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In today’s episode, Stephanie McLarty sits down with Julie Cole, co-founder of Mabel’s Labels to uncover the story behind the business. Julie shares how Mabels Labels integrates eco-conscious practices into everything, from product design to operations. This episode offers real-world insights and actionable advice for businesses looking to embrace sustainability while staying true to their values.

Takeaways:
✅ They have successfully repurposed non-recyclable material into insulation
✅ Teamwork and shared values are crucial for achieving sustainability goals
✅ Businesses should start small and gradually incorporate sustainability into their practices one step at a time.

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Summary

In this conversation, Stephanie McLarty and Heidi Frasure discuss actionable circularity tips in celebration of Earth Week. They emphasize the importance of reframing messaging, redefining value in sustainability, and activating strategies to engage teams in sustainability efforts. The discussion highlights the need for integration of sustainability goals into corporate strategies and the importance of community impact. The conversation concludes with advice for sustainability professionals to take care of themselves amidst the challenges of the industry.

Takeaways

• Reframe your messaging to be more inclusive and engaging.
• Focus on how your sustainability efforts make people feel.
• Redefine value by integrating financial and social wins.
• Engage your entire workforce in sustainability efforts.
• Integrate sustainability goals into corporate strategies.
• Use storytelling to communicate the impact of sustainability initiatives.
• Recognize the importance of community impact in sustainability efforts.
• Sustainability is a team sport; everyone has a role to play.

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If you like our podcasts, please leave us a review on Spotify or Apple or wherever you get your podcasts from.
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The often-invisible backbone of our digital world, the physical infrastructure of data centers, carries significant environmental weight when it reaches the end of its operational life. This podcast episode delves into the crucial yet frequently overlooked process of data center decommissioning. Mark Petrie from Quantum Lifecycle Partners sheds light on the complexities involved as organizations increasingly migrate to the cloud due to the demands of artificial intelligence and the need for technology refreshes, all while navigating cybersecurity concerns. This shift generates a constant stream of retired IT equipment, laden with both valuable materials and sensitive information.

Key Takeaways:

• Cloud migration and AI growth increase data center decommissioning, requiring secure and responsible handling.
• Successful migration needs careful planning: application mapping, prioritized steps, and contingency plans.
• Choose certified partners (NAID for security, R2v3 for environment) for responsible decommissioning.
• Proper handling enables circular economy benefits: mineral recovery, reduced impact, and potential returns.
• Explore resources like Quantum Lifecycle Partners for secure, sustainable technology transitions.

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10x the Energy of a Google Search: The Hidden Environmental Impact of AI.
In this episode of The Circular Future podcast, host Stephanie McLarty, Head of Sustainability at Quantum Lifecycle Partners, dives into the environmental consequences of artificial intelligence. This episode uncovers the hidden costs of AI, including its massive energy, water, and material demands, while also exploring how AI can be part of the solution to sustainability challenges. Through insights and actionable strategies, this episode equips listeners to champion responsible AI use and circular economy practices in their businesses and communities.

Key Takeaways:

• A single ChatGPT query consumes **10x the electricity** of a Google search, highlighting AI's significant energy demands.
• Data centers powering AI require vast amounts of raw materials, rare earth metals, and water, with global AI water usage projected to exceed Denmark’s annual consumption by 2027.
• AI has the potential to aid sustainability efforts by optimizing energy use, tracking emissions, and preventing environmental disasters.
• Promoting circularity through electronics reuse and recycling helps recover valuable materials and reduces e-waste.
• Individuals and businesses can mitigate AI’s environmental impact by using it mindfully, advocating for sustainable practices, and partnering with certified recyclers like Quantum Lifecycle Partners.

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In this episode of The Circular Future , host Stephanie McLarty, Head of Sustainability at Quantum Lifecycle Partners, sits down with two leading voices in the circular economy movement: Jo-Anne St. Godard, Executive Director of the Circular Innovation Council, and Paul Shorthouse, Managing Director of Circular Economy Leadership Canada (CELC). Together, they explore how a circular economy can address some of society’s most pressing challenges—beyond just resource efficiency and clean tech. From affordability and housing crises to climate change, the conversation dives into actionable strategies for businesses, governments, and individuals to transition toward a more sustainable future.

The discussion also highlights key initiatives from both organizations, including their collaboration on the upcoming Canadian Circular Economy Summit in Montreal, where leaders from across industries will convene to share innovations, best practices, and actionable solutions.

Key Takeaways

• The circular economy rethinks production, consumption, and resource management, offering solutions to affordability, housing, and climate crises.
• Collaboration across industries, governments, and communities is key to driving systemic change, as shown by the Canadian Circular Economy Summit.
• A circular economy creates economic opportunities, including jobs, innovation, and resilience, while addressing issues like affordability and housing.
• Practical projects, like reusable packaging and organics collection systems, prove circular systems work and scale for greater impact.
• Everyone has a role in the circular economy—start small at the summit, but commit to long-term action for lasting change.

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Stephanie McLarty, Head of Sustainability at Quantum Lifecycle Partners, unpacks the critical 2025 amendments to the Basel Convention and their impact on global e-waste management. Learn how new rules governing transboundary movements of electronic waste could reshape supply chains, compliance requirements, and recycling practices—even for businesses not directly involved in international trade.

Key Takeaways:

• Basel Convention Basics: Established in 1989 to regulate hazardous waste trade, now expanded to include stricter controls on e-waste (e-Amendments).
• New Definitions: Covers whole electronics, components (e.g., circuit boards), and processed fractions (e.g., shredded materials).
• Prior Informed Consent (PIC): Exporters must obtain written approval from importing countries before shipping regulated materials.
• Country-Specific Rules: Implementation varies by nation (e.g., Canada’s exemption for OECD imports), creating compliance complexity.
• Supply Chain Ripple Effects: Indirect impacts on pricing, turnaround times, and certifications (e.g., R2V3 compliance risks).
• Action Steps: Audit supply chains, stay updated on regulatory shifts, and collaborate with certified partners like Quantum.

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In this podcast episode, Stephanie McLarty speaks with Julie-Ann Adams about the evolving landscape of European legislation affecting sustainability, particularly in the realms of e-waste and battery recycling. They discuss the complexities of the EU Waste Shipment Regulation, the implications of the Basel Convention changes, and the upcoming battery legislation. Julie-Ann emphasizes the importance of understanding these regulations for companies operating in or exporting to Europe, highlighting the need for proactive measures to ensure compliance and sustainability.

Takeaways

• Europe is leading in environmental protections and legislation.
• The EU Waste Shipment Regulation has new administrative requirements.
• The Basel Convention now bans hazardous waste shipments to non-OECD countries.
• Battery legislation will require removable batteries by 2027.
• Companies need to understand the complexities of EU regulations.
• Networking and joining professional associations are crucial for compliance.
• Digital tracking of hazardous waste will enhance transparency.
• Proactivity is essential for companies to remain competitive.
• Understanding the supply chain is vital for compliance with new laws.

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If you like our podcasts, please leave us a review on Spotify or Apple or wherever you get your podcasts from.
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In this conversation, Stephanie McLarty and Geoff Aardsma discuss the intersection of sustainability and technology, particularly focusing on how automation, AI, and big data can enhance business efficiency and support circular economy initiatives. Jeff shares insights on AMCS's role in resource management, the importance of engaging upstream in recycling processes, and the current state of technology adoption in various industries. They also explore the financial implications of implementing these technologies, the need for senior leadership buy-in, and the significance of maintaining curiosity in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Takeaways

• Digital tools are essential for enabling circularity.
• Automation can significantly improve recycling efficiency.
• Companies are still early in their digital transformation journey.
• Regulations influence sustainability practices but businesses act for competitive advantage.
• Mature organizations spread automation across all functions.
• Financial analysis is key to justifying automation investments.

Thanks for listening!

If you like our podcasts, please leave us a review on Spotify or Apple or wherever you get your podcasts from.
Want to be a guest on The Circular Future podcast? Email Sanjay Trivedi at strivedi@quantumlifecycle.com

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