67: Transforming Household Waste Into Climate-Positive Thermoplastics (ft. Derek Schaefer)

Where there are people, there is waste. And with so many of us, the amount of waste generated has reached 2 billion tons a year and continues to grow at an alarming rate. What if there was a way to put all this waste to good use? This is exactly the question that sparked the foundation of UBQ Materials.

 

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Today we welcome Derek Schaefer, the Vice President of Sales and Business Development at UBQ Materials, a company that converts unsorted, “unrecyclable” waste to thermoplastics.

 

With him we discuss:

 

🔹️How can you turn a chicken bone or banana peel into common polymers like polypropylene and polystyrene

🔹️How can you use your knowledge of materials science and engineering to contribute to UBQ’s mission. 

🔹And much more!

 

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Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed by either guests or hosts in this show are their own, and do not represent the opinions of the companies or organizations with which they are affiliated.