Investigative Journalistic Perspectives: Emerging Trends in the Circular Economy - Material Reuse Forum 14 (September 15, 2026)
As public interest in sustainability continues to evolve, journalists play a key role in shaping the stories that bring circular economy, including repair and reuse into the mainstream. In this Forum, investigative and environmental reporters shared their perspectives on today’s media landscape, how they identify emerging trends, what excites—and frustrates—them about covering sustainability topics, and how organizations and advocates can build trusted relationships and effectively communicate stories that resonate with audiences.
Meet our Speakers:
Paula Luu, Managing Director, BioCycle
Paula Luu is Managing Director of BioCycle, where she leads the organization’s media and advisory services focused on advancing organics recycling infrastructure and keeping valuable materials out of landfills. Previously, she led multi-year initiatives at impact investment firm Closed Loop Partners to advance organics recycling, plastics recycling, and other circular economy systems. Earlier in her career, she founded Coming Home Goods, a social enterprise that transformed textile waste into new products while creating employment opportunities for women returning home from incarceration. Across sectors, Paula’s work focuses on building the infrastructure, investment, partnerships, and market conditions needed to move circular economy solutions from ideas to implementation.
Joseph Winters, Contributing Writer, Grist
Joseph Winters is an award-winning journalist covering climate and the environment, with a particular focus on plastics. As a staff writer for Grist, he wrote about the human health and environmental impacts of plastics across their life cycle, as well as business and regulatory efforts to address plastic pollution. He now freelances for Grist and other publications on plastics, politics, and the oceans. He has an MPhil from the University of Cambridge and a BA from Harvard University.
Susanne Rust, Investigative Reporter, Los Angeles Times
Susanne Rust is an investigative reporter specializing in environmental issues. Before coming to the Los Angeles Times, she was the editor of Columbia University’s Energy & Environmental Reporting Project, where she oversaw several reporting projects, including a series that examined ExxonMobil’s understanding of climate science in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. Rust started her career in 2003 as a science reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She is the recipient of numerous journalism awards, including a George Polk and John S. Oakes award for environmental reporting. In 2009, she and her colleague, Meg Kissinger, were selected as Pulitzer finalists. Rust was a John S. Knight fellow at Stanford University in 2009, and environment reporter at the Center for Investigative Reporting between 2010 and 2014.
Angelina Ruiz, Publisher, Waste Advantage
Angelina Ruiz, Publisher of Waste Advantage, has been with the publication since its inception in 2010. She has spent many years at the forefront of the waste and recycling industry, shaping conversations and delivering timely, relevant content to professionals across the field. With deep industry knowledge and a strong editorial vision, Angelina oversees all aspects of content development for both print and digital platforms, working closely with authors, companies, and industry leaders to ensure high-quality, impactful coverage. A familiar presence at trade shows and conferences, Angelina actively builds connections and fosters collaboration throughout the industry. In addition to publishing responsibilities, she hosts the Webinar Safety Series, bringing critical safety topics and expert insights to a broad audience. She also serves as the current Editor-in-Chief of SWANA FL Talking Trash, further contributing to industry dialogue and advancement.
