The InNOLEvation® Mindset Host Mark McNees interviews Trane Technologies circularity and sustainability leader Jenelle Shapiro, joined by former Danfoss Turbocor CEO Ricardo Schneider and circularity instructor at Florida State University’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. Shapiro shares her career path from architecture to sustainability consulting, construction, Meta data centers, and leading circularity at Trane Technologies. She explains circularity as extending product life through reuse, repair, and remanufacturing, and outlines Trane’s global business segments (commercial, residential, and Thermo King transport refrigeration). The conversation covers why circularity matters, Trane’s 2030 goals to double circular materials (vs. 2019) and generate 10% revenue from circular products/services, service programs that extend chiller life, refrigerant recovery and reclaimed refrigerant use, rental fleet refurbishment, and the importance of partner collaboration and verifiable scope 3 data. They discuss challenges in recycling infrastructure and material selection, excitement about compressor remanufacturing, designing for remanufacturing via tools and scoring, incentives tied to sustainability KPIs, optimism amid industry headwinds, EPR trends, entrepreneurial opportunities in disassembly and material marketplaces, and skills students need—data literacy and communication.
00:00 Podcast Welcome
00:29 Jenelle Career Journey
03:02 What Circularity Means
04:31 Trane Technologies Overview
06:06 Why Sustainability Matters
08:03 2030 Circularity KPIs
10:46 Service and Rentals Model
13:57 Collaboration and Partners
15:58 Supplier Data and Emissions
19:16 Science Targets and Gigaton
22:30 Hardest Circularity Challenges
25:00 Remanufacturing Explained
27:00 Scaling Reman Programs
27:48 Design for Remanufacturing
29:47 DFSC Circular Design Tool
31:53 Cost Myth and Value
33:33 Next Gen Sustainability Shift
36:36 Data and Carbon Literacy
39:23 Incentives and KPIs
43:15 Business Outlook and Momentum
44:42 Startup Opportunities Ahead
46:54 EPR and End of Life
48:49 Advice for Students
50:01 Career Lessons and Wrap
