Don’t Trash the Foam: Why Styrofoam is the Most Misunderstood Material on Earth

In this "Where Are They Now?" episode, host Al Del Degan reconnects with Robert Herritt, the mastermind behind Styro Ventures. Since his last appearance on LIBI in 2021, Robert has transformed a local recycling initiative into a national juggernaut, expanding from a single pickup truck in Calgary to operations spanning Canada and soon the United States. Robert pulls back the curtain on the circular economy, debunking the myth that Styrofoam is non-recyclable garbage and revealing how it is being transformed into everything from home insulation to cabinetry. We also dive into his cutting-edge "Styro Track" software—a transparency tool that lets clients track their waste in real-time, ensuring it never hits a landfill. If you are interested in green tech, rapid business scaling, or simply want to know where your recycling fees actually go, you cannot afford to miss this conversation.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast where we showcase fascinating people who are Leaders, Innovators, and have Big Ideas! Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry.

Guest: Robert Herritt, Serial entrepreneur for 20 years. From airline pilot background to Eco-innovator. Helping put Canada on the world map in leading the charge to a zero-plastic waste future.

Show Links:

• Styro Ventures

Show Quotes:

"We finally found the on ramp to the motorway and we're picking up speed... here we are at the end of 2025 and we've gone national coast to coast and, soon down into the US." "It is a fantastic raw material that we're just discarding... We can make the plastics industry in Alberta a completely closed loop... There's no reason why we need to take virgin resin and make garbage bags and then put it in the ground." "We call it Styro Track... we wanted to be able to give people an Iron Clad assurance as to where the material is when we pick it up, and then what happens to it to be able to show completely where it goes and what happens to it and how it gets recycled."

Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan