Welcome to Packaging Simplified, the podcast where we discuss the world of packaging for consumer packaged goods (or CPGs). Join us as we unpack the pieces shaping the packaging world today.
Inside a Modern Recycling Facility with Dale Gubbels of Firststar Recycling
Recycling feels simple on the surface: put items in the bin. Set it at the curb. Done.
The reality is far more complex.
In this episode of the Packaging Simplified podcast, we sat down with Dale Gubbels (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-gubbels-1215936/), founder of Firstar Recycling (https://www.firststarrecycling.com/), to talk about what really happens after the truck drives away. Dale shared what he sees every day on the tip floor of one of the largest recycling facilities in Nebraska. His insights challenge common assumptions about recycling, packaging design, and shared responsibility.
This conversation offers a rare look inside a modern Materials Recovery Facility, or MRF (pronounced “murf”), and what it will take to build a true circular economy.
Recommended Resources and Further Reading
Check out these resources for more info:
Firstar Recycling (https://www.firststarrecycling.com/)
Firstar Plastic Lumber (https://www.firststarrecycling.com/plastic-lumber)
APR Design Guide for Recyclability (https://plasticsrecycling.org/design-guide-welcome-page/)
U.S. Plastics Pact (https://usplasticspact.org/)
Hefty Renew Orange Bag Recycling Program (https://www.hefty.com/hefty-renew/accepted-items)
EPA Recycling and Materials Management Resources (https://www.epa.gov/smm)
Recycling Infrastructure Challenges Under EPR (https://www.paramountglobal.com/knowledge/recycling-infrastructure-challenges-under-epr/)
3 Jun 2025
Sustainable Packaging Design with the APR Design Guide
Rebecca Mick, Program Director at APR, discusses sustainable packaging design using the APR Design Guide with hosts Joe and Marcos in an interview, offering insights into plastic recycling.
17 Oct 2024
Manufacturing Packaging Sustainably
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Lisa Huett from Pretium Packaging (https://www.pretiumpkg.com/) to discuss sustainability in the packaging industry for episode two of the Packaging Simplified Podcast.
Learn more about Paramount Global at https://www.paramountglobal.com/ (https://www.paramountglobal.com/)
You can also find us on social at: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/paramount-global/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ParamountGlbl/), X / Twitter (https://x.com/paramountglbl?lang=en)
Show Notes:
Surveys with sustainable packaging data referenced in the episode:
Global Data: ESG in Packaging (https://www.globaldata.com/store/report/esg-in-packaging-theme-analysis/) or Sustainable Packaging Market (by country) (https://www.globaldata.com/store/industry/sustainable-packaging-market/)
Boston Consulting: Are Consumers Willing to Pay More for Net Zero Production (https://www.bcg.com/publications/2023/consumers-are-willing-to-pay-for-net-zero-production)
World Economic Forum: Accelerating reuse models to achieve a world free of plastic waste (https://www.weforum.org/impact/accelerating-reuse-models-world-free-of-plastic-waste/) or Why brands must make reusable packaging a commercial priority (https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/03/reusable-packaging-commercial-priority/)
Organizations referenced in the episode:
Ameripen (https://www.ameripen.org/)
US Plastic Pact (https://usplasticspact.org/)
Science Based Target Initiative (SBTI) (https://sciencebasedtargets.org/)
Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) (https://plasticsrecycling.org/)
Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC): EPR Guide (https://epr.sustainablepackaging.org/)
Additional related reading from the Paramount Global Knowledge Blog
What is PCR Plastic in Packaging? (https://www.paramountglobal.com/knowledge/what-is-pcr-plastic-in-packaging/)
What is Ocean-Bound Plastic (OBP)? (https://www.paramountglobal.com/knowledge/what-is-ocean-bound-plastic/)
NIR Plastic Sorting & Its Impact on Packaging (https://www.paramountglobal.com/knowledge/nir-plastic-sorting/)
Mechanical vs Chemical Post Consumer Recycled Resin (https://www.paramountglobal.com/knowledge/mechanical-chemical-post-consumer-recycled-resin/)
Recycle Numbers: Is Your Package Recyclable (https://www.paramountglobal.com/knowledge/recycle-by-number/)
18 Jul 2024
Introduction to the Packaging Simplified Podcast
An introduction about the Packaging Simplified Podcast. Get to know our hosts Joe Simich and Marcos Garcia Jones and their background with Paramount Global (https://www.paramountglobal.com/) - a packaging distributor who provides unparalleled value through integrated solutions of packaging, transportation and warehousing.
Highlights include goals with the podcast and future episode topics, starting with packaging sustainability!
Learn more about Paramount Global at https://www.paramountglobal.com/ (https://www.paramountglobal.com/)
You can also find us on social at: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/paramount-global/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ParamountGlbl/), X / Twitter (https://x.com/paramountglbl?lang=en)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 25 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
37
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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