from ACC's Responsible Care and Sustainability ConferenceFour strategic pillars of ACCMember collaboration and association leadership at ACCUpdate on UN Plastics Treaty negotiationsIntroducing ACC's first Sustainability ReportCharacteristics of great leadershipKiller Quote: "It is not some entrepreneur with a crazy app that's going to solve that problem. It's engineers and scientists solving problems at scale. That's what's going to address climate change."  - Chris Jahn***Don't miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. ***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com Wondering how we produce our podcast?We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoriaWe use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t

More than 170 countries will gather in Ottawa, Canada between April 23 and April 29 to negotiate a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution with a view to agreeing on a global treaty by the end of 2024. In this episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we'll hear from stakeholders who will be present at the negotiations about key issues being debated and the potential implications.  Willemijn Peeters discusses policies and actions to increase recycling and reuse of plastics and reduce plastic pollution. Willemijn is Founder and CEO of circularity consultancy Searious Business, which works with companies to manage their plastic use. She's also an Adviser to the UN on the global plastics agreement.  We speak to Carroll Muffett, CEO of the Center for International Environmental Law, a nonprofit advocacy organization. He says that transforming and reducing plastic production will be one of the key topics at the negotiations.   "We are already overwhelmed with plastic pollution and the problem is only getting worse. The only way to address that is to dramatically and rapidly reduce the amount of plastics that are entering our world," Carroll says. "These negotiations should be a wake-up call to any business that is anchored in the continuing production and use of plastic."  And we hear the industry perspective from Stewart Harris, Senior Director of Global Plastics Policy at the trade group the American Chemistry Council, who says demand for plastic will continue to grow.   "Reaching an agreement where the majority of countries can join is an incredibly high priority for the plastics industry," he says. "When we get all the countries sitting around the table, we get an agreement where they can all join, that's what's going to drive and have the most impact in terms of solving this issue of plastic pollution."  You can listen to the first episode of our miniseries on plastics here: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-plastic-impacts-companies-investors-public-health-and-the-environment    This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global.       Copyright ©2024 by S&P Global       DISCLAIMER       By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.

A recently released report from European scientists says there are 16,000 chemicals in plastic materials around the world. 欧洲科学家最近发布的一份报告称，全球塑料材料中含有 16,000 种化学物质。 The report said not enough is known about the safety of all those chemicals. They estimate that about 25 percent of these chemicals are possibly harmful to human health or the environment. 报告称，人们对所有这些化学品的安全性了解还不够。他们估计，这些化学物质中约有 25% 可能对人类健康或环境有害。 The Norwegian Research Council supported the creation of the report. It was released as officials are negotiating a United Nations treaty on plastic pollution. The U.N. estimates 400 million metric tons of plastic waste are produced every year. 挪威研究委员会支持该报告的编写。该报告发布之际，官员们正在就联合国塑料污染条约进行谈判。联合国估计每年产生 4 亿吨塑料垃圾。 Jane Muncke helped write the report. She is with the Swiss nonprofit Food Packaging Forum. She said to deal with plastic pollution, people must look at the “full life cycle of plastics.” 简·蒙克帮助撰写了这份报告。她是瑞士非营利食品包装论坛的成员。她说，要解决塑料污染，人们必须着眼于“塑料的整个生命周期”。 Researchers fear chemicals from plastics can spread into water and food. 研究人员担心塑料中的化学物质会扩散到水和食物中。 Muncke said, "We're finding hundreds, if not thousands, of plastic chemicals in people now and some of them have been linked to adverse health outcomes.” 蒙克说：“我们现在在人们体内发现了数百甚至数千种塑料化学物质，其中一些与不良健康结果有关。” Activists say such effects include possible harm to the reproductive system and cardiovascular disease. 活动人士表示，这种影响包括可能对生殖系统造成伤害和心血管疾病。 Martin Wagner is the lead writer of the study. He is an environmental scientist at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. He said researchers find hundreds, if not thousands, of chemicals in everyday products when they look for them. 马丁·瓦格纳是这项研究的主要作者。他是挪威科技大学的环境科学家。他说，研究人员在日常产品中寻找数百甚至数千种化学物质。Kimberly Wise White is with the American Chemistry Council, an industry group. She said the findings “ignore real-world exposures.” She added the findings “paint an incomplete picture” for policy makers and the public. The plastics industry has said any worldwide treaty should support recycling and re-use of plastic. 金伯利·怀斯·怀特 (Kimberly Wise White) 是美国化学理事会（一个行业组织）的成员。她表示，研究结果“忽略了现实世界的风险”。她补充说，调查结果为政策制定者和公众“描绘了一幅不完整的图景”。塑料行业表示，任何全球条约都应支持塑料的回收和再利用。 But the writers of the recent report said that only dealing with plastic waste does not go far enough. They said there is a need for more information on chemicals in plastics, including recycled products. About 25 percent of the chemicals found lacked information on their chemical identity, the report said. 但最近报告的作者表示，仅处理塑料垃圾还不够。他们表示，需要更多有关塑料中化学物质（包括回收产品）的信息。报告称，大约 25% 的发现化学品缺乏化学成分信息。Wagner said the problem “is the chemical complexity of plastics.” He is a leading member of the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty. It is an organization of scientists and experts seeking to advise the plastics treaty process. 瓦格纳表示，问题“在于塑料的化学复杂性”。他是有效塑料条约科学家联盟的主要成员。它是一个由科学家和专家组成的组织，致力于为塑料条约进程提供建议。 Wagner said, "Often producers don't really know which kind of chemicals they have in their products and that comes from very complex value chains." 瓦格纳说：“生产商通常并不真正知道他们的产品中含有哪种化学物质，而且这些化学物质来自非常复杂的价值链。” Six percent of the chemicals found in plastics are regulated internationally. Wagner said that without regulations, there is no reason for companies to identify what is in the plastics. 塑料中 6% 的化学物质受到国际监管。瓦格纳表示，如果没有法规，公司就没有理由识别塑料中的成分。 Last year, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) said there were around 13,000 chemicals in plastics. 去年，联合国环境规划署 (UNEP) 表示，塑料中含有约 13,000 种化学物质。 Negotiations will continue in Ottawa, Canada. The aim is to finish a version of a treaty by December in the South Korean city of Busan.谈判将在加拿大渥太华继续进行。目标是在 12 月之前在韩国釜山完成条约版本。

The average liter of bottled water has nearly a quarter million invisible pieces of very small plastic known as nanoplastics, a recent study says.最近的一项研究表明，每升瓶装水中平均含有近 25 万个看不见的非常小的塑料，即纳米塑料。Researchers found the nanoplastics with a microscope using dual lasers.研究人员用双激光显微镜发现了纳米塑料。Scientists long figured there were lots of these very small plastic pieces. But until researchers at Columbia and Rutgers universities did their calculations, they never knew how many or what kind.科学家们长期以来一直认为有很多这样的非常小的塑料碎片。 但在哥伦比亚大学和罗格斯大学的研究人员进行计算之前，他们永远不知道有多少或是什么种类。Looking at five samples each of three common bottled water brands, researchers found particle levels ranged from 110,000 to 400,000 per liter. The average was around 240,000, the study said. The research appeared recently in the publication Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.研究人员对三个常见瓶装水品牌各五个样本进行了观察，发现颗粒物含量在每升 110,000 至 400,000 个之间。 研究称，平均人数约为 240,000 人。 这项研究最近发表在《美国国家科学院院刊》上。Nanoparticles are particles that are less than a micron in size. In comparison, a human hair is about 83 microns wide.纳米颗粒是尺寸小于一微米的颗粒。 相比之下，人类头发的宽度约为 83 微米。Previous studies have looked at slightly bigger microplastics that range from 5 millimeters, which could be seen by human eyes, to one micron. About 10 to 100 times more nanoplastics than microplastics were discovered in bottled water, the study found.之前的研究关注的是稍大的微塑料，范围从人眼可见的 5 毫米到 1 微米。 研究发现，瓶装水中发现的纳米塑料比微塑料多约 10 至 100 倍。Much of the plastic seems to be coming from the bottle and the filtration system to clean the water itself, said the study's lead writer Naixin Qian of Columbia University.该研究的主要作者、哥伦比亚大学的钱乃新表示，大部分塑料似乎来自瓶子和过滤系统，以净化水本身。She would not name the three brands because researchers want more samples and they want to study more brands. Still, she said they were common and bought at a Walmart, a popular store in the U.S.她不会说出这三个品牌的名字，因为研究人员想要更多样本，他们想要研究更多品牌。 不过，她说它们很常见，是在美国一家受欢迎的沃尔玛商店购买的。Researchers still cannot answer the big question: Are those nanoplastic pieces harmful to health?研究人员仍然无法回答这个大问题：这些纳米塑料碎片对健康有害吗？“That's currently under review. We don't know if it's dangerous or how dangerous,” said study co-writer Phoebe Stapleton of Rutgers University. “We do know that they are getting into the tissues (of mammals, including people) … and the current research is looking at what they're doing in the cells.”“目前正在审查中。 我们不知道它是否危险或有多危险，”研究报告的合著者、罗格斯大学的菲比·斯特普尔顿说。 “我们确实知道它们正在进入（哺乳动物，包括人类）的组织……目前的研究正在研究它们在细胞中的作用。”The International Bottled Water Association said in a statement: “There currently is both a lack of standardized (measuring) methods and no scientific” agreement on the possible health effects of nano- and microplastic particles. The statement added, “Therefore, media reports about these particles in drinking water do nothing more than unnecessarily scare consumers.”国际瓶装水协会在一份声明中表示：“目前，对于纳米和微塑料颗粒可能对健康的影响，既缺乏标准化（测量）方法，也没有科学的”共识。 声明补充说，“因此，媒体关于饮用水中这些颗粒的报道只不过是不必要地吓唬消费者。”The American Chemistry Council, which represents plastics manufacturers, declined to immediately comment.代表塑料制造商的美国化学理事会拒绝立即发表评论。The Associated Press spoke with four co-writers of the study. All of them said they would cut back on their bottled water use.美联社采访了该研究的四位合著者。 他们所有人都表示将减少瓶装水的使用。Columbia chemist Wei Min said he has reduced his bottled water use by half. Stapleton said she now depends more on filtered water at home in New Jersey.哥伦比亚化学家魏敏表示，他已将瓶装水的使用量减少了一半。 斯泰普尔顿说，她现在更多地依赖新泽西州家里的过滤水。But study co-author Beizhan Yan, a Columbia environmental chemist who increased his tap water usage, pointed out that filters themselves can be a problem by introducing plastics.但该研究的合著者、哥伦比亚环境化学家严北战（Beizhan Yan）增加了自来水的使用量，他指出，引入塑料后过滤器本身可能会成为一个问题。“There's just no win,” Stapleton said.“根本没有胜利，”斯台普顿说。

In this episode of Sustainably Speaking, Ross Eisenberg, president of America's Plastic Makers® at the American Chemistry Council delves into his journey, sharing his experience advocating for circular and sustainable solutions and looking at priorities for this year and beyond. He also shines a light on the challenges of implementing federal and international policy on sustainability. Ross and Mia also go head-to-head on a game of sustainability trivia, sharing fun facts about the history of recycling, sustainability, and plastics.

The average liter of bottled water has nearly a quarter million invisible pieces of very small plastic known as nanoplastics, a recent study says. 最近的一项研究表明，每升瓶装水中平均含有近 25 万个看不见的非常小的塑料，即纳米塑料。 Researchers found the nanoplastics with a microscope using dual lasers. 研究人员用双激光显微镜发现了纳米塑料。 Scientists long figured there were lots of these very small plastic pieces. But until researchers at Columbia and Rutgers universities did their calculations, they never knew how many or what kind. 科学家们长期以来一直认为有很多这样的非常小的塑料碎片。 但在哥伦比亚大学和罗格斯大学的研究人员进行计算之前，他们永远不知道有多少或是什么种类。 Looking at five samples each of three common bottled water brands, researchers found particle levels ranged from 110,000 to 400,000 per liter. The average was around 240,000, the study said. The research appeared recently in the publication Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 研究人员对三个常见瓶装水品牌各五个样本进行了观察，发现颗粒物含量在每升 110,000 至 400,000 个之间。 研究称，平均人数约为 240,000 人。 这项研究最近发表在《美国国家科学院院刊》上。 Nanoparticles are particles that are less than a micron in size. In comparison, a human hair is about 83 microns wide. 纳米颗粒是尺寸小于一微米的颗粒。 相比之下，人类头发的宽度约为 83 微米。 Previous studies have looked at slightly bigger microplastics that range from 5 millimeters, which could be seen by human eyes, to one micron. About 10 to 100 times more nanoplastics than microplastics were discovered in bottled water, the study found. 之前的研究关注的是稍大的微塑料，范围从人眼可见的 5 毫米到 1 微米。 研究发现，瓶装水中发现的纳米塑料比微塑料多约 10 至 100 倍。Much of the plastic seems to be coming from the bottle and the filtration system to clean the water itself, said the study's lead writer Naixin Qian of Columbia University. 该研究的主要作者、哥伦比亚大学的钱乃新表示，大部分塑料似乎来自瓶子和过滤系统，以净化水本身。 She would not name the three brands because researchers want more samples and they want to study more brands. Still, she said they were common and bought at a Walmart, a popular store in the U.S. 她不会说出这三个品牌的名字，因为研究人员想要更多样本，他们想要研究更多品牌。 不过，她说它们很常见，是在美国一家受欢迎的沃尔玛商店购买的。 Researchers still cannot answer the big question: Are those nanoplastic pieces harmful to health? 研究人员仍然无法回答这个大问题：这些纳米塑料碎片对健康有害吗？ “That's currently under review. We don't know if it's dangerous or how dangerous,” said study co-writer Phoebe Stapleton of Rutgers University. “We do know that they are getting into the tissues (of mammals, including people) … and the current research is looking at what they're doing in the cells.” “目前正在审查中。 我们不知道它是否危险或有多危险，”研究报告的合著者、罗格斯大学的菲比·斯特普尔顿说。 “我们确实知道它们正在进入（哺乳动物，包括人类）的组织……目前的研究正在研究它们在细胞中的作用。” The International Bottled Water Association said in a statement: “There currently is both a lack of standardized (measuring) methods and no scientific” agreement on the possible health effects of nano- and microplastic particles. The statement added, “Therefore, media reports about these particles in drinking water do nothing more than unnecessarily scare consumers.” 国际瓶装水协会在一份声明中表示：“目前，对于纳米和微塑料颗粒可能对健康的影响，既缺乏标准化（测量）方法，也没有科学的”共识。 声明补充说，“因此，媒体关于饮用水中这些颗粒的报道只不过是不必要地吓唬消费者。” The American Chemistry Council, which represents plastics manufacturers, declined to immediately comment. 代表塑料制造商的美国化学理事会拒绝立即发表评论。 The Associated Press spoke with four co-writers of the study. All of them said they would cut back on their bottled water use. 美联社采访了该研究的四位合著者。 他们所有人都表示将减少瓶装水的使用。 Columbia chemist Wei Min said he has reduced his bottled water use by half. Stapleton said she now depends more on filtered water at home in New Jersey. 哥伦比亚化学家魏敏表示，他已将瓶装水的使用量减少了一半。 斯泰普尔顿说，她现在更多地依赖新泽西州家里的过滤水。 But study co-author Beizhan Yan, a Columbia environmental chemist who increased his tap water usage, pointed out that filters themselves can be a problem by introducing plastics. 但该研究的合著者、哥伦比亚环境化学家严北战（Beizhan Yan）增加了自来水的使用量，他指出，引入塑料后过滤器本身可能会成为一个问题。 “There's just no win,” Stapleton said. “根本没有胜利，”斯台普顿说。

On this episode, I'm thrilled to welcome Raj Gupta, Former Chairman of APTIV PLC; Former Chairman and CEO of Rohm and Haas; Past Chairman of the American Chemistry Council and the Society of Chemical Industry America Section; and Former Chairman of Avantor Inc. Raj recounts his inspiring journey from a small Indian village to leading a global corporation. He discusses the profound impact of his upbringing, the challenges and milestones of his career, and the values that have shaped his leadership philosophy.Key Takeaways:(01:21) The influence of Raj's parents on his upbringing.(05:11) The importance of well-rounded development in Raj's early life.(10:29) Raj reflects on the tragic murder of his mother and its impact.(16:49) The career and resilience of Raj's brother in the Indian Navy.(25:24) Raj's approach to overcoming personal and professional biases.(31:19) The strategic collaboration between IIT Bombay and Cornell University.(39:07) Job market challenges during Raj's early career in the US.(43:05) Raj's decision to pursue an MBA in finance at Drexel University.(01:12:09) Raj's out-of-the-box thinking and approachable leadership style.(01:19:13) The legacy Raj hopes to leave through family and mentorship.Resources Mentioned:Raj Gupta - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raj-gupta-10b99241/"Eight Dollars and a Dream: My American Journey" by Raj Gupta - https://www.amazon.com/Eight-Dollars-Dream-American-Journey-ebook/dp/B093YX9D9H/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Eight+Dollars+and+a+Dream%3A+My+American+Journey&qid=1699458204&sr=8-12250720Harvard Business Review article - https://hbr.org/2014/12/overcome-your-biases-and-build-a-great-teamSanjay Puri - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjaykpuri/Alliance for US India Business - https://www.linkedin.com/company/alliance-for-us-india-business/Thanks for listening to the Indianness podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation with leaders of Indian origin. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the show. #Indian #IndiaBusiness #India #Indianness

MDJ Script/ Top Stories for Sept 30th Publish Date:  Sept 29th   Commercial: Henssler :15   From the Henssler Financial Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast   Today is Saturday, September 30th and happy heavenly birthday to NFL running back Jamal Anderson ***Jamal Anderson PxP*** I'm Dan Radcliffe and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Engineered Solutions of Georgia. Underwood named Cobb EMC board chairman Man gets 15 years for assaulting Acworth officer and motel guests Government shutdown threatens to hit Georgians hard Plus, Bruce Jenkins catches up with Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets to discuss working for Ingles. All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe! BREAK: CU of GA – ESOG STORY 1: Underwood named Cobb EMC board chairman Rudy Underwood has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Cobb EMC, succeeding David Tennant. Cobb EMC is a member-owned electric cooperative with nine directors representing geographical districts across a five-county service area. Underwood brings over 30 years of experience in managing public affairs, public policy, and public relations issues with membership-based organizations. He currently serves as the Vice President of Government Affairs for the American Chemistry Council and has held leadership roles on various local, state, and national boards. Underwood holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in public and organizational communications from the University of Georgia.....…….Get more stories like this from mdjonline.com     STORY 2: Man gets 15 years for assaulting Acworth officer, motel guests Kelly Michael Holcomb, a Georgia man, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, with the first 15 years to be served behind bars, for multiple felonies, including assaulting guests and a police officer at an Acworth motel. On December 17, 2022, Acworth police responded to a call about Holcomb, who was naked and attacking people at the Deerfield Lodge. Holcomb also attacked Officer Taneisha Palarche, knocking out one of her teeth and attempting to gouge her eyes out. He had also broken into a motel room and attacked a woman and a man. Holcomb admitted to using methamphetamine before the assault.   STORY 3: Government shutdown threatens to hit Georgians hard With the threat of a government shutdown looming, Georgia Democrats are warning of the potential consequences, including lost paychecks for service members and federal civilian employees, interrupted Social Security and welfare benefits, and closed national parks. The U.S. Senate is debating a stopgap funding bill to prevent the shutdown, but a group of far-right House Republicans, including Georgia Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Andrew Clyde, is blocking efforts to pass a short-term spending bill. Democrats accuse these Republicans of risking Georgians' livelihoods in pursuit of their extreme agenda. The shutdown could affect service members, federal employees, seniors, and low-income families in Georgia.................…..(pause)   We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info.   We'll be right back Break: ELON – JRM – TEDS   STORY 4: 5 things to do this weekend in Cobb County Looking for weekend plans in Cobb County? Here are five exciting events to check out. Sleepy Hollow Farm in Powder Springs offers fantastic fall activities for the whole family. Enjoy tractor rides, a corn maze, pumpkin patch, kids' games, farm animals, and more. General admission tickets start at $14, with prices varying based on group size and date. The farm is open from Wednesday to Sunday, but remember to arrive an hour before closing for admission. Acworth is hosting a Classic Car Cruise at Logan Farm Park on Saturday from 3 to 8 p.m. While the event is free for the public, there's a $5 entry fee for participating vehicles. All proceeds go to the Horizon Field, a special needs sports facility in Acworth. Don't miss trunk or treating and a costume contest! Join College Football Saturday at Smyrna Market Village, featuring a broadcast of the UGA vs. Auburn game on a massive LED screen. Enjoy a live DJ, cornhole, prizes, giveaways, and even American Axe Throwing. Admission is free, so bring your lawn chairs and soak up the tailgate atmosphere. Electric Avenue at the Avenue East Cobb on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. promises live music from local artists. Set up your spot in Central Boulevard, but please leave your coolers and outside beverages at home. Bring your own tailgate chairs for seating. Head to East Cobb Park on Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. for Music in the Park, sponsored by Wellstar Health System. It's an afternoon of free music and family fun you won't want to miss!   STORY 5: 2023 MPCS AP Scholars reach exceptional pass rate A total of 81 students and recent graduates from Mount Paran Christian School have earned Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar Awards for 2023 due to their outstanding performance on AP Exams. In the past five years, this is the highest number of AP exams administered at the school, with 183 high school students taking a total of 403 exams. Impressively, 87% of AP students at MPCS received scores of 3 or higher. Seven subjects achieved a 100% pass rate, while six others had a pass rate of 90% or higher. Notably, two students, Claire Finch and Chelsea Parada, received perfect scores on their AP exam in Drawing, a feat achieved by only 308 students nationwide.   We'll be back in a moment Break:   POWERS – Ingles 1 – Dayco   STORY 6: LEAH And now here is Bruce Jenkins conversation with Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets to discuss working at Ingles.   STORY 7: ......………….…Back with final thoughts after this. Break: DRAKE –  Henssler :60 Signoff- Thanks again for hanging out with us on today's Marietta Daily Journal podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Gwinnett Daily Post, the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties, or the Paulding County News Podcast. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at MDJonline.com. Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. www.henssler.com  www.ingles-markets.com  www.cuofga.org  www.drakerealty.com  www.daycosystems.com  www.powerselectricga.com  www.esogrepair.com  www.elonsalon.com  www.jrmmanagement.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plastic is the dominant material of modern life, used in everything from furniture to cars to packaging to medical equipment. In most parts of the world it's hard to live a single day without coming into contact with plastic. But as its use has exploded over the past century, so have the problems associated with it. Plastic pollution has created huge islands of waste in our oceans; microplastics have been found in freshly fallen Antarctic snow, and even in human blood. This week delegates from nearly 200 countries have been in Paris for UN-sponsored talks aimed at developing a landmark treaty to end plastic pollution. But how could such a treaty work? What could other solutions to the scourge of plastic pollution - or 'stupid plastic' - look like? And does the world really want to live without plastic? Joining Shaun Ley are panellists - David Azoulay, environmental lawyer and a director at the Centre for International Environmental Law based in Geneva, Switzerland. Sherri Mason, Director of Sustainability and Professor of Chemistry at Penn State University, Lake Erie campus. Shahriar Hossain from the Environment and Social Development Organisation based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Also featuring - Ambassador Ilana Seid who represents the Pacific nation of Palau at the United Nations, and chairs the Pacific Small Islands Developing States Group. Joshua Baca is Vice President of Plastics at the American Chemistry Council. Produced by - Imogen Wallace and Rumella Dasgupta (Photo: Plastic bag drifting in the Botnia Gulf,Finland; Credit: Olivier Morin/AFP)

FreightWaves' Mike Baudendistel and Joanna Marsh interview Chris Jahn, President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, which represents leading chemical companies, including major railroad shippers.  Follow the People Speaking Rail Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows

Based in Washington, DC, GW alumna and Wolcott Fellow Cherie Weible has extensive international business experience in trade policy, international market access, and commercial diplomacy. In this episode, she shares how important it is in a global career to be open to all opportunities and to take calculated risks as she did, moving from a geographic comfort zone of Europe for Southeast Asia and leaving the public sector for the private sector (she's now at the American Chemistry Council). Cherie shares tips on how she navigates the challenges of working in a complicated industry with 63 counterparts around the world and the necessity of being able to collaborate and build teams across cultures and often virtually. About Our Guest Cherie Weible is the senior director of Strategy and Global Affairs, Responsible Care®, Sustainability and Market Outreach for the American Chemistry Council. Although she's based in Washington, DC, Cherie has extensive international business experience in trade policy, international market access, global government affairs and commercial diplomacy, which she uses to advance the commercial interests of U.S. companies around the world. A natural communicator, Cherie builds relationships with stakeholders and has worked across Asia, Europe and Latin America, including 15 years at the U.S. Commerce Department. She is also a GW alumna! About the Global Careers Podcast Series This podcast presents inspiring stories from seasoned professionals who have embraced a global role and reaped the benefits. We offer practical advice and insider tips across a broad swath of industries and fields around the world about what it is like to work globally. If you love adventure and thrive on taking risks and operating outside your comfort zone, join us as we explore the ins and outs of pursuing an international career! About GW-CIBER The George Washington University Center for International Business Education and Research (GW-CIBER) promotes the nation's capacity for international understanding and economic enterprise related to the theme of Institutions, Resilient Globalization and Sustainable Competitiveness.

My guest on the show today is Ashley Christopher. She is a double HBCU alum of Howard University and UDC David A. Clarke School of Law. Ashley is paving the way for black youth to succeed. Christopher draws from her life experiences and celebrates how far she's come as an attorney, CEO, founder of HBCU Week Foundation, stroke survivor, and mother. Since 2017, HBCU Week Foundation has raised more than 50 million dollars for scholarships and curated dozens of events to ensure that black youth know higher education is an option. The world took notice and landed her some of the most significant partnerships, such as the Walt Disney Company, Bank of America, Capital One, the American Chemistry Council, and the NFL, to name a few. Please welcome to Money Making Conversations Master Class Ashley Christopher.  Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest on the show today is Ashley Christopher. She is a double HBCU alum of Howard University and UDC David A. Clarke School of Law. Ashley is paving the way for black youth to succeed. Christopher draws from her life experiences and celebrates how far she's come as an attorney, CEO, founder of HBCU Week Foundation, stroke survivor, and mother. Since 2017, HBCU Week Foundation has raised more than 50 million dollars for scholarships and curated dozens of events to ensure that black youth know higher education is an option. The world took notice and landed her some of the most significant partnerships, such as the Walt Disney Company, Bank of America, Capital One, the American Chemistry Council, and the NFL, to name a few. Please welcome to Money Making Conversations Master Class Ashley Christopher.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest on the show today is Ashley Christopher. She is a double HBCU alum of Howard University and UDC David A. Clarke School of Law. Ashley is paving the way for black youth to succeed. Christopher draws from her life experiences and celebrates how far she's come as an attorney, CEO, founder of HBCU Week Foundation, stroke survivor, and mother. Since 2017, HBCU Week Foundation has raised more than 50 million dollars for scholarships and curated dozens of events to ensure that black youth know higher education is an option. The world took notice and landed her some of the most significant partnerships, such as the Walt Disney Company, Bank of America, Capital One, the American Chemistry Council, and the NFL, to name a few. Please welcome to Money Making Conversations Master Class Ashley Christopher. My guest on the show today is Simone Lawrence. She is the Program Manager at the University of Utah's HBCU IMPACT program. Originally from Charlotte, NC, she attended college in DC at Howard University, where she received her bachelor's of arts in Strategic, Legal, and Management Communications. HBCU IMPACT is a summer internship program that allows students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to connect with companies in Utah. This will give companies access to a more diverse talent with the hopes of them having full-time employment at your company. The companies pay for the student's flights, housing, and salary over the summer. In return, the University of Utah will provide access to HBCU students, housing on campus, community connections, and weekend activities such as professional development and community service. IMPACT is an acronym for Internship, Mentorship, Professional Development, Academic Achievement, Community Service, and Talent Enrichment. Please welcome to Money Making Conversations Master Class Simone Lawrence.  Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest on the show today is Ashley Christopher. She is a double HBCU alum of Howard University and UDC David A. Clarke School of Law. Ashley is paving the way for black youth to succeed. Christopher draws from her life experiences and celebrates how far she's come as an attorney, CEO, founder of HBCU Week Foundation, stroke survivor, and mother. Since 2017, HBCU Week Foundation has raised more than 50 million dollars for scholarships and curated dozens of events to ensure that black youth know higher education is an option. The world took notice and landed her some of the most significant partnerships, such as the Walt Disney Company, Bank of America, Capital One, the American Chemistry Council, and the NFL, to name a few. Please welcome to Money Making Conversations Master Class Ashley Christopher. My guest on the show today is Simone Lawrence. She is the Program Manager at the University of Utah's HBCU IMPACT program. Originally from Charlotte, NC, she attended college in DC at Howard University, where she received her bachelor's of arts in Strategic, Legal, and Management Communications. HBCU IMPACT is a summer internship program that allows students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to connect with companies in Utah. This will give companies access to a more diverse talent with the hopes of them having full-time employment at your company. The companies pay for the student's flights, housing, and salary over the summer. In return, the University of Utah will provide access to HBCU students, housing on campus, community connections, and weekend activities such as professional development and community service. IMPACT is an acronym for Internship, Mentorship, Professional Development, Academic Achievement, Community Service, and Talent Enrichment. Please welcome to Money Making Conversations Master Class Simone Lawrence.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Republican-led states are embracing chemical recycling, a high-temperature plastic melting process that's criticized by environmentalists. The GOP approach is allowing them to financially benefit off Democrat-led states that recycle more plastic waste. POLITICO's Jordan Wolman breaks down the red-blue divide over recycling. Plus, Holtec International is pursuing a separate DOE lifeline to restart its Michigan nuclear facility.   Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Jordan Wolman is a sustainability reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO's audio department.

Women in Chemical's interview Dr. Kimberly Wise White, Vice President, Regulatory & Scientific Affairs at the American Chemical Council for Women of the Week 12/26/22.As part of our education initiatives, we will be highlighting nominees from other organizations that are adding value to the chemical industry. Dr. White was a nominee of Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI). Recognizing a lack of diversity throughout the STEM workforce, in November of 2020, the American Chemistry Council, AIChE - American Institute of Chemical Engineers, The Chemours Company and HBCU WEEK FOUNDATION, INC. partnered to establish the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI). This national industry-wide program seeks to increase the number of underrepresented professionals in the STEM workforce by providing scholarships to students pursuing preferred STEM degrees at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). For more information on FOSSI:Click here learn more about FOSSI Click here to learn about corporate sponsorship of FOSSI Click here to apply for a FOSSI scholarship -  Deadline is Jan 31, 2023 #womeninchemicals

"Plugged In" host Neil Chatterjee welcomes American Chemistry Council CEO Chris Jahn, who represents rail consumers, once again to explain the bill President Joe Biden signed into law on Friday, averting a national railroad strike. Biden called it "the right thing to do in the moment," and Jahn agreed that he deserves credit. But, he said the fight isn't over. Labor unions are still pushing back, as some of their demands weren't met, including the exclusion of an increase in paid sick leave for rail workers. What happens next?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeff Sloan, American Chemistry Council's senior director of transportation policy Rosemary Coates,Executive Director and Chairman of the Board, Reshoring Institute

In this interview, Dr Kimberly Wise White, Vice President of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs at the American Chemistry Council starts off talking about her upbringing and her love for science. Then she talks about how one can tell that they will be good in science. She goes on to talk about her experience earning three degrees from an HBCU. From there she talks about her hiring philosophy. After that, Dr White talked about humility and how doing the work is more important than accolades. Then she talks about her career path and how she's navigated in corporate America. She concluded by talking about how businesses can benefit from scientists, why mentees and mentors are important and how they plan to award scholarships to 1000 students by 2025. --- This episode is brought to you by HBCUGo, the easiest way to watch HBCU sports. Tweet us @hbcugrad with any comments or feedback --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hbcugrad/support

To take recycling to the next level, we're going to need new technologies that can process the plastic that is not recycled today. Technologies such as robotics that can sort used plastic better and faster. And advanced recycling that can break down used plastic into its building blocks so it can be remade, again and again. This podcast episode digs into these and other technologies that are revolutionizing the way we recycle, helping us build a circular economy in which plastic is reused instead of discarded.Rob Writz, Director, Business Development, AMP RoboticsCraig Cookson, Senior Director, Plastics Sustainability at American Chemistry CouncilMia Quinn, Senior Director, Public Affairs at American Chemistry Council

"Plugged In" host Neil Chatterjee welcomes American Chemistry Council CEO Chris Jahn to provide a rebuttal to Season 2's interview with representatives from the Association of American Railroads that blamed competition and innovation shortcomings on President Joe Biden's energy goals. Jahn says it's actually the monopoly of Class I railroads — four of which control 90% of freight traffic — that have stifled competition. He pushes for railroad leaders to invest more in their staff, give more transparency to their consumers and stop unnecessary price gouging.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonah talks with Dr. Kimberly Wise White (Vice President, Regulatory & Scientific Affairs, American Chemistry Council) and Ashley Christopher (Founder and CEO of HBCU Week Foundation, Inc.) to discuss HBCU Week - HBCU Week Foundation's Upcoming events - Offering scholarships to students on the spot - HBCU Week's partnership with Disney - HBCU Ambassador and Winston Salem State University alum Stephen A. Smith - How other HBCU alumni spread the word - The importance of culture and opportunity at HBCU's - Exposing prospective students to STEM occupations Since its inception in 2017, more than 3,500 students have been admitted into HBCUs with HBCU Week scholarship awards exceeding $50 million. ABOUT HBCU WEEK FOUNDATION The mission of the HBCU Week Foundation is to encourage high-school aged youth to enroll into HBCUs, provide scholarship dollars for matriculation and sustain a pipeline for employment from undergraduate school to corporate America. The most impactful event during HBCU Week is the HBCU College Fair. HBCU Week Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. https://www.hbcuweek.org __________ We Need To Be Doing That is a HEARTLENT Group Production https://www.weneedtobedoingthat.com

As President and CEO of the National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC), Patrick provides high-quality networking and resources for NIHC staff and its members, from the farm to consumer. He leads an organization composed of leading international, federal, state, private industry, and government professionals throughout the United States and international hemp industry. Under Atagi's leadership, NIHC's goals are to further market development, assist members in entering the industry, and educate the consumer on industrial hemp and its applications. Educating consumers is of paramount importance for NIHC. Patrick has served in executive positions in both the public and private sector. He previously served the public as both the Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and as the Confidential Assistant to the Under Secretary at the United States Department of Agriculture under President George W. Bush. In the private sector, Atagi previously worked for the US Apple Association, UnitedFresh, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), been the Secretariat for the World Chlorine Council, and the American Chemistry Council. He remains President and CEO of his family's farming operation DA Farms in Nyssa, Oregon. Atagi is a strong business development professional and a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and University of Maryland MBA program. Talking Points: 1) Hemp Outreach domestic and abroad; NoCo, SHE, Brussels (Federation of International Hemp Organizations), Berlin, and Thailand. 2) NIHC funding for life cycle analysis (LCA) buildings and more, and regulatory assessment of Europe. 3) Hemp Check Off 4) NIHC Verify Program 5) Annual meeting

As President and CEO of the National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC), Patrick provides high-quality networking and resources for NIHC staff and its members, from the farm to consumer. He leads an organization composed of leading international, federal, state, private industry, and government professionals throughout the United States and international hemp industry. Under Atagi's leadership, NIHC's goals are to further market development, assist members in entering the industry, and educate the consumer on industrial hemp and its applications. Educating consumers is of paramount importance for NIHC. Patrick has served in executive positions in both the public and private sector. He previously served the public as both the Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and as the Confidential Assistant to the Under Secretary at the United States Department of Agriculture under President George W. Bush. In the private sector, Atagi previously worked for the US Apple Association, UnitedFresh, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), been the Secretariat for the World Chlorine Council, and the American Chemistry Council. He remains President and CEO of his family's farming operation DA Farms in Nyssa, Oregon. Atagi is a strong business development professional and a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and University of Maryland MBA program. Talking Points: 1) Hemp Outreach domestic and abroad; NoCo, SHE, Brussels (Federation of International Hemp Organizations), Berlin, and Thailand. 2) NIHC funding for life cycle analysis (LCA) buildings and more, and regulatory assessment of Europe. 3) Hemp Check Off 4) NIHC Verify Program 5) Annual meeting

The business of chemistry has been represented in Washington DC since 1872.  For one hundred and fifty years the American Chemistry Council has championed science-based public policy agendas that bring forth innovation, job creation, economic expansion and enhance public and environmental health and safety.  Micaela Isler and Adam Belmar are joined by Mica Evans Hider, who leads ACC's  Coalitions and PAC program as Senior Director.  

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory is one of the 17 Department of Energy laboratories. It has the largest multi-program science and energy research lab in the U.S. On this latest episode of Sustainably Speaking, we discuss the new partnership between Oak Ridge and the American Chemistry Council. The partnership looks to answer the question of what to do with materials from our old cars and trucks once they reach the end of their useful life while exploring ways to capture, recycle and remake more plastic and plastic composites from these vehicles. Together, the two organizations will help develop circular solutions for plastics and plastic composites in the automotive industry, exploring what modern recycling technologies (like advanced recycling!) can offer. Host Mia Quin is joined by Soydan Ozcan, Senior R&D Scientist in the Manufacturing Science Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory and co-host Gina Oliver, senior director of curable markets advocacy at American Chemistry Council., They'll discuss how they plan to create circular systems that can be applied across multiple industries. On This Episode:Soydan Ozcan, Senior R&D Scientist in the Manufacturing Science Division of Oak Ridge National LaboratorySoydan Ozcan is currently the Thrust Lead for Development of Bio-Derived Materials & Manufacturing at the Department of Energy's Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF) located at Oak Ridge. His research addresses the broad and vital issue of identifying novel, high-value biomaterials from renewable sources, and viable processes for their preparation for composite and additive manufacturing applications towards zero waste. Ozcan also leads the Composite Recycling Effort for the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing Composite Innovation (IACMI). IACMI is the national Composite Institute within Manufacturing USA, which helps U.S. manufacturers employ leading-edge technology to become more competitive. In this scope, Ozcan facilitates the development of composite recycling technologies and utilizes various composite techniques to repurpose them into useful applications. Ozcan and his team are developing manufacturing techniques and exploring new materials to improve energy efficiency during composite manufacturing, decrease material waste, lower costs, and improve material performance. Ozcan's team is integrating a smart circular economy concept within product development, production processes, use, and re-use systems right from the beginning. Mia Quin, Senior Director, Plastics Outreach & Public Affairs at American Chemistry CouncilMia Quinn leads efforts to communicate the plastics industry's major sustainability initiatives. She works to bring together experts to share insights in key areas of sustainability, including public policy, product design, recycling, and infrastructure. She is passionate about collaboration, clear communications, and engaging audiences to learn more about and advocate for innovation and modern solutions for our communities and our country.  Mia has a degree in political science from Washington University in St. Louis. She grew up in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado and is a lifelong Denver Broncos fan. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two sons.Carly Zaccaria, Sustainability Coordinator at the American Chemistry CouncilCarly Zaccaria recently joined ACC as a sustainability coordinator for the Plastics Division. A Pittsburgh native, she has spent the last 6 years in North Carolina where she received her B.S.B.A in International Business from Elon University and her M.S. in Management from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business. Carly found her passion for sustainability when she interned at the Environmental Defense Fund on the Energy Efficiency Team. Carly looks forward to having a long and fulfilling career ahead of her in sustainability. Gina Oliver Senior, Director of Durable Markets Advocacy at American Chemistry Council Gina Oliver is the Senior Director for the American Chemistry Council's Durable Markets Advocacy Team. She leads advocacy on behalf of the durable plastics industry, who provide the innovative, sustainable material solutions that are essential to solving some of society's biggest challenges, including CO2 emissions reduction and advancing a circular economy for durable plastics. In her spare time, Gina sits on the Women in Government Relations Transportation and Infrastructure Task Force, Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation Consortium Council, and the Global Automotive Steering Group - the governing body for the Global Automotive Declarable Substance List. She is also a member of the Society of Plastics Engineers, Society of Automotive Engineers, Women in Government Relations, and American Society of Association Executives.  

Patrick MacRoy is the Deputy Director of Defend Our Health, a national non-profit, based in Maine, that builds a grassroots movement to drive toxics out of our food, water, homes and packaging. This past legislative session, Defend Our Health helped pass a first-in-the-nation ban on the spreading of sludge (Maine's inadvertent way of introducing PFAS and other chemicals into the soil of farmer's fields). Patrick talks about this win, along with others. He explains why Maine has been able to be so successful and highlights the courageous efforts of farmer Fred Stone, who was the first to speak up about the PFAS disaster in Maine farming.Patrick, with his breadth of policy knowledge around all things PFAS, was able to also explain how the federal government (including the EPA and FDA) and the Chemical Industry (spearheaded by the American Chemistry Council) figure into our everyday realities around PFAS contaminated water and soil.__________________________________Thank you sincerely for your help in getting this show out there in the world! There's always info on the show's facebook page, instagram and website, if needed. Kate ManahanWhat Mama Wantshttps://www.whatmamawants.org/archived-episodes/patrick-macroy

In this episode, Joshua Baca, Vice President of the American Chemistry Council's Plastics Division, shares how he got to where he is now, from working in politics to ending up with ACC. He believes that what he is doing now is fruitful, not just for him but for all of us in this society. He shares their advocacy strategies to help people better understand plastics' advantages in key markets such as automotive, building and construction, packaging, and innovations that are helping address some of our world's greatest sustainability challenges. They aim to have a hundred percent of plastic packaging to be recyclable by the year 2040. What are they doing, and how can they achieve this ultimate goal? Listen and find out!Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://www.thechemicalshow.com/

U.S. Conference of Mayors' Rich Anderson discusses efforts to address America's failing water infrastructure.Have you ever taken a trip abroad and wondered whether it's safe to drink the water? What about right here at home in the U.S.? In America, we often assume our tap water is safe and healthy to drink. However, for millions of Americans, safe drinking water is a luxury due to the current state of our water infrastructure which is primarily made off corroded pipes. Just think of Flint, Michigan, which brought to light a community's tragic struggle with water contamination. Dr. Richard Anderson, consultant to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, is intimately familiar with America's water crisis. For over 30 years, he has worked on the difficult issues facing the U.S. water infrastructure, developing solutions as modern plastic pipes. On the latest episode of Sustainably Speaking, Rich joins host Mia Quinn and special guest co-host Amy Schmidt, director of building and construction at the American Chemistry Council. Together they dive into the complex yet critical issue of providing Americans with access to safe and clean drinking water. 

May 10, 2022 - American Chemistry Council's Margaret Gorman makes the case for "advanced recycling centers" in New York and answers questions about the plastic industry's past misleading recycling claims.

The U.S. Plastics Pact brings together businesses, not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, and research institutions that work together toward a common vision of a circular economy for plastics, as outlined by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's New Plastics Economy Initiative. This vision aims to ensure that plastics never become waste by eliminating the plastics we don't need, innovating to ensure that the plastics we do need are reusable, recyclable, or compostable, and circulating all the plastic items we use to keep them in the economy and out of the environment.On this episode, we'll talk about:•What does US Plastic Pact trying to accomplish and what impact will it have?•Why do they think plastic is the most important issue to address?•What are the negative things that plastic packaging is doing right now to our world that the Plastic Pack is trying to solve?•What are the biggest challenges caused by the mismanagement of plastic waste?•Have other countries filled in the gap since China stopped buying our waste, or is it just staying here in the US and ending up in landfills?•Water bottles made of PET and milk jugs made of polyethylene are arguably the two most widely recyclable and approved items in the US•The shift in the investor mentality with more sustainable objectives, goals, and business model•What role the government will have in accomplishing a lot of these changes?•commending companies that have formed an organization, not just the companies, but everyone who signed on to the US Plastic Pact and made a voluntary commitment to openness.•Different viewpoints on the term Recyclable•Is it preferable to use plastic bottles over glass bottles in terms of climate change, if plastic bottles have a lower carbon footprint?Emily Tipaldo, with more than a decade of experience with plastics, recycling, and materials management, brings her skills of stakeholder engagement, industry expertise, and passion for reducing climate change to the U.S. Plastics Pact. The U.S. Plastics Pact is a solutions-driven consortium with more than 100 diverse businesses and organizations across the plastics value chain working to rethink the way we design, use, and reuse plastics, to create a path toward a circular economy for plastic in the United States. Through previous work with the research and consulting company MORE Recycling and the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council, Emily built incredible knowledge and value chain connections that support her work today as Executive Director of the U.S. Plastics Pact.For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothersFollow PPCPackaging on social media!   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPCPackaging/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en Website: http://www.ppcpackaging.com/Find out more about Emily on her website and connect with her on Twitter and LinkedIn.Website: https://usplasticspact.org/Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmmTipLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emily-tipaldo-305b86aThe views and opinions expressed on the "Packaging Brothers" podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Packaging Brothers, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.

Our guest today is Todd Sims - he's here to help us answer the question: Can we be friends with plastic? The answer to this question might not be as easy as we think. Todd is the former Director of Sustainability and Market Outreach at the American Chemistry Council and is an experienced and passionate advocate in the fields of sustainability and energy efficiency. In today's episode, he helps guide us through a challenging, nuanced, and important conversation on one of Earth's most troublesome and misused materials - plastic. Join us as we explore what the future holds for plastics and what changes we can make in the design industry to give our planet a fighting chance. Break Some Dishes is an Imagine a Place Production, presented by OFS: https://ofs.com/imagine-a-place

On this latest episode of Sustainably Speaking, we discuss the emerging generation of thinkers and doers, Generation Z, a group notoriously passionate about building a bright and sustainable future for humanity and the Earth. Host Mia Quinn and Gen-Z co-host Carly Zaccaria, sustainability coordinator at the American Chemistry Council talk with noted leader in sustainability Gulay Serhatkulu, senior vice president of performance materials for the North American division of BASF Corporation and mother of an 18-year-old future engineer. Tune in to hear this discussion on how Gen-Z's heightened environmental awareness and demand for positive change is driving a societal and corporate shift toward a more purpose-driven, sustainable culture. On This Episode:Gulay Serhatkulu, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Performance Materials North America, BASF Corporation Gulay Serhatkulu is Senior Vice President responsible for the Performance Materials business for BASF Corporation in North America. This business encompasses the entire materials know-how of BASF regarding innovative, customized plastics under one roof and is globally active in four major industry sectors – transportation, construction, industrial applications and consumer goods.Gulay joined BASF in 2006 as a technical service representative.  She has held a variety of roles with increasing responsibility within BASF including product management, marketing, sales, strategy and most recently procurement.  Prior to BASF, she earned two postdoctoral appointments at the University of Nottingham, UK and Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan respectively.Gulay earned and/or did her studies for a PhD, MSc, and a BSc degree from the University of Akron, OH and Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey in the fields of polymer science and engineering, and chemical engineering. Gulay was born in Istanbul, Turkey. She is married and has one son.         Mia Quin, Senior Director, Plastics Outreach & Public Affairs at American Chemistry CouncilMia Quinn leads efforts to communicate the plastics industry's major sustainability initiatives. She works to bring together experts to share insights in key areas of sustainability, including public policy, product design, recycling, and infrastructure. She is passionate about collaboration, clear communications, and engaging audiences to learn more about and advocate for innovation and modern solutions for our communities and our country.  Mia has a degree in political science from Washington University in St. Louis. She grew up in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado and is a lifelong Denver Broncos fan. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two sons.Carly Zaccaria, Sustainability Coordinator at the American Chemistry CouncilCarly Zaccaria recently joined ACC as a sustainability coordinator for the Plastics Division. A Pittsburgh native, she has spent the last 6 years in North Carolina where she received her B.S.B.A in International Business from Elon University and her M.S. in Management from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business. Carly found her passion for sustainability when she interned at the Environmental Defense Fund on the Energy Efficiency Team. Carly looks forward to having a long and fulfilling career ahead of her in sustainability.    

Consumer healthcare products, including dietary supplements, consumer medical devices, and OTC medicines, are some of the most highly regulated products in America today. As global climate change becomes a greater focus of policymakers around the world, over-the-counter healthcare manufacturers are seeing more environmental regulation coming their way. What exactly are states considering? How will this impact medicine affordability? And how can manufacturers lean in to become more environmentally compliant and friendly? Join CHPA's Carlos Gutierrez, Vice President, State & Local Government Affairs, Adam Peer, Senior Director, Packaging and Consumer Markets, American Chemistry Council, and Andy Hackman, Principal Lobbyist, Serlin Haley during this episode of CHPA Chat. Hosted by: Anita Brikman, Senior Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs, and Executive Director, CHPA Educational Foundation

In a world that's clogged and choking with a massive overdose of plastic trash, you'll be heartened to learn that governments and industries are teaming up to respond forcefully to this planetary crisis. Unfortunately, their response has been to engage in a global race to make more plastic stuff and to force poor countries to become dumping grounds for plastic garbage. Leading this Kafkaesque greedfest are such infamous plunderers and polluters as Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Shell, and other petrochemical profiteers. With fossil fuel profits crashing, the giants are rushing to convert more of their over-supply of oil into plastic. But where to send the monstrous volumes of waste that will result? The industry's chief lobbyist outfit, the American Chemistry Council, looked around last year and suddenly shouted: “Eureka, there's Africa!” In particular, they're targeting Kenya to become “a plastics hub” for global trade in waste. However, Kenyans have an influential community of environmental activists who've enacted some of the world's toughest bans on plastic pollution. To bypass this inconvenient local opposition, the dumpers are resorting to an old corporate power play: “Free Trade.” Their lobbyists are pushing an autocratic trade agreement that would ban Kenyan officials from passing their own laws or rules that interfere with trade in plastic waste. Trying to hide their ugliness, the plastic profiteers created a PR front group called “Alliance to End Public Waste.” But – hello – it's not “public” waste. Exxon and other funders of the alliance make, promote, and profit from the mountains of destructive trash they now demand we clean up. The real problem is not waste, but plastic itself. From production to disposal, it's destructive to people and the planet. Rather than subsidizing petrochemical behemoths to make more of the stuff, policymakers should seek out and encourage people who are developing real solutions and alternatives.

The global economy may reverse from price inflation to deflation next year as supply chains unblock amid tepid underlying demand.-          Risk of switch from inflation to deflation -          Inventories rising as supply chains unblock-          Global chemical prices may equalise, but lower, as supply chains open up-          China demand falling as state tackles bloated property market  -          Business leaders fear Omicron will impact 2022 growth-          American Chemistry Council upbeat, points to positive data-          US chemical rail car loadings reach record high, but could be supply-driven -          Evergrande default marks China's move away from “subprime on steroids”-          Demographics, aging population will drive more service-based economy

Joshua Baca, vice president of plastics at the American Chemistry Council, joins the podcast in to discuss the group's plan to accelerate a circular economy for plastics. This episode is sponsored by the American Chemistry Council.

The American Chemistry Council's chief economist analyses the impact of Storm Ida and reflects on key changes which have shaped the chemical industry over the last 30 years. -          Storm Ida will delay US inventory rebuild into 2022-          After Storm Uri consensus was for inventory rebuild by Q3/4 2021-          Around 15% of US ethylene capacity could be offline for 2-3 weeks longer-          Ida adds to existing difficulties in global supply chains-          Ida outages impact Europe's ability to import from the US-          Shortages may continue to inflate prices -          Constant supply chain disruption could spell end of globalisation-          Only 30% of shipping is arriving on time-          Shale gas revolutionised US chemicals-          Focus on quarterly results at expense of long-term vision-          Climate emergency, low carbon production will drive industryKevin is joined by ICIS Insight Editor Nigel Davis, and Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting. 

Susanne Wasson is the President of the Crop Protection Business Platform for Corteva Agriscience.  Previously, she was the Vice President of Commercial Effectiveness.  Prior to being named VP, Susanne was the U.S. Commercial Leader of the Crop Protection Business of Dow AgroSciences.  She was previously a Global Business Leader for the Range & Pasture and Industrial Vegetation Management herbicide business and a Global Business Leader for the Seeds and Traits business focused on licensing of Dow AgroSciences' Bt library, and M&A activities for seeds in Asia. She has held several other roles in marketing, sales and finance in her 30-year career.  Susanne is a member and past chapter president of P.E.O. (philanthropic education organization for women), and a member of the Delta Delta Delta Foundation Crescent Fund committee.  She is currently on the Board of Directors of United Way of Central Indiana, Agrinovus Indiana, National FFA Organization, and the American Chemistry Council. She is the Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Crop Life America and was the 2018 chairman of the FFA Foundation Sponsors Board.  She was awarded an Honorary American FFA Degree and was a 2016 recipient of the Indianapolis Business Journal Women of Influence award, received the 2019 Women in Agribusiness Demeter Award of Excellence and was a 2019 Distinguished Alumni of College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources of Oklahoma State University.  Susanne earned degrees in Agricultural Economics and Accounting from Oklahoma State University, and a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University. 

Did you know that your empty yogurt cup or takeout container may have a second life as a suitcase or playground slide? As our society evolves toward treating waste as a valuable resource, used plastics are making a growing contribution to sustainability. Companies and brands are increasingly giving waste another life, harnessing the power of innovation to make new products using recycled plastics, including foam insulation for more energy-efficient buildings. Not only does use of this insulating material help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it also can help save money on our utility bills.On this episode of Sustainably Speaking, Joshua Baca, host and American Chemistry Council's vice president of plastics, speaks with Huntsman CEO Peter Huntsman about how manufacturers like Huntsman are leading the charge on advancing circularity and contributing to a more resilient and sustainable infrastructure.

Lowering carbon emissions and supporting company pledges to improve sustainability are a big challenges, and we'll need cutting-edge, 21st century infrastructure and supporting technologies to achieve these ambitious targets. Fortunately, the world has seen a rapid increase in the development of these technologies over the last decade. While you may not realize it, some important forms of renewable infrastructure, such as solar panels and wind turbines, depend on plastic to produce sustainable energy more efficiently. On this episode of Sustainably Speaking, host Joshua Baca, American Chemistry Council's vice president, plastics, speaks with Christine Bryant, Covestro's senior vice president of polyurethanes, about how manufacturers are  innovating and collaborating across industries to invest in the materials needed to modernize our infrastructure while lowering our carbon footprint.

Kevin Swift, chief economist at the American Chemistry Council, joins the podcast to discuss the economic outlook at the mid-point of 2021.

As leaders from Canadian National and Kansas City Southern promote their proposed multibillion-dollar merger, some of their customers are voicing concerns. The American Chemistry Council, a trade association, has expressed concerns to the U.S. Surface Transportation Board that the deal could limit competition in an industry that operates with only a handful of larger carriers. Any regulatory decision on the proposal probably won't come soon. Analysts have said it likely will take at least a year before CN and KCS even present their case for a merger before the Surface Transportation Board.

Today's guest can help anyone make networking an art, not an accident. He is a principal consultant at Contacts Count, a global training and development firm that has developed 8 specific competencies, a mix of skills, behaviors, tools, and strategies, to teach individuals and organizations the value of networking. He has worked with individuals in almost every profession and industry to improve their ability to build mutually beneficial trust-based relationships. Relationships that can help his clients improve their performance on the job, advance their career, and add value to their organization. These skills are also critical to success when seeking new employment opportunities. An accomplished human resources professional, he has worked for over 25 years at organizations as diverse as Dunkin Donuts and the American Chemistry Council. Please join me in welcoming Vern Schellenger. In this episode we discuss: his thoughts on leadership: “Leadership is servant leadership. The dignity and respect around listening to people and having empathy. There is no leadership without followers.” his first experience in management while working as a baker at Dunkin' Donuts and how that led to a 25 year career with them. how he discovered networking during a job search. his journey through multiple job searches with resources from New Directions and learning about networking. his experience of leading a group through Georgetown Law School to help the participants embrace the concept of networking. how he includes networking in everyday conversations and offers to not only teach but give. a quick tip to how to weave networking into everyday conversations. how he made it possible for one of his colleagues to “visit Mars”. how he nurtures and sustains the outer layers of his network. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at www.OnTheSchmooze.com - episode 245.

In a world that’s clogged and choking with a massive overdose of plastic trash, you’ll be heartened to learn that governments and industries are teaming up to respond forcefully to this planetary crisis. Unfortunately, their response has been to engage in a global race to make more plastic stuff and to force poor countries to become dumping grounds for plastic garbage. Leading this Kafkaesque greedfest are such infamous plunderers and polluters as Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Shell, and other petrochemical profiteers. With fossil fuel profits crashing, the giants are rushing to convert more of their over-supply of oil into plastic. But where to send the monstrous volumes of waste that will result? The industry’s chief lobbyist outfit, the American Chemistry Council, looked around last year and suddenly shouted: “Eureka, there’s Africa!” In particular, they’re targeting Kenya to become “a plastics hub” for global trade in waste. However, Kenyans have an influential community of environmental activists who’ve enacted some of the world’s toughest bans on plastic pollution. To bypass this inconvenient local opposition, the dumpers are resorting to an old corporate power play: “Free Trade.” Their lobbyists are pushing an autocratic trade agreement that would ban Kenyan officials from passing their own laws or rules that interfere with trade in plastic waste. Trying to hide their ugliness, the plastic profiteers created a PR front group called “Alliance to End Public Waste.” But – hello – it’s not “public” waste. Exxon and other funders of the alliance make, promote, and profit from the mountains of destructive trash they now demand we clean up. The real problem is not waste, but plastic itself. From production to disposal, it’s destructive to people and the planet. Rather than subsidizing petrochemical behemoths to make more of the stuff, policymakers should seek out and encourage people who are developing real solutions and alternatives.

This week, Bethany is joined by a special co-host, the editor of Empowering Pumps & Equipment, Cieana Detloff.  They talk about how to use social media during a virtual event and then preview the VMA Virtual Valve Forum Plus Valve Basics.Then Charli interviews Heather Rhoderick, CAE, CMP, President at Valve Manufacturers Association. Heather discusses how she joined the industry and then talks about the highlights of the event.Rhoderick joined the VMA in 2019 after serving the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) for 11 years in various roles of increasing responsibility, most recently as senior vice president of events and information. She has 24 years of experience in trade organization operations, including leadership positions at the Newspaper Association of America and the American Chemistry Council.Rhoderick holds an MBA from Virginia Tech, and a BA in Political Science from the University of Delaware. She is also a Certified Association Executive and a Certified Meeting Professional.Register for the Valve Forum Plus Valve BasicsValve Magazine - Latest Digital IssueThen Charli talks to Rob Kalwarowsky about the importance of talking about mental health in the industry. A note from Rob:I have suffered with depression, anxiety & suicidal ideation over the last 10 years in industry working in mining, oil & gas and across heavy industry.  Maintenance workers in heavy industry report dramatically higher suicide rates than the general population.  We need to make a change and support ourselves to become healthy & happy.As the nationwide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA facilitates access to the resources people require to maintain and improve mental health and community integration, build resilience, and support recovery from mental illness.https://www.gofundme.com/f/let039s-support-mental-health Resources and Links:Get the digital editionSign up for Empowering Pumps & Equipment newsletter. Nominate an Industry Person of the Week.Empowering Women Meet Up: Wednesday, November 4, 4:30 CSTConnect with us:Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagramhttps://empoweringpumps.com/email: podcast@empoweringpumps.comSound byhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Ed Brzytwa, International Trade Director of the American Chemistry Council visits with Jeremy Osterberger via a Zoom meeting.  In their conversation, they discuss U.S. trade policy as it relates to the chemical industry, COVID-19 essential products, future preparedness and the differences between President Trump's approach to trade and tariffs vs presidential hopeful Joe Biden's potential approach.

In this edition of the Chemical Watch Podcast, global managing editor Kate Lowe is joined by Europe correspondent Clelia Oziel, business editor Leigh Stringer, and global and emerging markets reporter Ginger Hervey to discuss the issues behind three recent chemicals management stories. We start in Europe where the American Chemistry Council has joined EU industry groups in urging the European Commission to adopt a "common" approach to polymer registration based on exempting chemicals considered to be of low concern. Turning to business, we take a look at the European home improvement company Kingfisher which since the start of 2019 has been working towards phasing out phthalates, per-fluorinated and poly-fluorinated chemicals and halogenated flame retardants from its own-brand products by 2025 – and look at the progress the company has made. Finally, we turn to the global problem of how to finance sound management of chemicals and waste in developing countries – and taking a look at a call from a network of NGOs for an internationally coordinated tax to be imposed on basic chemicals.

Today on The Leaders' Brief - After declining Vodafone Idea's request for a 20-year window to pay statutory dues, the Indian Supreme Court stated that the National Company Law Tribunal would decide whether spectrum can be sold during insolvency proceedings. In some respite for telecom operators, the Supreme Court has asked carriers to pay 10% of pending dues by March 31, 2021. American Chemistry Council suggests that Africa's largest economy, Kenya, "could serve in the future as a hub for supplying US-made chemicals and plastics to other markets in Africa through this trade agreement." The Africa Regional Certification Commission certified the WHO African Region as wild polio-free on August 25th after four years without a case. Nigeria, which accounted for over 50% of global polio cases a few years ago, was the last African nation to declare that the virus has been completely eradicated. About egomonk: Website | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedInegomonk is a global intelligence platform delivering asymmetric outcomes by bringing organizations closer to the communities they want to serve and the leaders they wish to influence. If you wish to collaborate with us then email us at contact@egomonk.com.

The explosion in Beirut was a reminder that chemicals essential to life and the economy must be stored, handled and processed safely. Chemical accidents in the United States also occur often resulting in the loss of life. The U. S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board the small federal agency that investigates chemical accidents and makes recommendations at the moment has only one of five statutory members. Joining the show with why this needs to be rectified, the President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, Chris Jahn.

Exclusively on BICMagazine.com, Chris Jahn, president and CEO of the American Chemistry Council discusses how the organization leads in providing solutions to today's complex chemical needs and how the upcoming presidential election will affect the future of the chemical industry.

In this episode we will learn more about the the human and environmental health impacts of plastics, the history and future of plastics, the great recycling myth, a little bit about the zero waste lifestyle, and how to use Cartography to better display information on your maps, which will include my critique on a map that the Magical Mapper is designing. Most importantly, we talk about how You Are Loved!This is part two of our Plastics spotlight. Three months ago we shared some background on plastics, how plastic recycling isn’t working, the plastic ban from China, oh and a bunch of depressing plastic facts. So, if you haven’t listened to that episode and want a little more background before we delve into this episode check out Episode 18 first. Yes, we did this 2-part series in the correct order, just to keep you on your toes, then we added some episodes in between to see if you were paying attention. But before we get started, happy news! Here’s a link to an article about the grey whale we mentioned getting untangled.Environmental and Human Health Risks Associated with PlasticsPlastics pollute at all levels; during its manufacture, use and disposal. The poop detective gets right into some more depressing facts about plastic, starting with its manufacture. Plastic production can release airborne toxins and also cause fires and explosions.Many of the chemicals found in plastics are known endocrine disruptors. Amy drops a lot of facts, but if you want to go down the endocrine disruptor wormhole, check out the half hour video, Our Chemical Lives. Unfortunately 96% of Americans have endocrine disruptors in their blood, but there are all sorts of sources including the food we eat, oh which also has microplastics in it.Environmental ImpactsThe presence of plastics, particularly microplastics, within the food chain is increasing. In the 1960s, microplastics were first observed in the guts of seabirds, and since then have been found in increasing concentrations. There are estimates that around eight million tons of plastic end up in the world’s oceans annually. Amy bums us out with a lot more depressing plastic facts, which I won’t repeat here, although you might see some of them if you follow us on Facebook.Ok, I’ll share one very depressing report from 2018; a survey by the Global Oceanic Environmental Survey (GOES) Foundation found that the ecosystem in seas and oceans may collapse in the next 25 years, potentially causing failure of terrestrial ecosystem and "very possibly the end of life on Earth as we know it"; the main agents of this prediction were hypothesized to be plastic, ocean acidification, and ocean pollution. In order to prevent such a catastrophe, experts have proposed a total single-use plastic ban, wood burning bans while planting "as many trees as possible," "pollution-free recycling of electronics, and by 2030 all industries have zero toxic discharge."Climate Change ImpactsAlthough plastic is often seen as a separate issue from climate change, both its production and afterlife are in fact major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2019, the Center for International Environmental Law published a new report on the impact of plastic on climate change, which Amy digs into. Finally, the disposal results in additional emissions.Also, an estimated 12% of all plastic is incinerated, releasing more greenhouse gases, as well as dangerous toxins, including dioxins and heavy metals. Industry is actually promoting an expansion of incineration in waste-to-electricity plants, which it describes as a source of renewable energy.The History of Plastic and Recycling and the Rise of the Single Use Disposable Consumerist SocietyThe mass production of plastic started about 70 years ago. Since then approximately 6.3 billion tons have become waste, clogging our oceans and landfills with a material that take potentially hundred to thousands of years to break down. Plastic might sit for hundreds of years without decomposing, breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces.Amy goes over the history of recycling in the US. She also relays some interesting facts about plastic bags.In 1907 Bakelite was invented. It was the first synthetic plastic, which contained no molecules found in nature. Global production of plastics increased annually from two million metric tons in 1950 to over 400 million metric tons in 2015, outgrowing most other man-made materials.The Future of Plastics is Tied to the Oil IndustrySo now, we have major oil companies getting ready to ramp up plastic production as consumers try to be more savvy with their plastic purchases. The World Economic Forum predicts plastic production will double in the next 20 years. The Alliance to End Plastic Waste was founded by major petrochemical companies. They’re simultaneously promising beach cleanups and recycling campaigns, while its key members, including Shell and ExxonMobil, announce plans to build new multi-billion-dollar polyethylene and petrochemical plants that produce inexpensive, plastic products.According to a Mother Jones article on the origins of the anti-litter campaigns: the entire anti-litter movement was initiated by a consortium of industry groups who wanted to divert the nation’s attention away from even more radical legislation to control the amount of waste these companies were putting out. In 1953 the packaging industry teamed up with other industries including Coca-Cola and Dixie Cup to form Keep America Beautiful, which still exists today. Keep America Beautiful was basically a campaign against individual bad environmental practices instead of the businesses taking responsibility for their waste.“By pushing for curbside recycling, you’re mobilizing a nation to do a lot of labor for you, bring [trash] back to you at low cost and invest in a lot of infrastructure for you —infrastructure you don’t build and don’t own.”— Bartow J. Elmore - environmental historianRecycling, Circular Economy and Zero-wasteSo, is it time to trash recycling? The reality is most plastic is not recycled. We have been fed the idea that plastics are recyclable, but between the inability for many plastics to be recycled to the high level of contamination in the plastic recycle stream, much of it ends up in the landfill, or worse somewhere in our environment. According to a story on treehugger.com, for the last dozen years recycling has been described as a fraud, a sham, a scam perpetrated by big business on the citizens and municipalities of America.In the end, recycling is a poor substitute for meaningful solutions, such as reducing the number of materials and products we consume and ridding ourselves of our reliance on products with an end of life, which is oftentimes called a zero waste lifestyle within a circular economy. Amy discusses our current linear economy and how moving to a circular economy would be beneficial. Our happiness should not be predicated on purchasings goods.Is there any good news?Some countries have big plans to curb plastic waste, such as Indonesia, which aims to cut marine plastic waste by 70% within five years and be entirely plastic pollution-free by 2040.Companies are starting to listen, but only take baby steps to commit to less plastic. The American Chemistry Council aims for all plastic to be recycled or recovered by 2040, although critics dismiss the goal as unrealistic greenwash. Many of the major companies, like Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Nestle have made plans to include 25-50% recycled material in their plastic packaging between 2025 and 2030. But it seems these goals in no way match the severity of the issue.What can we do?The bottom line to really make change, we have to change the way we view our society. We need businesses to innovate their practices to move towards a circular economy that does not produce waste.To fix this, we need to quickly stop the idea of the throwaway culture being normal. But of course, changing it is going to be far more difficult because it permeates every aspect of the economy. Remember that we vote each time we make a purchase.We should all strive for a zero waste lifestyle, where individually, we attempt to minimize or eliminate waste and therefore avoid recycling altogether. The best way to start is just to buy less, and guess what, our stay at home orders should be making that easier to do!GIS - Cartography!After all of that depression, we finish out the episode on a high note! Jen finally gets to talk about maps! Head over to the GIS Tools blog for some helpful cartography resources, and to see the amazing map Jen created.Please don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts (like Tune In, Castbox Himalaya, iheartradio, etc). Please let us know what you think in the comments below or at facebook.com/WillWeMakeItOutAlive. Also, if you are more visually inclined, check out our YouTube page!

Link to DIY bags: https://tipnut.com/35-reusable-grocery-bags-totes-free-patterns/. Website: https://www.sustainabilitymadeeasier.com/, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SustainabilityMadeEasier/, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sustainabilitymadeeasier/, Twitter: https://twitter.com/EasySustainable References: [i], [viii] Anderson, M. (2016, November 1). Confronting Plastic Pollution One Bag at a Time. Retrieved from The EPA Blog: https://blog.epa.gov/2016/11/01/confronting-plastic-pollution-one-bag-at-a-time/, [ii], [vii] Parker, L. (2019, April 17). Plastic bag bans are spreading. But are they truly effective? Retrieved from National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/04/plastic-bag-bans-kenya-to-us-reduce-pollution/, [iii] Schlanger, Z. (2019, April 1). Your cotton tote is pretty much the worst replacement for a plastic bag. Retrieved from Quartz: https://qz.com/1585027/when-it-comes-to-climate-change-cotton-totes-might-be-worse-than-plastic/, [iv], [vi], [xii], [xvi] The Danish Environmental Protection Agency. (2018). Life Cycle Assessment of grocery carrier bags. The Danish Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from https://www2.mst.dk/Udgiv/publications/2018/02/978-87-93614-73-4.pdf, [v], [x], [xvii] Kimmel, R. M. (2014). Life Cycle Assessment of Grocery Bags in the United States. Environmental Studies. Retrieved from https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=cudp_environment, [ix] Canadian Plastics Industry Association. (2012). Paper vs. Plastic Bags. Retrieved from All About Bags: http://www.allaboutbags.ca/papervplastic.html, [xi] Adler, B. (2016, June 10). Banning Plastic Bags Is Great for the World, Right? Not So Fast. Retrieved from Wired: https://www.wired.com/2016/06/banning-plastic-bags-great-world-right-not-fast/, [xiii] Tipnut. (n.d.). 50+ Reusable Grocery Bags You Can Make: Free Patterns. Retrieved from Tipnut.com: https://tipnut.com/35-reusable-grocery-bags-totes-free-patterns/, [xiv] American Chemistry Council. (n.d.). Learn What’s Recyclable. Retrieved from Plastic Film Recycling: https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/recycling-bags-and-wraps/plastic-film-education-individuals/learn-whats-recyclable/

Jeff Wooster is the global sustainability director for Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics. In this role, he collaborates with the entire value chain to promote and improve the sustainability value of plastic packaging. He is the past president of AMERIPEN, and is on the Board of Directors for GreenBlue. He serves on the steering team for the Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas Alliance signature initiative on marine debris and as Co-Chair of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s Roadmap to Curb Ocean Waste (ROW) initiative. Additionally, Wooster serves as chair for American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division Packaging Team and is a member of the Flexible Packaging Association’s Sustainability Task Force. Jeff Joins Sustainable Nation to Discuss: Moving beyond the circular economy The future of plastics demanding radical collaboration The importance of  affordable solutions Dow's 2025 sustainability goals Advice and recommendations for sustainability leaders Jeff's Final Five Question Responses: What is one piece of advice you would give other sustainability professionals that might help them in their careers? I would look at how sustainability interacts with business. If you work in a company and you want to work on sustainability, you don't have to work for the sustainability function to do that. You can work in R&D, you can work in Manufacturing, you can work in Supply Chain, you can work in Marketing and you can work in Accounts Payable. Any of those jobs have opportunities for people to apply sustainability principles to their work. What are you most excited about right now in the world of sustainability? The thing I'm most excited about is that people are really committed to sustainability for the long term. It's not a fad. It's something that people are trying to think very holistically about and make sure that they do the right things for the best longterm benefit for people and the planet. What is one book you'd recommend sustainability professionals read? I'd love to recommend Patrick Moore's book, Confessions of a Greenpeace Dropout. Not just because he quit working for Greenpeace and started working on other things, but because he has lots of examples in that book of how sometimes things aren't as they seem. Sometimes we have to think in more detail and with a bit more complexity about the sustainability issues that we face. We can't just scratch the surface for five seconds and assume that we have the answer. We really need to dig into the details and make sure that we understand things on a deeper level. What are some of your favorite resources or tools that really help you in your work? I really like the websites of a number of our partners. So, The Sustainable Packaging Coalition has a website how2recycle.info, and it talks about various recycling programs and their label. ameripen.org has a number of useful publications on packaging. There's a great one on the value of packaging that we created early in the organization, but it's still applicable today. The Recycling Partnership has a great website. Keep America Beautiful. Ocean Conservancy. I could go on and on, but lots of great organizations have lots of good material available. People can also go to the Dowpackaging.com website and get some information on what Dow is doing. Where can people go to learn more about you and the work that you're leading at Dow? If you Google my name Jeff Wooster, you'll find some videos and things that I've made, but if you go to Dowpackaging.com, you'll be redirected to one of the pages that talks about some of the activities that we're doing around sustainability. And of course, you can go to the websites of those partners that I've mentioned and see the activities that we're supporting there as well. About Sustridge Sustridge is a sustainability consulting firm providing consulting in sustainability strategy development, sustainability reporting, GHG emissions calculating and management, zero waste planning and guidance in TRUE Zero Waste, B Corp, LEED and Carbon Neutral certification.

In this episode Kevin Swift, Chief Economist of the American Chemistry Council, discusses the short-term and long-term outlook for chemicals manufacturing. Kevin also responds to questions about innovation, market concentration, and human capital in basic chemicals industries. The interview concludes with a discussion of the potential impact of demographic change on chemicals demand. For more visit mfgtalkradio.com

WDDTY editors Lynne McTaggart and Bryan Hubbard report on a review into the dangers of formaldehyde—found in many common building materials—that has been successfully blocked by the American Chemistry Council.  They also look at a traditional supplement used in Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, to restore good gut health, how myopia is caused by a lack of sunlight, why it is that the routine heart health drugs we take—such as statins and blood pressure pills—are being prescribed at dosages way too powerful for us, and the hidden risk of 200 common prescription and over-the-counter medications.

A new report from N.C. State University researchers shows that North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship voucher program for low-income students has a “positive, large, and statistically significant” impact. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, assesses the study’s impact for the voucher program’s future. A fatal attempted prison break at Pasquotank Correctional Center in 2017 has prompted state legislators to focus attention on prison reform. Adrian Moore, vice president of policy for the Reason Foundation, has spent years research the topic across the country. Moore offers ideas N.C. lawmakers might want to consider as they beef up security and make other necessary changes throughout the state’s prison system. State lawmakers recently addressed recommendations for increasing efficiency within the N.C. Department of Administration. They heard a warning that some efficiency measures could be complicated by poor data collection. You’ll hear legislative reaction to the efficiency report. Water infrastructure across North Carolina is aging and, in some cases, crumbling. But local regulations can lead to less choice and higher costs as pipes are upgraded. That’s a concern shared by Michael Power, senior director of state government affairs, Southern region, for the American Chemistry Council. Power explains why his group is seeking state legislation that would block local governments from adopting overly stringent restrictions on the types of materials used in new water pipes. The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled, 7-2, that the state of Colorado could not force a professional cake baker to design a cake for a same-sex wedding. But the ruling’s long-term impact is not as clear-cut as the result might imply. Jon Guze, John Locke Foundation director of legal studies, analyzes the Supreme Court’s decision in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case.

CW Senior Editor Vincent Valk chats with Kevin Swift, chief economist at the American Chemistry Council, about the group's mid-year situation and outlook.

2% of all chemicals are regulated for human safety and that is incredibly wrong. Join Lindsay Dahl (Deputy Director at Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families) and Lily Tse (Founder/CEO, ThinkDirty App) as we dive into the sketchy world of toxic chemicals, industry lobby groups, science suppression and more, and what you can do to make sense of it all and empower yourself to live a cleaner, healthier life. Survivor spotlight on Chris Wark,  

2% of all chemicals are regulated for human safety and that is incredibly wrong. Join Lindsay Dahl (Deputy Director at Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families) and Lily Tse (Founder/CEO, ThinkDirty App) as we dive into the sketchy world of toxic chemicals, industry lobby groups, science suppression and more, and what you can do to make sense of it all and empower yourself to live a cleaner, healthier life. Survivor spotlight on Chris Wark,   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Who should take responsibility for reducing the amount of plastic debris that litters our cities, waterways and oceans? While many consumers have given up their plastic grocery bags, most still rely on the convenience of plastic water bottles, liquid soap and fast food in styrofoam containers. “Many of our companies are looking at bio-based materials and other kinds of plastics,” says Keith Christman of the American Chemistry Council. “High density polyethylene, made from sugarcane, is one of the largest uses today of bioplastics.” But is plant-based plastic the answer? As Molly Morse of Mango Materials points out, without oxygen to break them down, bioplastics can last as long as or longer than conventional plastic. Her company is working to create plastic out of methane gas harvested from wastewater treatment plants. “It can break down in the ocean,” she says. Bridgett Luther, President of Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, helps steer companies toward more responsible solutions for design, manufacturing and packaging their products. She points out that this approach led to market success for one company that eschewed the use of non-recyclable foam in their chairs. “ [Herman Miller] developed one of the fastest selling office chairs ever, the Aeron Chair. The end of use of that Herman Miller chair was a lot of super valuable materials that can be easily recycled.” The household cleaning company Method Products has been harvesting discarded plastic from beaches in Hawaii to produce their Ocean Plastic bottle. “Using the plastic that's already on the planet is a solution that we have today,” says co-founder Adam Lowry. “So I tend to favor solutions that we can employ right now rather than saying, “Yes. The technology is coming.” Despite these promising steps, all agree that it’s going to take a village -- manufacturers, consumers and legislators -- to work together if we’re going to rid our world of plastic waste. Keith Christman, Managing Director for Plastics Markets, American Chemistry Council; Co-chair, Global Action Committee on Marine Litter Adam Lowry, Co-founder and Chief Greenskeeper, Method Products PBC Bridgett Luther, President, Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute Molly Morse, CEO, Mango Materials This program was recorded in front of a live audience at The Commonwealth Club of California on January 30, 2014

Who should take responsibility for reducing the amount of plastic debris that litters our cities, waterways and oceans? While many consumers have given up their plastic grocery bags, most still rely on the convenience of plastic water bottles, liquid soap and fast food in styrofoam containers. “Many of our companies are looking at bio-based materials and other kinds of plastics,” says Keith Christman of the American Chemistry Council. “High density polyethylene, made from sugarcane, is one of the largest uses today of bioplastics.” But is plant-based plastic the answer? As Molly Morse of Mango Materials points out, without oxygen to break them down, bioplastics can last as long as or longer than conventional plastic. Her company is working to create plastic out of methane gas harvested from wastewater treatment plants. “It can break down in the ocean,” she says. Bridgett Luther, President of Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, helps steer companies toward more responsible solutions for design, manufacturing and packaging their products. She points out that this approach led to market success for one company that eschewed the use of non-recyclable foam in their chairs. “ [Herman Miller] developed one of the fastest selling office chairs ever, the Aeron Chair. The end of use of that Herman Miller chair was a lot of super valuable materials that can be easily recycled.” The household cleaning company Method Products has been harvesting discarded plastic from beaches in Hawaii to produce their Ocean Plastic bottle. “Using the plastic that's already on the planet is a solution that we have today,” says co-founder Adam Lowry. “So I tend to favor solutions that we can employ right now rather than saying, “Yes. The technology is coming.” Despite these promising steps, all agree that it’s going to take a village -- manufacturers, consumers and legislators -- to work together if we’re going to rid our world of plastic waste. Keith Christman, Managing Director for Plastics Markets, American Chemistry Council; Co-chair, Global Action Committee on Marine Litter Adam Lowry, Co-founder and Chief Greenskeeper, Method Products PBC Bridgett Luther, President, Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute Molly Morse, CEO, Mango Materials This program was recorded in front of a live audience at The Commonwealth Club of California on January 30, 2014

Who should take responsibility for reducing the amount of plastic debris that litters our cities, waterways and oceans? While many consumers have given up their plastic grocery bags, most still rely on the convenience of plastic water bottles, liquid soap and fast food in styrofoam containers. “Many of our companies are looking at bio-based materials and other kinds of plastics,” says Keith Christman of the American Chemistry Council. “High density polyethylene, made from sugarcane, is one of the largest uses today of bioplastics.” But is plant-based plastic the answer? As Molly Morse of Mango Materials points out, without oxygen to break them down, bioplastics can last as long as or longer than conventional plastic. Her company is working to create plastic out of methane gas harvested from wastewater treatment plants. “It can break down in the ocean,” she says. Bridgett Luther, President of Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, helps steer companies toward more responsible solutions for design, manufacturing and packaging their products. She points out that this approach led to market success for one company that eschewed the use of non-recyclable foam in their chairs. “ [Herman Miller] developed one of the fastest selling office chairs ever, the Aeron Chair. The end of use of that Herman Miller chair was a lot of super valuable materials that can be easily recycled.” The household cleaning company Method Products has been harvesting discarded plastic from beaches in Hawaii to produce their Ocean Plastic bottle. “Using the plastic that's already on the planet is a solution that we have today,” says co-founder Adam Lowry. “So I tend to favor solutions that we can employ right now rather than saying, “Yes. The technology is coming.” Despite these promising steps, all agree that it’s going to take a village -- manufacturers, consumers and legislators -- to work together if we’re going to rid our world of plastic waste. Keith Christman, Managing Director for Plastics Markets, American Chemistry Council; Co-chair, Global Action Committee on Marine Litter Adam Lowry, Co-founder and Chief Greenskeeper, Method Products PBC Bridgett Luther, President, Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute Molly Morse, CEO, Mango Materials This program was recorded in front of a live audience at The Commonwealth Club of California on January 30, 2014

Jack Gerard is the CEO of the American Petroleum Institute. He joins the podcast to discuss the economic impacts of the predicted capital investments in oil and natural gas. He also gives his outlook on the oil & gas industry in 2014 and beyond.  Gerard explains how the latest oil numbers affect jobs. He dissects whether the Obama energy agenda is that of "command and control", and if the U.S. is becoming self-reliant? Gerard finally addresses the myths about prices at the pump being controlled by market factors out of the oil industry's control. Find out more about the American Petroleum Institute at www.api.org. Jack N. Gerard is president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, the national trade association that represents all aspects of America's oil and natural gas industry.   Gerard has led API since November 2008, expanding its membership and influence in all 50 states and globally, adding offices in Dubai and Singapore to its operations in Beijing, enabling API to better inform the public and policymakers on important energy issues. API's Washington presence is the foundation for the oil and natural gas industry's advocacy and outreach at state, federal and global levels on public policy, standards and certification programs, and as the source for information on industry best practices.   Gerard is recognized by numerous publications and his peers as one of Washington's most influential advocates. Washington Life magazine named him one of the city's "Power 100" and a Fortune magazine profile said Gerard's effort to build a 50-state advocacy network for the oil and natural gas industry was "showing signs of success" through its outreach to workers and non-traditional allies.   Prior to joining API, Gerard served as president and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, and earlier held the same position at the National Mining Association. Gerard also spent close to a decade working in the U.S. Senate and House. He came to Washington in 1981, and worked for Rep. George Hansen. He also worked for Sen. James A. McClure, who chaired the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.   Sen. McClure retired in 1990, and Gerard joined him in founding McClure, Gerard & Neuenschwander, Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based government relations consulting firm. Gerard served as Chairman and Chief Executive officer and focused on issues such as international sports, telecommunications, energy and mining.   He serves as a board member and is a past chairman of the National Capital Area Council - Boy Scouts of America, is a board member and former chair of The George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management, is chairman of the board of directors for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, and is a member of the Conservation Fund's Corporate Council.   As the industry's national trade association, API has over 500 members. They range from the largest major oil company to the smallest of independents and represent all segments of the industry.   Gerard was born and grew up in Idaho. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Juris Doctor from George Washington University. Gerard lives in Virginia with his wife, Claudette, and their eight children, including twin boys the family adopted from Guatemala. 

October 12 2011 - This month39s program focuses on Michigan House Bill 4561 dubbed by some as The Technology Torpedo proposing the extension of the current national standard of the state building code update cycle from 3-years up to 6-years. This discussion with host Rick Mason will be with guests Tom Bowes assistant training director of the Electrical Industry Training Center and John Easter Midwest region director of state affairs for the American Chemistry Council. Then an update on the Great Lakes Global Freight Gateway an initiative and coalition of stakeholders looking to leverage our region39s existing assets to develop Michigan into an intermodal freight hub. Guests for this roundtable are Mike Belzer associate professor of economics at Wayne State University and president and CEO of Great Lakes Gateway a not-for-profit Michigan corporation Steve Landes member of the Gateway Executive Committee and Bob Dabrowski director of the Industrial Global Supply Chain group for Newmark Knight Frank.

Energy Efficiency Markets Podcast interviews Jim Kolb, senior director of automotive programs for the plastics division of the American Chemistry Council. He discusses how plastics are used for light-weighting cars for energy efficiency. Contrary to popular belief, lightweight cars are not necessarily small and often rival the safety of their heavier counterparts.

Ever heard of a chemical called Bisphenol-A? Manufacturers use it to make hard, clear, plastics. It's in Nalgene-brand water bottles. It's in the resin linings of food cans. It's in the epoxies dentists use to seal teeth. It's in most plastic baby bottles. And, according to the centers for disease control, it's in the bodies of 19 out of 20 Americans. Visit the Global Chemical Website. Manufacturers of the chemical say that's safe; environmental health advocates say it could be causing developmental damage. And the two will be debating each other when the California legislature takes up a new bill that would ban Bisphenol-A from children's products. On today's Terra Verde, Brian Edwards-Tiekert moderates a debate between Sonya Lunder of the Environmental Working Group and Steven Hentges of the American Chemistry Council. The post Terra Verde – March 30, 2007 appeared first on KPFA.