Business leaders throw around terms like sustainability, net zero, and the circular economy without always providing enough context. This talk will clarify definitions, clear up common misconceptions, and encourage participants to think differently about how companies communicate about sustainability. It will reframe the traditional mantra of reduce/reuse/recycle and share examples of how companies can incorporate an expanded hierarchy of “Re’s.”

 

Julia L Freer is business owner and the award-winning author of Material Value (2019), Rethink the Bins (2020), Beyond the Green Team (2022), and Materials and Sustainability (2024), plus a chapter in Empowering Women in STEM (2025). 

Julia’s company, Material Value Consulting, helps businesses that are committed to excellence in manufacturing while prioritizing environmental responsibility communicate their value without greenwashing. 

Julia holds a PhD in materials science from UC Berkeley, an MS in materials science from Stanford University, and a BS in engineering from Harvey Mudd College.