16 - What Svanika Balasubramanian Saw in Landfills That Most Brands Ignore

Tackling Plastic With Purpose and Heart
Joanne welcomes Svanika Balasubramanian, co-founder and CEO of Repurpose Global, for a powerful and eye-opening conversation about plastic pollution, social justice, and what it really means to lead with intention. You’ll hear how a college thesis led Svanika to landfills across the globe and sparked a movement rooted in human dignity, environmental justice, and systemic change. From facing threats from organized crime to disrupting global waste systems, she shares the bold beginnings of her mission-driven work.

Radical Responsibility in Real Time
 This episode dives into what it means to build a business that doesn’t separate purpose from profit. Svanika explains why brands must go beyond performative pledges and instead integrate values into every layer of their operations—from employee equity to measurable environmental action. You’ll learn why radical responsibility is not just the right thing to do—it’s the smartest business decision a founder can make in today’s conscious economy.

Empowering Women and Building Global Community
 Through deeply personal stories, Svanika shares the transformative impact of Repurpose’s work, including how formalizing waste worker employment has helped women in India gain financial independence and build homes for their families. She reflects on the emotional weight of change-making, the grounding lessons from her activist grandparents, and how a global community of like-hearted brands—including Innersense™—fuels her forward. You’ll walk away reminded that every action counts, and that leadership, at its core, begins with empathy.

To Connect with Svanika Balasubramanian :

• https://linktr.ee/repurposeglobal
• https://www.instagram.com/repurpose_global
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/repurposeglobal/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/svanikab/

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Clean Beauty and Sustainability
07:37 The Journey of Repurpose Global
12:47 Redefining Responsibility in Business
18:13 The Human Aspect of Waste Management
25:45 Personal Practices for Grounding and Purpose
30:03 Overcoming Doubt and Finding Community

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