A national spotlight landed in Columbus, and we were ready for it. Hosting a major recycling and waste management conference downtown gave us the perfect backdrop to show how practical changes—like weekly curbside recycling, free convenience centers, and expanded food scrap drop-offs—are helping residents waste less while strengthening our local economy. Hanna and Joe sit down with Mayor Andrew Ginther to dig into the city’s climate action targets, the momentum behind youth education, and why most recyclables collected here stay in Ohio.

We talk through the results of moving to weekly recycling, including a double-digit participation boost, more than 34,000 tons collected, and a reduction in trash headed to the landfill. From there, we tackle food waste. Central Ohio discards over a million pounds of food scraps each day, so the city’s drop-off sites and event rescues at festivals like Jazz and Rib Fest are turning surplus into meals and scraps into compost. That cuts methane and supports our neighbors. You’ll also hear how convenience centers accept styrofoam, furniture, clothing, and electronics at no cost, thanks to partnerships with us at SWACO, Goodwill, the Furniture Bank, and local refurbishers that keep materials moving in a circular loop.

Myth busting gets its due too in this episde. Yes, empty pizza boxes with a little grease are recyclable. We connect the dots between accessible services, clear education, and a thriving circular economy that creates thousands of jobs while protecting limited landfill space. If you care about real results, local impact, and practical steps you can use during the holidays and beyond, this conversation will give you the playbook.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s skeptical about recycling, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find WastED!

What if a city made recycling the easiest option everywhere you go—at school, at the park, at festivals, and even at your desk? We sat down with Reynoldsburg Mayor Joe Begeny to trace a practical roadmap to less waste and more reuse, powered by clear rules, smart SWACO grants, and community pride. The story begins in classrooms, where the Slate Ridge Elementary green team turned sorting into second nature. It continues at public events, where portable recycling stations draw crowds who want the right bin within reach.

We dig into how 30 park containers cut litter and protected waterways, and how City Hall flipped behavior by pairing big blue recycling bins with tiny waste baskets. Six years after rolling out 65‑gallon curbside recycling carts, many homes now set out fuller recycling bins than trash bins —proof that simple, consistent guidance works.

Beyond the basics, Reynoldsburg keeps adding convenient ways to divert materials. Year‑round e‑waste collection takes the guesswork out of disposing of TVs, computers, and phones. A standout program transforms single‑use plastic film—grocery bags and shrink wrap—into sturdy park benches!

Seasonal efforts include leaf pickup which begins in October, a pumpkin drop after Halloween, a creative costume swap, and holiday string lights recycling to handle those strands that never seem to survive another season.

Public safety and stewardship meet at the prescription drug take‑back, coordinated with the Reynoldsburg Police Department near Earth Day, alongside paper shredding, bike donations, and respectful flag retirement. We wrap it all up with the mayor’s historian lens (he's a former teacher) on World War II and the sweeping changes of the 1960s, reminding us that culture shifts fast when people pull in the same direction.

If you care about building a cleaner, smarter city with tools that actually get used, this conversation is your playbook. Subscribe, share with a neighbor, and leave a review with the one idea you want your city or town to try next.

What happens when a rapidly growing region adds 700,000 new residents in just 25 years? That's the question at the heart of this fascinating conversation with the leadership of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), the organization helping Central Ohio prepare for this growth through 2050. Here at SWACO, we're planning for it too!

Executive Director William Murdock shares MORPC's guiding philosophy that Central Ohio must "grow better as it grows bigger," explaining how strategic investments in sustainability, transportation, and conservation are essential to maintaining quality of life. Director of Sustainability Brandi Whetstone reveals how MORPC's innovative programs—from neighborhood-level air quality sensors to regional water planning—are creating a roadmap for sustainable growth.

The discussion delves into how MORPC has successfully engaged 39 communities in a friendly competition to achieve higher sustainability ratings, driving real progress through collaboration rather than mandate. You'll learn about cutting-edge initiatives addressing looming energy challenges and water resource management. Plus, William and Brandi talk about another topic that we at SWACO absolutely love to promote and discuss — the principles of the circular economy.

Perhaps most compelling is the practical advice both leaders offer: start with one attainable sustainability goal. As Brandi notes, "The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it."

Curious about how Central Ohio is preparing for the future? Don't miss this insightful conversation about the collaborative approach making the region a model for sustainable growth. Visit MORPC's website or attend their upcoming Summit on Sustainability on September 30th to learn more and get involved in shaping Central Ohio's future.

Sustainability in the classroom isn't just about recycling bins—it's about shaping the environmental leaders of tomorrow. As students and educators head back to school this August, we're diving into powerful ways schools can reduce waste while teaching lifelong environmental stewardship.

Our special guest Danna Lotz, SWACO's School Programs Administrator and former classroom teacher of nearly 20 years, shares with Hanna and Joe her passion and expertise for making sustainability accessible in educational settings. From practical tips for teachers (repurpose those half-used notebooks instead of sending them home!) to school-wide initiatives like food waste composting and e-waste recycling, Danna reveals how environmental responsibility can be woven into school culture.

Discover SWACO's impressive array of free resources for Franklin County schools: landfill tours with bus reimbursement, classroom recycling containers through the School Recycling Champions Program, curriculum-aligned lesson plans, and technical support for more complex waste diversion projects. The newly launched SWACO Schools Green Team creates a collaborative network where educators can exchange ideas and find moral support for their sustainability efforts.

Parents and caregivers aren't left out either! Learn practical strategies for greener lunches, supply shopping, and clothing choices that reduce waste while teaching children valuable lessons about resource conservation. As Danna reminds us, when we instill these habits early, young people don't just recycle because they're told to—they understand why it matters. Visit SWACO.org to explore our school programs and start your sustainability journey today!

Meet Joseph Klatt, the innovative founder of Marble Plastics who's turning trash into treasure right here in Central Ohio. As we mark Plastic Free July, this eye-opening conversation reveals how discarded plastics can be transformed into stunning countertops, furniture, and building materials that rival traditional options like Corian or natural marble.

What sets Marble Plastics apart is their commitment to showcasing recycling's potential through products that are both beautiful and educational. Unlike typical solid surface materials that hide their composition, Klatt's creations proudly display colorful flecks from various plastic waste streams – from electronic waste providing the black base colors to bread tags creating distinctive specks. These visual elements serve as conversation starters about recycling's true impact, helping consumers understand that their recycling efforts genuinely matter.

The sourcing stories behind each component are fascinating: refrigerator parts become the white base material, while bread tags collected by an Indianapolis nonprofit (which uses proceeds to fund wheelchairs for those in need) create colorful accents. Klatt's vision extends to "decentralized manufacturing" – creating regional hubs where communities can see their waste transformed into valuable products locally, similar to how the organic farm movement reconnected people with their food.

Joseph brings rich experience to this mission, having worked with Ohio EPA before joining a firm in the Netherlands, where he designed recycling machines for communities worldwide. His goal now? Making recycled plastic building materials commonplace in the architectural and design industry within five years, while changing perceptions about plastic waste. As he pointedly reminds listeners: your recycled plastics really do get transformed into useful, beautiful products.

Ready to reduce plastic waste? Start by swapping disposable items for reusables and remember that in Central Ohio, plastic bottles, tubs, jugs and cups can all be recycled curbside. Follow Marble Plastics on Instagram or visit marbleplastics.com to learn more about this recycling revolution.

Stepping behind the scenes at the world-famous Columbus Zoo and Aquarium reveals an extraordinary commitment to sustainability that extends far beyond animal care. In this enlightening conversation with Tom Schmid, President and CEO, and Kristeena Blaser, Director of Sustainability, we discover how this beloved institution manages its massive ecological footprint while working to save wildlife across the globe.

The scale of operations at the Columbus Zoo is staggering - processing 1.6 million pounds of animal food annually while maintaining an impressive 80% waste diversion rate. From transforming animal waste into coveted "Zoo Brew" fertilizer to recycling everything from electronics to Halloween candy wrappers, the zoo demonstrates that conservation begins with daily choices. Their innovative partnerships with local organizations like Price Farms Organics and SWACO showcase how collaborative efforts amplify environmental impact.

We explore the zoo's ambitious sustainability targets, including their goal to achieve zero waste certification by 2040, and learn about their newly rebranded WILD Zero Waste Challenge launching July 1st. This mobile app-based initiative has already engaged 48,000 participants, preventing 1.6 million single-use plastic items from reaching landfills.

The conversation expands to showcase recent developments across their five entities - including the $35 million North America Trek featuring enhanced habitats for bears, river otters, and Mexican wolves and groundbreaking global conservation initiatives.

Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast, sustainability advocate, or simply curious about how all the animals are taken care of, this episode offers fascinating insights into how one of the world's premier zoos is creating a model for conservation. Discover how you can participate through visiting, volunteering, or joining to make your own environmental impact measurable and meaningful.

A million pounds of food waste enters Central Ohio's landfill every single day. Let that sink in. Beyond the environmental impact, this waste represents a staggering economic drain - the average family of four tosses away $2,000 worth of uneaten food annually.

When Joe and Hanna sat down with Sara Gallaugher, SWACO's Food Waste Program Administrator, we knew we needed to address the hidden crisis of wasted food but what you'll find in this conversation is a remarkable opportunity, too. Local restaurants like Bud Dairy Food Hall, Kittie's Cakes, and Joya's have joined our Food Waste Champion program with stunning results - diverting 20,000 pounds of food waste from landfills in just six months through simple but effective composting practices.

The beauty of this initiative lies in its accessibility. SWACO provides comprehensive support including free containers, signage, education, and covers six months of hauling costs for businesses ready to take the leap. Sara emphasizes that solutions aren't one-size-fits-all - whether it's a food hall managing ten chef partners or a neighborhood bakery - successful food waste diversion can be customized to fit any operation.

This episode doesn't stop at restaurants though. We explore practical strategies for homes (shop your fridge first!), schools (set up smart cafeteria systems), and businesses (host zero-waste events). The goal isn't perfection, as progress can start small: with simple changes like properly dating leftovers and freezing foods before they spoil. Ready to join the movement? Visit SaveMoreThanFood.org for resources and connect with SWACO to learn how you can turn your food waste into opportunity.

Sustainability isn't just good for the planet—it's good for our economy too. Step into the world of Central Ohio's circular economy champions who prove that small changes create meaningful impact for both our environment and community.

Meet Sam White, founder of Rewash Refillery, whose pandemic pivot transformed an LA-inspired mobile refill concept into a thriving brick-and-mortar business in Clintonville. Sam shares how customers bring their own containers to refill with concentrates like shampoo, conditioner, and cleaning products—dramatically reducing single-use plastic while supporting local sustainable brands. Her arts and crafts swap event exemplifies the joy of reuse, where treasure-hunters excitedly found the perfect blue buttons or yarn they needed without buying new.

Then discover Goodwill Columbus beyond the thrift store with Marketing Director Simone Attles. This 85-year community institution employs 1,200 people across thrift operations, business services, and programs supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Follow the fascinating journey of donated items—from color-coded tagging through five weeks on the sales floor to their Second Chance Outlet where artists and designers buy by the pound.

The economic impact of sustainability is staggering: Central Ohio's recycling and reuse industries employ thousands across nearly 400 businesses, generating a billion dollars in regional revenue. SWACO's new 'Choose to Reuse' initiative highlights this powerful connection between environmental and economic sustainability.

Hanna, Joe and both of our guests emphasize starting small with sustainability efforts. As Sam notes, "One change is one change and that's tangible." Use what you have, make gradual shifts, and remember sustainability isn't about perfection—it's about progress. Visit SWACO.org to learn more about Choose to Reuse and connect with us on social media to suggest future podcast topics.