Episode
Debunking the Plastic Recycling Myth with Susan Keefe
- Podcast
- Health, Happiness, Planet
- Published
- Jun 27, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 4742
- Processing state
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Summary
What if I told you that the plastic cup you just tossed into a Starbucks recycling bin will never actually be recycled? Our guest is Susan Keefe . Susan founded a consulting business called Eco Forward, which is certified as a California Green Business and she also works as, the Southern California Director for Beyond Plastics. She’s, an environmental advocate fighting to reduce single-use plastics via education and the creation/enforcement of strong plastic policies. She also works to expose false recycling claims and demand honesty from corporations and local municipalities. Last year, Susan personally investigated Starbucks' so-called "recyclable" plastic cups alongside her colleague, retired chemical engineer, Jan Dell. They brought the story to CBS television to prove that, despite the custom-labeled recycling bins found in many Starbucks stores, the plastic cups and lids aren’t being recycled at all. The reason? It’s not economically or technically feasible, and there’s no market for them. The plastic waste ends up in landfill, or worst incinerated. Is It’s piling up, and consumers are being misled. But thanks to relentless advocacy and media investigations, Starbucks has finally begun transitioning away from plastic cups in certain states—a small but crucial first step. In this episode, we’ll dive into Susan’s groundbreaking investigation, why corporate accountability is critical, and what you can do to be part of the solution. If you’ve ever believed in the power of recycling, you need to hear this conversation. Timestamps: 03:20 Introduction to Sustainability and Personal Journey. 07:45 Environmental Awakening. 15:40 Investigating Corporate Responsibility: The Starbucks Case. 20:00 The Reality of Plastic Recycling. 24:15 The Economics of Plastic Wast…