The Power of Neutral Convening With Dave Ford

In this episode, Cory Connors welcomes Dave Ford, founder and partner of Circle by OPLN, to discuss how neutral convening is transforming collaboration around the plastic crisis. Dave shares the origin of the Circle Program, the launch of the Legislator Guide for Circular Policy, and how bringing policymakers, industry, and NGOs together has shaped national conversations on EPR, DRS, and circularity. He reflects on the early days of OPLN, the pivotal expeditions that exposed leaders firsthand to plastic pollution, and how these experiences built a foundation for trust, shared understanding, and meaningful systems‑level change.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Launch of the Legislator Guide for Circular Policy and how it simplifies complex EPR/DRS concepts for elected officials.
• Circle Program origins: taking legislators and cross‑value‑chain stakeholders to locations with implemented EPR and deposit‑return systems worldwide.
• See Change Sessions outcomes, including cross‑sector collaboration and the decision to build the guide as a living digital resource.
• The importance of neutral convening—bringing petrochemical leaders, NGOs, policymakers, and brands together without an advocacy agenda.
• OPLN’s origin story, including expeditions to the Atlantic Garbage Patch that united 165 participants across the plastics ecosystem.
• The increasing need for education, readiness, and implementation support for companies navigating new EPR laws.
• How messaging around circularity shifts between regions, including emerging momentum for circular policy in Southern states.

Resources Mentioned:

• Circle by OPLN – circlenetwork.co
• Legislator Guide for Circular Policy
• The Recycling Partnership
• Ocean Conservancy
• Atlantic Packaging & A New Earth Project

Contact:
Dave Ford on LinkedIn
OPLN on LinkedIn: OPLN

Closing Thoughts:
Cory and Dave emphasize the transformative power of bringing all stakeholders—industry, government, and NGOs—into one room, with neutrality, transparency, and shared learning as the foundation. They highlight the importance of experiential education, cross‑sector collaboration, and the continued evolution of circular policy work as states and companies prepare for the future of EPR.

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