In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we connect with Wayne McIntyre, CEO of Relocalize, about how autonomous microfactories placed at distribution centers could revolutionize food production by eliminating transport emissions and reducing costs. They explore why packaged ice was the ideal starting point for helping this idea become reality, how robotics and AI streamline operations to make decentralized food production and distribution possible, and why reimagining the entire supply chain, not just improving individual links, is critical for building a more sustainable and resilient food system.

Key Points:

• Food Supply Chains Are a Major Climate Contributor: Nearly 18% of food-related greenhouse gas emissions come from packaging, transport, and processing — underscoring the need to rethink how food gets from farm to plate.
• Relocalize Pioneers Autonomous Microfactories: By installing small, fully automated factories at distribution centers, Relocalize eliminates most transportation and cold storage, reducing emissions and costs.
• Better Economics and Sustainability for Retailers: Retailers benefit from dedicated supply, lower shrink and waste, reduced emissions, and better product quality — all while improving their bottom line.

• Wayne McIntyre, CEO and co-founder of Relocalize, LinkedIn
• Luis de Leon, Senior Account Executive at Technica Communications, LinkedIn

🚀 Calling all Earthlings…

Visit our website for more episodes!

Sign up to our newsletter for the latest news on the most exciting technology and research shaping our futures!

We want to learn more about you! It’ll take just a few moments to complete our survey. Thank you for helping us make your listening experience the best it can be!

Are you new to Earthlings 2.0 and don’t know where to get started? Check out our Life at 3C episode on our website

Thanks for tuning in! If you like what we’re doing over at Earthlings 2.0, you can support us by heading over to our Patreon Page.

Let’s stay connected! Follow Earthlings 2.0 Socials for the latest updates and news:

• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on our Facebook Page
• Follow us on X

Thanks to Resource Labs for having us on the network!

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we chat with Joe Castagneri, Director of Software at AMP, about why so much recyclable material still ends up in landfills, and how the economics of waste sorting are at the heart of the problem. Joe explains why recycling in rural areas often doesn’t pencil out, how the legacy systems incentivize hauling and burying waste, and how AMP’s computer vision and robotics are helping build a new model for diversion facilities that could finally scale circularity. Joe shares insights into the history of recycling, the limitations of current systems, and why the future may look like integrated diversion facilities rather than separate recycling programs.

Key Points:

• Recycling Only Works Economically Where Density Justifies It: Castagneri explains that recycling programs depend on having enough people generating waste in a concentrated area to offset the costs of sorting and transporting material. In rural regions or freight-constrained areas, recycling simply doesn’t pencil out, and landfilling becomes the default option.
• AI and Robotics Are Unlocking a Cheaper, Scalable Model: AMP’s approach replaces expensive optical sensors and manual labor with neural networks and low-cost vision systems that can sort materials with high speed and precision. By building facilities that cost less to construct and operate, this technology makes it possible to recycle more materials in more places profitably.
• Diversion Facilities Can Redefine Waste Management: Rather than maintain separate recycling and trash systems, AMP envisions integrated diversion facilities that automatically extract recyclables and organics from all waste streams. This shift could fundamentally change how landfills are used, increasing circularity while reducing methane emissions and disposal costs.

• Joe Castagneri, Director of Software at AMP, LinkedIn

• Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of Technica Communications, and Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability, LinkedIn

🚀 Calling all Earthlings…

Visit our website for more episodes!

Sign up to our newsletter for the latest news on the most exciting technology and research shaping our futures!

We want to learn more about you! It’ll take just a few moments to complete our survey. Thank you for helping us make your listening experience the best it can be!

Are you new to Earthlings 2.0 and don’t know where to get started? Check out our Life at 3C episode on our website

Thanks for tuning in! If you like what we’re doing over at Earthlings 2.0, you can support us by heading over to our Patreon Page.

Let’s stay connected! Follow Earthlings 2.0 Socials for the latest updates and news:

• Follow us on

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we chat with Kieran Furlong, CEO and co-founder of Realta Fusion, about the promise and progress of nuclear fusion as a sustainable energy solution. The discussion touches on the mounting pressure of rising global energy demand and why nuclear, specifically fusion, could be a game-changing response. Kieran explains the fundamental differences between nuclear fission and fusion, the risks and legacy of fission reactors, and the promise of fusion technologies that don’t carry the same waste or meltdown threats. He also explains Realta’s modular, cylindrical “magnetic mirror” design that offers a simpler, more scalable path to fusion energy.

Key Points:

• Fusion Could Be the Energy Breakthrough the World Needs: With abundant hydrogen fuel, no long-term waste, and no risk of runaway reactions, fusion offers a clean, scalable solution to meet rising global energy demand.
• Realta Fusion Uses a Simpler, Cylindrical Magnetic Mirror Design: Unlike the complex donut-shaped tokamaks and stellarators, Realta’s straight-line magnetic mirror system is modular, easier to build, and designed for practical deployment.
• A Commercial Fusion Plant Is Targeted for the Mid-2030s: Realta aims to build its first commercial-scale system by the mid-2030s, with some other startups pushing for even earlier timelines.

• Kieran Furlong, CEO and co-founder of Realta Fusion
• Kieran’s LinkedIn
• Realta Fusion's LinkedIn
• Realta Fusion's Magnetic Mirror Technology

• Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of Technica Communications, and Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability, LinkedIn

• Previous episodes mentioned:
• #26: The Forever Fuel in Nuclear Fusion
• #6: To Nuclear or Not

🚀 Calling all Earthlings…

Visit our website for more episodes!

Sign up to our newsletter for the latest news on the most exciting technology and research shaping our futures!

We want to learn more about you! It’ll take just a few moments to complete our survey. Thank you for helping us make your listening experience the best it can be!

Are you new to Earthlings 2.0 and don’t know where to get started? Check out our