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.

Tackling that overflowing garage or cluttered attic this season? Before you start filling trash bags, SWACO's latest podcast episode delivers an eye-opening guide to spring cleaning the right way. Executive Director Joe Lombardi and Communications Director Hanna Greer-Brown welcome Education Specialist Kim Chapman and Outreach Administrator Amy Densborn to share lesser-known disposal options that keep valuable materials out of our landfill.

What's truly astonishing? Our research reveals that 76% of materials arriving at the landfill could have been recycled, reused, or composted. This podcast dives deep into solutions that make proper disposal convenient while supporting environmental sustainability. Learn about SWACO's two specialized facilities: the Household Hazardous Waste site near the fairgrounds and the newer Recycling Convenience Center that accepts hard-to-recycle items like electronics, appliances, and even food waste.

The conversation covers practical advice on safely disposing of batteries, motor oil, and grass clippings, along with creative disposal solutions you might never have considered. Did you know your donated latex paint helps rebuild communities after natural disasters? Or that shredded paper makes excellent compost material? From separating lithium-ion batteries to finding new homes for gently used textiles, these small actions make an enormous impact.

Beyond disposal tips, discover SWACO's educational opportunities including public landfill tours (next one May 31st) and upcoming community events throughout spring. Our experts emphasize looking beyond kitchen recycling to capture items from every room in your home. Ready to transform your spring cleaning from wasteful to wonderful? Visit RecycleRight.org for location-specific guidance on where to take those tricky materials, or attend one of SWACO's many spring events to learn more in person.

Many firsts are credited to White Castle: the first fast food hamburger chain in the world (1921), the first to introduce carry-out (1920's) and the first to advertise in the newspaper offering coupons for $.10 sliders back in the 1930's. Along the way, White Castle has been part of momentous mentions in music by bands like the Beastie Boys and found even more dedicated fans from the cult classic, Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle. The company is still family owned, which is a feat in and of itself in this day and time, so Hanna and Joe are honored to welcome fourth generation family executive, Shannon Tolliver, to this episode. She's their Social Responsibility and Environmental Sustainable Manager. Shannon actually provided a first for us at SWACO too. This is the first time we've taken WastEd on the road as we set up our mobile podcast studio at White Castle headquarters in downtown Columbus. Shannon told us all about sustainability efforts that went into their gorgeous building plus daily efforts made at every restaurant to reduce food waste and send less and less to area landfills. Also, stick around for Joe's personal story about the cool White Castle hat he rocked during the recording. (Hint: it nearly got him in trouble at home!)

Fashion designers and textile manufacturers are choosing Columbus and central Ohio as home. In fact, more designers live in Columbus than virtually any other city in the U.S. Only New York and L.A. have more! Brands like IKEA rely on central Ohioans at Fluvitex to make every synthetic fiber pillow and comforter sold in every store in America! It’s common for production processes to generate some waste and in particular textile waste is an emerging waste stream. In episode 5, SWACO welcomes the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and Fluvitex to discuss the synergies between big brands, product manufacturers and the public sector agencies behind the Ohio Materials Marketplace. The Ohio Materials Marketplace (OMM) is a free online platform that allows Ohio businesses, manufacturers, non-profits, and other organizations to find reuse and recycling solutions for decommissioned, waste, byproduct, and surplus materials. (Check out more on the Ohio Materials Marketplace on Ohio EPA's website and stay up to date by following @OhioEPA for #MarketplaceMonday weekly features.)

So for manufacturers like Fluvitex, the Markeplace allows them to sell unused inventory or other products, that could otherwise head to the landfill, be re-purposed into useful products! This reduces textile waste, saves precious resources and creates new revenue streams for businesses too. Plus, Fluvitex has built relationships with local non-profits so mis-marked or irregular pillows and comforters that can't go to IKEA can go to places like the Ronald McDonald House and YMCA locations. As you're about to hear, they're looking for more non-profit partners too!

‘Tis the season to be merry and green! During our episode 4 conversation, an expert from the Toy Association shares how nearly half of parents shopping for gifts this holiday season are interested in purchasing more sustainable toys and SWACO explores the lengths toy manufacturers like Mattel, Lego and Fisher-Price are going to – even trying out cocoa beans -- to create the products consumers want. And it turns out, the Toy Association's Charlotte Hickcox is an Ohio Wesleyan graduate and used to work at the Ohio EPA with our other guest, Andrew Booker, SWACO's Programs Manager. So, we love this career reunion of sorts as Charlotte and Andrew bring a wealth of knowledge to the changing landscape of all things recyclable and reusable from toy manufacturing to Amazon packaging. Plus, Hanna and Joe also talk about the basics like what can and can't go in your trash and recycle bins given a lot of kids are getting battery powered toys this Christmas. So, from all of us at SWACO, have a healthy and safe holiday season and enjoy our last episode of 2024. But don't worry, we're already planning more great episodes for 2025!

It's a term you'll hear more about especially from those of us in recycle and reuse communities -- the circular economy. Love that crisp refreshing Coca-Cola or Diet Coke but still wonder where that recycled plastic bottle or aluminum can ends up? To put it simply, it ends up back on your store shelf and in some cases, in just a matter of weeks. November is National Recycling Month and recycling is growing in Central Ohio thanks to recent announcements by SWACO and Rumpke Waste & Recycling making it possible for residents to recycle even more plastic material. When families and residents choose to recycle plastics from their homes, they contribute to a cleaner, greener community and help to support businesses that rely on those recyclables to manufacture their goods and products. Joining Hanna and Joe for this month's episode are Amanda Pratt from RUMPKE and Todd Marty from Coca-Cola Consolidated. Both are leading the way and pushing Ohio to the forefront of the circular economy and at the same time, saving precious natural resources, diverting materials from landfills and creating jobs!