The Circle Up Podcast

About The Circle Up Podcast

What if waste wasn’t wasted? Circle Up explores how Philadelphians are reimagining materials, systems and community for a more circular city. Hosted by Circular Philadelphia, each episode spotlights the people and projects reshaping how we recycle, compost, reuse and repair — proving that the circular economy is already taking root in the city of brotherly love. Tune in for stories of creativity, collaboration and change. The Circle Up Podcast is presented by Circular Philadelphia and produced by Meredith Nutting at Cool Goon Productions (https://www.coolgoonproductions.com). This podcast is made possible with support from a grant by the Penn Treaty Special Services District. To learn more about the circular economy and support Circular Philadelphia's work to transform waste and resource systems for all visit circularphiladelphia.org (http://circularphiladelphia.org)

Publisher

Circular Philadelphia

Category

education · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

27 Oct 2025

Latest episode

6 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Mar 2026

   ELECTRONICS

   In this episode of Circle Up, we take a closer look at the electronics that shape our daily lives and the strange journey they take once we’re done with them. Phones, laptops, tablets, earbuds, chargers, monitors, even solar panels… they’re everywhere, and they move through our hands faster than almost any other product category. But unlike cars, which come with a built‑in culture of maintenance and longevity, electronics are designed to cycle quickly. That gap didn’t happen by accident, and it has huge implications for our homes, our communities, and the materials we rely on. To understand what’s happening behind the scenes, we visit Sycamore International, where CEO Steve Figgat oversees one of the region’s most sophisticated electronics refurbishment and reverse‑logistics operations. His team manages the full lifecycle of devices from school district laptops and corporate IT refreshes to municipal electronics drop‑offs sorting, testing, harvesting components, and putting usable equipment back into circulation. Steve gives us a rare look at the physical reality of the electronics ecosystem: the volume, the complexity, the opportunities, and the bottlenecks that keep so many devices sitting idle instead of moving back into use. Then we zoom out with Aaron Perzanowski of the University of Michigan, a leading scholar on the Right to Repair. Aaron helps us understand how design choices, software restrictions, and policy decisions have shaped the modern electronics landscape and why consumers often feel stuck between keeping outdated devices or buying new ones. He traces the legal and economic forces that created today’s electronics culture and explains how emerging Right to Repair laws could open the door to a more durable, more circular future. Featured Sycamore International is a Pennsylvania‑based electronics refurbishment and reverse‑logistics company led by CEO Steve Figgat. Sycamore processes devices from school districts, corporate campuses, and municipal electronics drop‑offs; testing, sorting, repairing, and recirculating equipment to keep valuable materials in use and out of disposal streams. Their work demonstrates what real circular infrastructure for electronics looks like at scale. Learn more at sycamoreinternational.com (http://sycamoreinternational.com). Aaron Perzanowski is a law professor at the University of Michigan and one of the country’s leading experts on the Right to Repair. His research examines how software locks, intellectual property rules, and design choices shape the modern electronics ecosystem; and why consumers often feel stuck between outdated devices and expensive replacements. His work helps chart a path toward a more durable, more circular electronics economy. Learn more at perzanow.ski (http://perzanow.ski). To learn more about the circular economy and support Circular Philadelphia’s work to transform waste and resource systems for all, visit circularphiladelphia.org (http://circularphiladelphia.org).

2. 

   6 Mar 2026

   REPAIR

   On this episode of The Circle Up Podcast, hosts Sam Wittchen and Candice Lawton explore how repair is becoming a key strategy for a modern circular economy. They examine why repair has become harder than it should be, how the right to repair movement is growing, and what it will take to rebuild a strong repair economy that reduces waste, keeps materials in use, and supports local jobs. For decades, everyday fixes were part of normal life. People repaired clothing, tuned up small appliances, and kept household items going for years. Over time, products were designed to be harder to repair and easier to replace, a phenomenon known as planned obsolescence. This shift eroded repair culture, generating more waste and fewer opportunities to keep valuable materials circulating in local communities. But cities across the country, including Philadelphia, are working to change that and rebuild the sense of community that comes from people learning, sharing skills, and solving problems together. The episode begins with Holly Logan, co-founder of the Philly Fixers Guild, an organization that hosts Repair Fairs to create a welcoming community space where neighbors connect, collaborate, and support one another through hands-on problem solving. A fixer sits with a guest and teaches them how to diagnose the issue, use the tools, and understand the repair process. The goal is not for the Fixers Guild to repair the item but to help attendees cultivate the skills and confidence that make repair a normal part of everyday life rather than something only a shop can do. Repair is not a hobby. It is essential infrastructure for a low-waste, circular future. When communities, skilled workers, and better systems come together, repair becomes one of the most effective ways to counter planned obsolescence, reduce waste, keep materials in use, and strengthen local economies. Featured: Philly Fixers Guild is a volunteer-led community repair group co-founded by Holly Logan and Ben Davis. Through monthly Repair Fairs, fixers and guests work together to troubleshoot and repair household items – with a focus on skill-sharing, accessibility, and keeping useful items out of the landfill. Learn more at phillyfixersguild.org (http://phillyfixersguild.org). Emily Watts is the founder of Coblr, a digital platform powering the repair economy. Coblr provides software for repair shops and helps brands build modern repair programs – making repair more transparent, trackable, and easy to access, while supporting local repair providers. For more information visit Coblrshop.com (http://Coblrshop.com). To learn more about the circular economy and support Circular Philadelphia’s work to transform waste and resource systems for all, visit circularphiladelphia.org (http://circularphiladelphia.org).

3. 

   16 Dec 2025

   CONSTRUCTION

   From rowhouse renovations to large-scale development, construction activity reshapes Philadelphia every day. But what happens to the materials left behind after a building project? Construction and demolition debris, from wood and drywall to metal and concrete, is one of the city’s largest waste streams and one of its most powerful opportunities to build circular systems. How these materials are handled after they leave a job site shapes everything from building costs and landfill reliance to whether materials are properly managed or illegally dumped. In this episode, Candice Lawton and Sam Wittchen take listeners inside the fast-moving, behind-the-scenes world of construction and demolition material recovery. They speak with Alan Burns of Richard S. Burns & Company about what it takes to run a high-throughput, multi-generation recycling operation and how Burns has designed and built its own equipment and processing innovations to increase material recovery rates and keep resources in circulation at scale. The conversation continues with Fern Gookin, Director of Sustainability at Revolution Recovery, who explains how her team tackles some of the region’s most challenging mixed loads, processes thousands of tons of debris each day and builds the downstream partnerships that turn recovered materials into reliable circular outcomes. As development continues across Philadelphia, this episode highlights why construction and demolition waste sits at the center of the city’s circular economy potential and how innovation, infrastructure and collaboration are reshaping what happens to the built environment after demolition day. Featured Richard S. Burns & Company A second-generation, Philadelphia-based construction material recycling facility serving contractors across the region. Burns & Company receives, sorts and processes construction and demolition debris, recovering wood, metal, concrete and other materials for reuse and recycling. The company has developed proprietary processing equipment and technologies to increase recovery rates and reduce reliance on landfill disposal. Learn more at burnscompany.net (http://burnscompany.net). Revolution Recovery A regional leader in construction and demolition recycling, Revolution Recovery specializes in processing mixed C&D loads and separating materials into high-value recovery streams. Their work keeps thousands of tons of debris in circulation each day while strengthening downstream markets and local recycling infrastructure. Learn more at revolutionrecovery.com (http://revolutionrecovery.com). To learn more about the circular economy and support Circular Philadelphia’s work to transform waste and resource systems for all, visit circularphiladelphia.org (http://circularphiladelphia.org).

4. 

   15 Dec 2025

   SALVAGE

   Before a vintage lamp shows up at a thrift store or a theater flat gets reused in a new production, somebody had to get it there. That's the part of the circular economy people don't always see: the physical work of salvage. Someone has to be willing to walk into an estate that needs to be cleared in two weeks, a building scheduled for demo, or a theater where sets are about to be trashed. Someone has to see past the mess and the inconvenience to the value that can be unlocked when materials are used again. The episode starts with George Mathes of Thunderbird Salvage, who traces his path from a childhood dream of becoming an archaeologist sparked by finding an arrowhead, to building a business that treats estate clean-outs like excavation sites. For George, salvage is archaeology: uncovering objects with history, understanding their value and deciding what should be preserved. He describes the reality of managing an endless stream of materials from estates, commercial spaces and architectural sites from vintage textiles and oddities to Christmas décor and what it takes to keep materials in circulation instead of letting them become waste. The episode then turns to Philadelphia Scenic Works, where salvage happens on a different scale. This nonprofit intercepts entire stage worlds – flats, props, platforms – before they're demolished after closing night. They provide the warehouse space, the organizational systems, and the skilled labor that allow theaters and schools to share resources instead of building from scratch and trashing everything when the curtain falls. Salvage isn’t passive. It requires infrastructure, time and people willing to do the work most people never see. That effort is what turns reuse from a niche idea into a functioning market Featured: George Mathes is the founder of Thunderbird Salvage, a Philadelphia-based operation that sits at the intersection of material recovery, history, and logistics. Through estate transitions, commercial closures, and architectural changeovers, George and his team step in at moments when buildings and belongings are about to disappear. Thunderbird Salvage turns those moments into opportunities by extracting, sorting, and redistributing materials through a system built for reuse rather than disposal. Follow their work at @thunderbirdsalvage. Philadelphia Scenic Works demonstrates what circularity looks like in practice by treating stage scenery as shared assets, not disposable outputs. Through material recovery, warehousing and coordination, they enable repeated use of scenic resources for theaters, schools and arts organizations while cutting waste and production costs. To learn more about the circular economy and support Circular Philadelphia’s work to transform waste and resource systems for all, visit circularphiladelphia.org (http://circularphiladelphia.org).

5. 

   4 Dec 2025

   TEXTILES

   On any given weekend in Philly, you’ll spot it: racks rolling out onto sidewalks, thrift pop-ups in cafés, people digging for treasures in vintage bins. What looks like a trend is actually something bigger – thousands of Philadelphians taking part in the circular economy without even realizing it. This episode, hosts Candice Lawton and Sam Wittchen explore what really happens to our clothes once we’re done with them – and why textile “recycling” is far more complicated than it sounds. Former textile recycler (and now Circle Compost co-founder) David Bloovman explains how donated clothing is sorted, resold, downcycled into rags, or shredded into fiber, and how fast fashion has overwhelmed every step of the process. Then we turn to Philly businesses offering better ways to keep clothing in use. At Another Chance, owner Holly Heenan shows how consignment extends the life of quality pieces while supporting local makers. And on Fabric Row, Stitch and Destroy founder Haven DeAngelis demonstrates how upcycling, clothing swaps, and sewing skills transform damaged or unwanted textiles into one-of-a-kind garments – proving that our closets can be powerful tools for change. After this episode, one thing becomes clear: keeping clothing in circulation isn’t just a personal choice – it strengthens local businesses, cuts down on textile waste, and helps build a more resilient, reuse-driven Philly. Featured: David Bloovman is the founder of Circle Compost and the former president of the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles (SMART) Association. With over a decade of experience in textile recycling, David offers insight into clothing collection systems, sorting pathways, fiber recovery, and how fast fashion has strained existing recycling markets. Holly Heenan is the owner of Another Chance, a consignment and local-creators boutique in Fishtown that keeps pre-loved fashion in circulation while supporting neighborhood makers and shoppers. Learn more on Instagram at @anotherchance_fishtown (https://www.instagram.com/anotherchance_fishtown/). Haven DeAngelis is the founder of Stitch and Destroy, an upcycled alternative fashion brand and storefront on Fabric Row. Using textile waste, vintage pieces, and deadstock, Stitch and Destroy creates one-of-a-kind garments, hosts clothing swaps and workshops, and showcases work from local reuse-focused artists. Learn more at stitchanddestroy.com (http://stitchanddestroy.com). To learn more about the circular economy and support Circular Philadelphia’s work to transform waste and resource systems for all, visit circularphiladelphia.org (http://circularphiladelphia.org).

6. 

   4 Dec 2025

   RESALE

   What if that box in your closet is worth more than you think – and someone nearby is searching for exactly what's inside? Look around your home for a second. Art supplies you swore you'd use, leftover building materials from that one project, clothes that don't quite fit anymore, books you loved but know you won't reread. Most of us aren't holding onto this stuff because we need it – we just don't know what to do with it. In this episode of Circle Up, hosts Candice Lawton and Sam Wittchen dive into resale: one of the simplest, most accessible ways to keep materials in use and out of the landfill. First, they visit The Resource Exchange, where Executive Director Karen Gerred shows how the nonprofit rescues everything from film-set lumber to fabric scraps, art supplies, and props – keeping them local and affordable for makers across the city. Karen also walks us through how their old-school referral list evolved into ResourcePhilly.org (http://ResourcePhilly.org), a citywide platform that helps residents figure out where to donate, repair, recycle, or buy reused materials. Then, it's off to The Head & The Hand Books, where Project Director Linda Gallant explains what circularity looks like in the world of books. Through their Book Bank program, neighbors can trade in gently used titles for store credit, refresh their shelves, and support a community bookstore instead of clicking over to Amazon. By the end of the episode, you'll see resale differently – not as a chore or a side hustle, but as a way to give your stuff a second life while supporting the people and places that make it possible. Turns out, letting go doesn't mean throwing away. Featured: Karen Gerred, Executive Director of The Resource Exchange, leads Philadelphia’s creative reuse center, which rescues surplus materials from film sets, studios, businesses, and households – everything from lumber and props to fabrics and art supplies – and redistributes them locally at low cost. Learn more: theresourceexchange.org (http://theresourceexchange.org). Linda Gallant, Project Director at The Head & The Hand and H&H Books, helps keep books in circulation through community publishing, a neighborhood bookstore, and their Book Bank program, where donated books earn store credit and find new readers. Learn more: theheadandthehand.com (http://theheadandthehand.com). ResourcePhilly is a citywide online tool created by The Resource Exchange and Circular Philadelphia. Launched in 2025, it helps residents find where to donate, repair, recycle, buy used, rent, or borrow items across the region, making reuse simple and accessible. Explore: ResourcePhilly.org (http://ResourcePhilly.org). To learn more about the circular economy and support Circular Philadelphia’s work, visit circularphiladelphia.org (http://circularphiladelphia.org).

7. 

   21 Nov 2025

   FOOD SYSTEMS

   What would your trash say about how you eat? For most of us, it’s a mix of takeout containers, cans, and plastic packaging. In Philadelphia, that adds up fast – and our food system is a major driver of single-use waste. This time, hosts Candice Lawton and Sam Wittchen explore what it takes to redesign how food gets to our plates. Building on earlier conversations about recycling, reuse, and composting, they look at how local businesses are cutting packaging, shortening supply chains, and keeping value in the region. Munish Narula of Tiffin shares how customer pressure led his restaurant group to launch a reusable takeout container program – and what it took to make it work technologically, financially, and within city health codes. Then Dylan Baird of Philly Food Works explains how their online farmers market strengthens Philadelphia’s local food network by sourcing mostly within 150 miles and using returnable or home-compostable packaging, reducing waste long before it exists. Along with a contribution from Fishtown Seafood, this episode highlights how circular thinking in food – from containers and logistics to pricing and partnerships – can reduce waste, support local producers, and build a more resilient food system for Philadelphia. Featured: Munish Narula, founder of Tiffin, a Philadelphia-based Indian restaurant group known for adopting reusable takeout containers that cut single-use waste while improving long-term operations. For more information visit tiffin.com (http://tiffin.com). Dylan Baird, founder & CEO of Philly Foodworks, an online farmers market connecting customers to local producers within roughly 150 miles. Through reusable and compostable packaging, farmer partnerships, and donation systems, PFW is building a more circular regional food network. Learn more at phillyfoodworks.com (http://phillyfoodworks.com). Fishtown Seafood, led by Bryan Szeliga, is a Philadelphia seafood market focused on transparency, responsible sourcing, and climate-conscious practices. For more information visit fishtownseafood.com (http://fishtownseafood.com). To learn more about the circular economy and support Circular Philadelphia’s work to transform waste and resource systems for all, visit circularphiladelphia.org (http://circularphiladelphia.org).

8. 

   21 Nov 2025

   COMPOST

   What if the banana peel on your counter, last night’s coffee grounds or the leaves piling up outside could reduce waste, build healthier soil and strengthen local communities? In Philadelphia, organic materials like these hold enormous untapped potential. In this episode of Circle Up, hosts Candice Lawton and Sam Wittchen dig into composting as one of the most powerful and practical circular solutions we have. They explore why organic waste is such an important piece of Philadelphia’s sustainability puzzle and how transforming it can create real benefits for neighborhoods, growers, and the regional economy. Listeners also get a behind-the-scenes look at two local innovators turning food scraps into impact. Tim Bennett of Bennett Compost shares how his team serves thousands of households and businesses each week, producing nutrient-rich compost for growers across the region. David Bloovman of Circle Compost explains how their hyper-local pickups from homes, restaurants, schools, and community groups are processed with nearby farms to keep nutrients cycling back into the soil. Together, they show how composting can shift us from a throwaway mindset to a regenerative one, where everyday scraps become resources that support healthy soil, thriving farms, and a more sustainable Philadelphia. Featured: Tim Bennett – founder of Bennett Compost – Philadelphia-based food scrap collection service supporting 6,000+ households and 100+ businesses weekly. Bennett Compost transforms organic waste into high-quality compost and soil blends used by community gardens and urban farms. Learn more at bennettcompost.com (http://bennettcompost.com). David Bloovman - co-founder and president of Circle Compost – a doorstep food scrap collection service for homes, restaurants, schools, and institutions across Philadelphia. All materials are processed locally with farm partners to reduce landfill emissions and strengthen regional soil systems. For more information visit circlecompost.com (http://circlecompost.com). Represented by President & CEO Nancy Goldenberg and Assistant Superintendent Ryan Bird, Laurel Hill Cemetery shares innovative circular approaches to end-of-life practices, including green burials. Learn more at laurelhillphl.com (http://laurelhillphl.com). To learn more about Circular Philadelphia’s work and the circular economy, visit circularphiladelphia.org (http://circularphiladelphia.org).

9. 

   14 Nov 2025

   REUSE

   We all know recycling is important – but is it enough to fix our waste problem? In the last episode, hosts Candice Lawton, Executive Director of Circular Philadelphia, and co-founder Samantha Wittchen introduced listeners to the circular economy and explained why smarter systems like recycling are key to keeping materials in use. In today’s episode, they turn to another core principle of the circular economy: reuse Reuse isn’t a new concept at all. Decades ago, people brought glass bottles to be refilled, reused metal containers and relied on durable goods long before the rise of single-use plastics and convenience packaging. It’s time to shift back. In this episode, Ray Daly of Ray’s Reusables shares the story of her refill shop that’s making low-waste living accessible to everyone. Then, Rebecca Davies of Remark Glass and Bottle Underground explains how discarded glass is transformed into new products while keeping value and materials in the local loop. Through their inspiring stories and the voices of customers and community members – this episode shows that reuse is more than a trend. It’s a growing movement creating environmental impact, local jobs and a stronger circular economy for Philadelphia. Featured: Ray Daly is the founder of Ray’s Reusables (https://raysreusables.com/), a Philly based plastic-free shop and refill station stocking all your low waste household essentials, making sustainable living accessible, affordable and convenient for everyday people — so that a less wasteful and environmentally damaging lifestyle is not a luxury. For more information visit raysreusables.com (http://raysreusables.com), (https://raysreusables.com/) Rebecca Davies co‑founded Remark Glass (https://remarkglass.com/) and its sister non-profit, Bottle Underground (https://www.bottleunderground.org/), which are redefining glass recycling in Philadelphia. Approximately 50–70 thousand tons of glass are sent to landfills in the city each year. When residents recycle glass through the single-stream system, it is crushed in the truck and becomes too contaminated to be remelted, ultimately ending up as landfill cover. Remark Glass and Bottle Underground offer a better approach: Bottle Underground collects bottles and jars from local businesses and community members, and a portion of this glass is transformed by Remark Glass into small-batch home accessories, creating a sustainable art form while keeping glass in use locally. For more information visit remarkglass.com (http://remarkglass.com) (https://remarkglass.com/)and bottleunderground.org (http://bottleunderground.org) To learn more about the circular economy and support Circular Philadelphia's work to transform waste and resource systems for all visit circularphiladelphia.org (http://circularphiladelphia.org)

10. 

    27 Oct 2025

    RECYCLING

    Have you heard of the circular economy? Most people haven’t, but you likely participate every day through recycling, reuse and other sustainable choices. In this episode of Circle Up, Circular Philadelphia explains what the circular economy is, why Philadelphia is ready for change and how everyday actions fit into a larger system. We take a deep dive into recycling in Philadelphia, including common mistakes, contamination and practical ways to recycle more effectively. Guests Ben Ditzler from Dyvert and Matt Siegfried from Rabbit Recycling share how their services make recycling easier and give hard-to-recycle materials a second life. Learn the story of Circular Philadelphia, from its early advocacy for smarter waste systems to its mission of creating a truly circular city. Whether you’re a Philadelphia local or interested in sustainable living, this episode dives in to how the circular economy works in practice and how everyone can help keep materials in use longer. Featured: Ben Ditzler is the Founder and Owner of Dyvert (https://www.dyvert.com), a company on a mission to make recycling obvious. Dyvert provides clear, practical solutions to reduce recycling contamination and make everyday recycling easier for individuals and businesses. Matt Siegfried is the Co-Owner of Rabbit Recycling (https://www.rabbitrecycling.com) which offers subscription and drop-off services for recycling hard-to-recycle materials, i.e. materials you can't put into your blue curbside bin. Rabbit Recycling is on a mission to enable zero waste in a bucket. Special Guests: Laurel Hill Cemetery’s President and CEO Nancy Goldenberg and Assistant Superintendent Ryan Bird To learn more about the circular economy and support Circular Philadelphia's work to transform waste and resource systems for all visit circularphiladelphia.org (http://circularphiladelphia.org)

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

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