Did you know that plastics are as different from each other as paper is from metal? Joseph Klatt, founder of Marble Plastics, dives into the complex world of polymer types and how they impact our efforts to recycle plastic waste.

Joseph’s passion for sustainability was sparked by an unlikely source - a college job collecting recycling by bicycle. This hands-on experience ignited his fascination with waste management, leading him to pursue environmental studies. Joseph's career took him from the Ohio EPA, where he developed an innovative business-to-business recycling platform, to the Netherlands, where he joined the open-source Precious Plastic community. There, he gained invaluable insights into small-scale plastic recycling and fostering a grassroots movement. His journey continued in Portugal, training communities worldwide to implement Precious Plastics' recycling technology. Driven by a desire to tackle the plastic crisis head-on, Joseph founded Marble Plastics, creating beautiful, durable goods from 100% recycled plastic sheets. Discover how this green champion transformed his passion into a mission to revolutionize plastic recycling.

Episode in a glance

- The plastic waste issue and its impact on the environment
- Joseph's journey into plastics
- Connecting businesses for waste recycling and reuse
- The path to developing community at Precious Plastic
- How different polymers and their impact on recycling
- Marble Plastics and their sustainability work

About Joseph Klatt

Joseph Klatt is the founder of Marble Plastics, a company pioneering the creation of beautiful, durable products from 100% recycled plastic sheets. His passion for sustainability was ignited by a college job collecting recycling by bicycle, which led him to study environmental management. After developing a business-to-business recycling platform at the Ohio EPA, Joseph joined the open-source Precious Plastics community in the Netherlands, where he gained expertise in small-scale plastic recycling and fostering mission-driven movements. He then transitioned to Portugal, training communities worldwide to implement Precious Plastics' recycling technology. Driven by a desire to revolutionize plastic recycling and promote circularity, Joseph founded Marble Plastics to transform plastic waste into stunning furniture, countertops, and wall coverings, diverting materials from landfills while creating beautiful, eco-friendly products.

Connect with Joseph Klatt, Precious Plastic, and Marble Plastics

Precious Plastic → https://www.preciousplastic.com/

Marble Plastics → https://marbleplastics.com/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/marbleplastics/

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Did you know that Columbus, Ohio generates a staggering one million pounds of food waste per day?

But the city taking concrete steps towards sustainability, and Aryeh Alex, its Sustainability Manager, is leading the charge. The city's ambitious Climate Action Plan has already seen success with its weekly recycling program. The new food scrap drop-off program, specifically targeting underserved communities, has collected an astounding 30,000 pounds of food scraps in just six months. Alex discussed the recently launched waste and reuse convenience centers, offering residents a free way to recycle and reuse items like electronics, clothing, and furniture. But perhaps most inspiring is Alex's vision for a circular economy in Columbus, a system that could create a thousand new jobs by transforming discarded materials, such as red solo cups, into valuable resources like marble tiles. The city's dedication to sustainability is not only reducing its environmental footprint but also empowering its residents and fostering a greener future.

Episode in a glance

- The Columbus's Climate Action Plan
- Waste reduction and the concept of a circular economy
- The potential for Food Rescue
- The success of Food Rescue Columbus
- Waste diversion successes in Columbus
- The Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers
- Aryeh's vision for a thousand circular economy jobs

About Aryeh Alex

Aryeh Alex is the Executive Director of Keep Columbus Beautiful and the Sustainability Manager for the City of Columbus, Ohio. In these roles, he leads the city's residential recycling, organic waste, waste reduction, community education, and volunteer litter programs. Aryeh also serves as the Sustainability Coordinator for the Division of Refuse Collection and is a Commissioner of the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks.

Connect with Aryeh Alex & Keep Columbus Beautiful

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/keepcolumbusbeautifuloh/

Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@keepcbusbeautiful

X/Twitter → https://x.com/kcbcolumbus

LinkedIN → https://www.linkedin.com/company/keep-columbus-beautiful

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Can a childhood of playing video games lead to a passion for protecting the planet?

Aryeh Alex, the Executive Director of Keep Columbus Beautiful and Sustainability Manager for the city of Columbus, shares his unlikely path from an indoorsy kid who dreaded nature camps to a passionate environmental advocate. Aryeh's transformative experience at Yosemite National Park ignited a newfound appreciation for the great outdoors, ultimately leading him to volunteer at the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks. Through his volunteer work, Aryeh not only gained invaluable knowledge but also discovered his gift for connecting with people and empowering them to make a difference. Learn how Aryeh's unique perspective and passion for creating welcoming spaces for all can inspire you to make a positive impact on your community and the planet.

Episode in a glance

- Aryeh's first eye-opening outdoor experience at Yosemite National Park
- Discovering the hidden gems of the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks
- Aryeh's career path before finding his passion
- Translating complex sustainability solutions into actionable steps
- Litter as an environmental justice issue
- Environmental injustice and the impact on Appalachian communities
- The importance of listening to community voices in sustainability efforts
- The experience of volunteering in local parks
- Introducing people to local nature
- Recognizing and harnessing personal superpowers for positive change
- How to connect with Aryeh and Keep Columbus Beautiful's initiatives

About Aryeh Alex

Aryeh Alex is the Executive Director of Keep Columbus Beautiful and the Sustainability Manager for the City of Columbus, Ohio. In these roles, he leads the city's residential recycling, organic waste, waste reduction, community education, and volunteer litter programs. Aryeh also serves as the Sustainability Coordinator for the Division of Refuse Collection and is a Commissioner of the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks.

Connect with Aryeh Alex & Keep Columbus Beautiful

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/keepcolumbusbeautifuloh/

Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@keepcbusbeautiful

X/Twitter → https://x.com/kcbcolumbus

LinkedIN → https://www.linkedin.com/company/keep-columbus-beautiful

Send us a message!