Can we actually annihilate the toxic "forever chemicals" polluting our water and soil? The debut episode of Positive Charge dives into the Herculean challenge of destroying PFAS — long-lived contaminants linked to serious health effects like cancer and immune suppression. Even the most rugged, pristine corners of Alaska are facing high levels of PFAS groundwater contamination.

Fortunately, a wave of intrepid entrepreneurs are building breakthrough technologies to prove these chemicals aren't as immortal as their name suggests. The episode goes inside two innovative companies tackling the crisis from completely different angles. First, we explore a system that deploys highly portable, shipping-container-sized units to superheat and destroy highly concentrated PFAS stockpiles directly on-site.

Then, the focus shifts to a technology that spun out of a sanitation project funded by Bill Gates. This system utilizes intense thermal "poop briquette" boilers to incinerate diluted PFAS from municipal wastewater while generating clean electricity. Tune in to find out how these real-world solutions might just close a massive global infrastructure gap and protect our environment.

Sources and references

Interviews:
Brian Pinkard, Aquagga, co-founder and chief technology officer
Heather Koponen, Fairbanks, Alaska, resident impacted by PFAS
Stephanie Dotterer, Sedron Technologies, director of strategy
Meghan Carlo, Sedron Technologies, senior permit manager 

Additional sources:
Bill Gates drinking water from sewage waste (Gates Notes)
‘Forever chemicals’ are eternal no more thanks to a pollution destroying device from Tacoma startup (GeekWire)
Flush with cash: Washington startup lands up to $500M to deploy facilities treating sewage, dairy waste (GeekWire)
Alaska Community Action on Toxics
Toxic-Free Future

This episode was hosted by Lisa Stiffler and Laura Scott, and edited and produced by Laura Scott, with editorial assistance from Todd Bishop. Sponsored by Amazon Sustainability. 

Can we actually annihilate the toxic "forever chemicals" polluting our water and soil? The debut episode of Positive Charge dives into the Herculean challenge of destroying PFAS &mdash; long-lived contaminants linked to serious health effects like cancer and immune suppression. Even the most rugged, pristine corners of Alaska are facing high levels of PFAS groundwater contamination.
Fortunately, a wave of intrepid entrepreneurs are building breakthrough technologies to prove these chemicals aren't as immortal as their name suggests. The episode goes inside two innovative companies tackling the crisis from completely different angles. First, we explore a system that deploys highly portable, shipping-container-sized units to superheat and destroy highly concentrated PFAS stockpiles directly on-site.
Then, the focus shifts to a technology that spun out of a sanitation project funded by Bill Gates. This system utilizes intense thermal "poop briquette" boilers to incinerate diluted PFAS from municipal wastewater while generating clean electricity. Tune in to find out how these real-world solutions might just close a massive global infrastructure gap and protect our environment.
Sources and references
Interviews:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-pinkard/">Brian Pinkard</a>, Aquagga, co-founder and chief technology officer</li>
<li aria-level="1">Heather Koponen, Fairbanks, Alaska, resident impacted by PFAS</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dotterer/">Stephanie Dotterer</a>, Sedron Technologies, director of strategy</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-carlo-5ab91235/">Meghan Carlo</a>, Sedron Technologies, senior permit manager&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Additional sources:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.gatesnotes.com/Omniprocessor-From-Poop-to-Potable">Bill Gates drinking water from sewage waste</a> (Gates Notes)</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2023/this-startup-has-a-weapon-of-pfas-destruction-that-fits-inside-a-10-foot-shipping-container/">&lsquo;Forever chemicals&rsquo; are eternal no more thanks to a pollution destroying device from Tacoma startup</a> (GeekWire)</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/flush-with-cash-washington-startup-lands-up-500m-to-deploy-facilities-treating-sewage-dairy-waste/">Flush with cash: Washington startup lands up to $500M to deploy facilities treating sewage, dairy waste</a> (GeekWire)</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.akaction.org/">Alaska Community Action on Toxics</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://toxicfreefuture.org/mission/">Toxic-Free Future</a></li>
</ul>
This episode was hosted by Lisa Stiffler and Laura Scott, and edited and produced by Laura Scott, with editorial assistance from Todd Bishop. Sponsored by Amazon Sustainability.&nbsp;

Positive Charge by GeekWire explores the technology breakthroughs working to solve the planet's biggest environmental and sustainability challenges. Hosted by GeekWire's Lisa Stiffler and audio producer Laura Scott, each episode goes inside the labs, companies, and wild places of the Pacific Northwest — and beyond — to meet the creators, champions, and consumers bringing bold climate innovations to life.

This is a podcast about hope. The planet faces real challenges, but there are smart, passionate people working hard to address them — whether they're chasing clean energy, treating persistent "forever chemicals," or rethinking sustainability from the ground up. We profile those people and the breakthroughs giving us reason for optimism.

Brought to you by Amazon Sustainability.

Positive Charge by GeekWire explores the technology breakthroughs working to solve the planet's biggest environmental and sustainability challenges. Hosted by GeekWire's Lisa Stiffler and audio producer Laura Scott, each episode goes inside the labs, companies, and wild places of the Pacific Northwest &mdash; and beyond &mdash; to meet the creators, champions, and consumers bringing bold climate innovations to life.
This is a podcast about hope. The planet faces real challenges, but there are smart, passionate people working hard to address them &mdash; whether they're chasing clean energy, treating persistent "forever chemicals," or rethinking sustainability from the ground up. We profile those people and the breakthroughs giving us reason for optimism.
Brought to you by Amazon Sustainability.

Positive Charge by GeekWire

Positive Charge by GeekWire explores the technology breakthroughs working to solve the planet's biggest environmental and sustainability challenges. Hosted by GeekWire's Lisa Stiffler and journalist/producer Laura Scott, each episode goes inside the labs, companies, and wild places of the Pacific Northwest and beyond to meet the creators, champions, and consumers bringing bold climate innovations to life.

This is a podcast about hope. The planet faces real challenges, but there are smart, passionate people working hard to address them — whether they're chasing clean energy, treating persistent "forever chemicals," or rethinking sustainability from the ground up. We profile those people and the breakthroughs giving us reason for optimism.

Brought to you by Amazon Sustainability.

Positive Charge by GeekWire explores the technology breakthroughs working to solve the planet's biggest environmental and sustainability challenges. Hosted by GeekWire's Lisa Stiffler and journalist/producer Laura Scott, each episode goes inside the labs, companies, and wild places of the Pacific Northwest and beyond to meet the creators, champions, and consumers bringing bold climate innovations to life.
This is a podcast about hope. The planet faces real challenges, but there are smart, passionate people working hard to address them &mdash; whether they're chasing clean energy, treating persistent "forever chemicals," or rethinking sustainability from the ground up. We profile those people and the breakthroughs giving us reason for optimism.
Brought to you by Amazon Sustainability.