Our Story
Video courtesy of Carroll University: 2023 Distinguished Alumni Awards
It all started on Wall Street.
Years ago, a young investment banker named Michael Martin was working on Wall Street when the Exxon Valdez oil disaster occurred. He saw the devastating effects that unchecked capitalism could have on the planet—but he also knew it could be a powerful tool for solving sustainability problems.
So he set out to use the power of capitalism to create positive change in the world, helping everyone from rock stars to Fortune 500 corporations to global leaders address the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
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Michael Martin (on the right) has worked closely with artists like Paul McCartney, shown here with his wife Linda, to help achieve measurable impacts on critical sustainability issues across the globe. Tom Sellars, r.World’s board chair is on the left.
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Michael is a sought-after speaker and global expert on sustainability, consulting for brands like Apple, Toyota, P&G, and Target. He’s also worked with The White House on sustainability initiatives for multiple administrations.
Leading the way to save the planet.
Since 1990, Michael Martin has been a pioneering impact entrepreneur, introducing and leading sustainability efforts in the music industry, with Billboard magazine naming him the “Guru of Live Event Greening”.
Starting In 1990, he became the Executive Producer of the nationally broadcast Earth Day stadium concerts that helped to relaunch Earth Day, which is now the world’s largest secular event.
Later he launched the EnviroRider™ and EnviroTour™ to bring environmental initiatives like recycling, composting, eco-villages, green tour managers, venue greening advancing, carpool promotions, and tour offsets to the music industry.
He’s been the sustainability advisor to dozens of artists, including U2, Dave Matthews Band, and Jack Johnson, as well as music industry leaders like Live Nation and AEG.
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Michael Martin was the Executive Producer of the 500,000-person 1995 Earth Day rally held in Washington D.C. He’s shown here (on the right) with Tom Sellars, his longtime business partner and friend, and r.World’s co-founder and board chair.
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Creating r.World: A solution that can actually scale.
In 2017, Michael brought together his decades of music industry experience to launch the reuse economy in the U.S. with U2’s Joshua Tree Tour, where r.Cups were introduced.
The reusable r.Cup and r.Ware system, which is now called r.World, is the nation’s #1 reuse platform. Our team is leading the reuse movement in North America with support from artists, venues, concessionaires, sports leagues, the White House, NGOs, industry giants AEG, ASM, NIVA, and, hopefully, you!
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All of us at r.World share the same vision—to build the national infrastructure, platform, and movement for the reuse economy, to end single-use addiction, and to create a more sustainable future.
We’re here to do the most good in every way. We hope you join us!
Our Team
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Michael Martin
CEO & Founder
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Craig Swanson
President
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Mark Trudeau
Vice President of Sales
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Angie Swatfager
Chief Financial Officer
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Tim Webert
Chief Operating Officer
Our Board
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Michael Martin
CEO & Founder
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Tom Sellars
Board Chair and Co-Founder
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Brian Yost
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Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas
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Allison Gage
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Daniel Yarano
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Mark Addicks