Is “good enough” the key to real sustainability?
In this episode, host Sven Steinert welcomes Sebastian Schwarz, Head of Sustainability at REMONDIS Group, who champions pragmatic idealism over perfectionism. Sebastian argues that the term “sustainability” is overused, and urges leaders to focus on what counts: reducing CO₂, saving energy, and achieving measurable results.
With REMONDIS’s eight decades in the recycling industry, Sebastian shares how a decentralised culture drives real buy-in and why collaboration with recyclers is essential for building a truly circular economy. He also explains how practical KPIs and a business-first mindset can transform sustainability from a reporting exercise into lasting resilience and innovation.
You'll learn:
1. Why “sustainability” needs to be made tangible and relevant for business
2. How REMONDIS defines and implements actionable KPIs
3. The critical role of recycling in circular economy
4. How culture, networks, and pragmatic leadership unlock buy-in
5. Why material qualities matter more than their origin
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Get in touch with Sebastian Schwarz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-schwarz-413a5a55/
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About the host Sven Steinert:
Sven Steinert is the CEO of SUSTAINX | The Sustainability Leaders Community, and Managing Partner at H&Z Management Consulting. To Sven, sustainability is not just a buzzword – it’s about making real changes for a sustainable future. His goal is to help companies reduce their environmental footprint and embrace circularity. Sven is passionate about ice hockey, and exploring new cultures to enrich his understanding of the world and diverse ways of life.
Get in touch with Sven Steinert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svensteinert/
Want to connect with like-minded sustainability professionals in a collaborative space? Join our online community at osapeers.org.
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The SUSTAINX: Leaders in Sustainability Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.