Reuse, Reuse, Reuse! How a Tradititional Concept Can Help Reduce Plastic Waste

Reuse, Reuse, Reuse! How a Tradititional Concept Can Help Reduce Plastic Waste

Author: Anja Krieger November 26, 2025 Duration: 26:38
You’ve probably heard the mantra of reduce, reuse, recycle. And oftentimes, it’s that last word, recycle, that we think of when looking to solve plastic pollution. But the order of that mantra has a deeper meaning, it’s a hierachy, sorted by priorities. So to reduce the waste we produce, the first and best way is to reduce what we use. If that’s not possible, the second best option is to reuse, to repair, or repurpose. Only if if that is not viable anymore should we consider recycling. We already discussed these steps towards a circular economy in our previous episode. In this follow-up, we’ll take a look at reuse with Froilan Grate, the Asia-Pacific Director of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), based in the Philippines, and Salisa Traipipitsiriwat from Thailand, a Senior Campaigner at the Environmental Justice Foundation, also part of GAIA. Intro in Thai by Salisa.

Anja Krieger hosts Plastisphere: A podcast on plastic pollution in the environment, a series that digs into the complex story of synthetic polymers. This isn't just a catalog of environmental damage, though that reality is confronted directly. Instead, the podcast carefully examines how these materials, foundational to contemporary life, now permeate every corner of the natural world and our own bodies. Anja guides listeners through a nuanced exploration, asking whether a sustainable coexistence is even possible. She doesn't provide easy answers but facilitates necessary conversations, bringing together researchers, activists, industry insiders, and communities on the front lines. Each episode is built on specific stories and scientific insights, moving from the deep ocean to human bloodstreams to policy halls. You'll hear about the chemistry of plastics, their journey as waste, and the cultural and economic systems that perpetuate their use. The strength of this podcast lies in its commitment to presenting a genuine spectrum of perspectives, avoiding simple blame in favor of understanding a truly global dilemma. It’s a thoughtful, sometimes surprising, and always human-centered look at one of the most defining material challenges of our time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Plastisphere: A podcast on plastic pollution in the environment
Podcast Episodes
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