The Environmental Transformation Podcast with Sean Grady

• Sourgum CEO Joe DiNardi-Mack on Bringing Tech Innovation to Waste and Recycling

  Sourgum co-founder and CEO Joe DiNardi-Mack shares how his team is using technology, AI, and data analytics to modernize the waste and recycling industry. He discusses scaling a nationwide waste management platform, supporting local haulers, improving routing and diversion rates, and offering enterprise waste solutions. Topics include waste management software, recycling technology, sustainability strategies, startup growth, Series A funding, and building an operating system for waste services across the U.S.Thanks to our Sponsors: WASTELINQ, E-Tank, and Cascade Environmental

  --------  

  39:03

  --------

  39:03
• Lisa Foster: Emotional Intelligence Training and One-on-One Meeting Tips for Managers

  Lisa Foster is a business coach, speaker, and author of Bag Lady: How I Started a Business for a Greener World and Changed the Way America Shops. In this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady talks with Lisa about her journey founding 1 Bag at a Time, Inc., one of the first reusable grocery bag companies in the U.S., and how she scaled it to sell millions of bags. Lisa shares insights on leadership, emotional intelligence, and building high-performing teams. She also previews her free one-hour training on one-on-one meetings and her upcoming six-week leadership series.To receive at 20% discount on Lisa's Leadership Essentials course starting September 24, 2025, sign up here!https://calendly.com/lisadfoster/leadership-essentials-group-coaching-series-cloneThanks to our sponsors: Cascade Environmental, E-Tank, and WASTELINQ.

  --------  

  59:00

  --------

  59:00
• The evolving Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) landscape and its impact on industry with Meaghan Hembree Attorney at Holland and Knight

  In this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady talks with Meaghan Colligan Hembree, Environmental, Compliance & Disputes Partner at Holland & Knight in Washington, D.C. She counsels Fortune 500 companies and global brands on chemical risk, environmental compliance, and high-stakes disputes.Hembree explains extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws, how they affect packaging, plastics, recycling, and supply chains, and what companies must do to prepare for compliance across states and globally. The discussion also covers the China waste import ban, circular economy challenges, and the future of recycling infrastructure.00:00 Why Recycling Needs a National Approach01:13 Meet Megan Colligan Hembry: EPR Legal Expert02:25 EPR Explained: Extended Producer Responsibility04:54 The 2018 Turning Point & Policy Responses07:19 Industry's Struggle: Adapting to China’s Ban11:39 How Companies Organize for EPR Compliance13:38 Packaging, Supply Chains, and Regulatory Complexity16:14 Operational Challenges Inside EPR Programs18:46 EPR’s Impact on Product and Package Design21:24 Data Collection & Reporting Complexities24:50 Making Packaging Truly Recyclable28:12 Beyond Packaging: Tires, Batteries & Other EPR Products32:48 Does EPR Drive Innovation and Sustainability?35:47 Federal vs State EPR: Who Should Take the Lead?40:19 RCRA, Universal Waste, and Circular Economy Paths45:47 Will EPR Raise Prices? Costs, Consumers & Fairness50:03 Will EPR Actually Improve Recycling for Consumers?52:00 Why Systematic Recycling Education Matters54:34 Making Recycling Trendy & Accessible55:40 Closing Thoughts & Outlook on EPR and SustainabilityOpvTDfEuhQpfjN4UpcG5

  --------  

  56:14

  --------

  56:14
• Relyion Energy Inc: Redefining Energy Management Through AI-Powered Energy Forecasting

  Host Sean Grady interviews Dr. Surinder Singh, CEO and co-founder of Relyion Energy Inc. Dr. Singh explains how his company is reshaping energy management through AI-driven forecasting, energy management systems (EMS), and battery management systems (BMS). He shares the story behind Relyion's technology, how it extends battery life up to 20 years, and why utility-scale clients, data centers, and commercial operators are turning to their solutions for smarter, more efficient energy usage. Learn how Relyion outperformed traditional forecasting tools by 13x in ERCOT and why now is the right time to adopt these game-changing innovations.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Surinder Singh and Relyion Energy02:13 – The Three Pillars: Forecasting, EMS, and BMS07:25 – Extending Battery Life Beyond 20 Years12:40 – Relyion’s Early Use of Recycled EV Batteries16:50 – Transitioning from Product Demonstration to Platform Innovation21:30 – Minimal-Invasive Technology and Deployment Flexibility24:42 – Beating Traditional Forecasting Models: PG&E and ERCOT Case Studies29:58 – The Power of Forecasting + EMS for Grid Efficiency34:22 – Grocery Store Case Study: ROI in Under 3 Years38:09 – EV Charging, Microgrids, and Peak Shaving Optimization41:32 – Battery Agnosticism and Real-Time Adaptation48:40 – Implementation Timeline and Customer Onboarding53:01 – Cloud-Based Forecasting and Edge AI Hardware56:11 – Commercial Growth and Market Expansion59:55 – Relyion’s Holistic Approach vs. Siloed Competition1:03:05 – Utility Design and Grid Planning Applications1:05:28 – Gen AI and New Demands on the Grid1:07:20 – How to Connect with Relyion Energy🔗 Learn more: https://www.relyionenergy.com📧 Contact: [email protected]#EnvironmentalTransformation #EnergyAI #BatteryTech #UtilityGrid #Sustainability #CleanTech #DrSurinderSingh #RelyionEnergy #PodcastChapters

  --------  

  52:21

  --------

  52:21
• Implementing safe drinking water policy for PFAS & Lead Pipes - Alan Roberson, Director of the ASDWA

  In this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady talks with Alan Roberson, Executive Director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA). Roberson shares insights from over 34 years in water policy, including how ASDWA supports state drinking water agencies, challenges of PFAS regulation, and the impact of federal funding shortfalls on public health protection. The discussion covers drinking water regulations, the role of state labs, infrastructure funding, workforce shortages, and more.Chapters with Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction and Guest Background02:12 – What Is ASDWA and Its Mission04:33 – ASDWA’s Role in Federal Rulemaking07:05 – PFAS Regulation Updates and Compliance Timelines13:42 – State Data Sharing and Collaboration18:20 – Concerns Over GenX and Short-Chain PFAS22:01 – Cost of Compliance and Affordability26:44 – Federal Funding Gaps and SRF Limitations31:10 – Holding Polluters Accountable34:40 – State-Level PFAS Standards and Support38:02 – Lab Testing Capacity and State Limitations42:35 – Lead Pipe Inventories and Replacement Challenges46:10 – Regulatory Burdens and Ratepayer Equity49:20 – Infrastructure Needs and Workforce Challenges54:00 – ASDWA’s Top Priorities for 202557:30 – Final Thoughts and ClosingPFAS drinking water rule, Safe Drinking Water Act, lead pipe replacement, Alan Roberson, ASDWA, EPA drinking water standards, public health and water utilities, SRF funding, UCMR5, GenX chemicals, state drinking water labs, water infrastructure, environmental policy, clean water initiatives, water workforce shortage, environmental transformation podcast

  --------  

  59:40

  --------

  59:40

More Science podcasts

Trending Science podcasts

About The Environmental Transformation Podcast with Sean Grady