Next-Life Possibilities for $100B of Plastic Waste ft. Raffi Schieir

In this episode, Kaitlyn Allen engages in an exciting conversation with Raffi Schieir, Founder of Bantam Materials UK Ltd. Raffi is a well-respected leader in the plastics space, having established a market-leading Prevented Ocean Plastic program that is shaping the future of ocean-bound plastics. 

Originally from Canada, Raffi moved to the UK in 2011 to establish the UK division of Bantam Materials Inc. In his remarkable journey, Raffi has chaired Europe's prominent plastic recycling conference (ICIS 2017) and has been nominated as Recycling Ambassador of the Year in the UK and Europe. 

Taking a hands-on approach to understanding the issues and opportunities around plastic pollution, Raffi partnered with leading supply experts to create a fully traceable supply chain for Prevented Ocean Plastic in 2019. Since then, this initiative has blossomed into an award-winning program that works with global brands and producers to create tangible change. Additionally, the Prevented Ocean Plastic Research Centre complements this work with evidence-based research. 

Our planet is grappling with plastic waste valued at a staggering $100 billion. Nearly a billion bottles have been diverted from the ocean, and the number is rising exponentially as opportunities and solutions expand. Tune in as Kaitlyn and Raffi unpack how this waste can be transformed into a force for positive change, both socially and economically.

Additionally, they explore the challenges of establishing collecting infrastructures in rural and coastal communities intricately tied to the '25 by 2025' initiative. This conversation is also a reminder of the connection between plastic and carbon footprints. While some companies have regressed in plastics recycling due to economic factors, others have taken bold strides forward with intentional commitments to this work. These businesses exemplify that doing good and generating profits need not be mutually exclusive.

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Episode Resource Links

Raffi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raffi-schieir-83b4643a/ 

Prevented Ocean Plastic Website: https://www.preventedoceanplastic.com/

Prevented Ocean Plastic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/preventedoceanplastic/

Prevented Ocean Plastic Twitter: https://twitter.com/PreventOPlastic

25 by 2023 Initiative: https://www.preventedoceanplastic.com/prevented-ocean-plastic-on-a-mission-to-open-25-collection-centres-by-2025/