Jane Boehm is a passionate advocate for reducing food waste in Central Ohio. As the Food Waste Programs Administrator at SWACO, she leads the Central Ohio Food Waste Initiative, a collaboration of businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies working together to eliminate wasted food. Jane brings a wealth of experience from her work on the Zero Waste Island Initiative, as well as her background in environmental studies and agro ecology. Her commitment to working with diverse stakeholders to build consensus and find practical solutions is making a real difference in reducing food waste across the community.

Episode in a glance

- Jane's Ukrainian Upbringing and Early Interest in Agriculture
- The Zero Waste Island Initiative on Governor's Island
- From Awareness Building to Solution-Oriented Work
- Food Scraps Make Up 15% of the Landfill
- SWACO's Unique Role as a Solid Waste District
- Consistency in Handling Food Waste
- The Pursuit of Agro Ecology
- Empowering People to Reduce Food Waste
- Permaculture vs Regenerative Agriculture

About Jane Boehm

Jane Boehm is the Food Waste Programs Administrator at SWACO, the solid waste authority of Central Ohio. She's a passionate advocate for sustainable food systems and a key driver in reducing food waste across the region. Jane combines her deep understanding of agriculture and environmental science with her ability to engage diverse stakeholders to create lasting change. She's dedicated to building a community that values reducing waste and maximizing the use of food resources, inspiring others to take action and contribute to a healthier planet.

Connect with Jane Boehm & SWACO

• SWACO website & Landfill Tour Sign-Up: https://www.swaco.org/
• Save More Than Food Campaign website: https://savemorethanfood.org/
• Jane Boehm's email: foodwaste@swaco.org

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How is Toyota, a global automotive giant, tackling water scarcity, championing biodiversity, and redefining sustainability in manufacturing?

Toyota's sustainability journey has evolved over 30 years, moving from a focus on waste reduction and efficiency to a comprehensive approach encompassing carbon neutrality, water conservation, biodiversity, and responsible materials. They prioritize a diverse portfolio of vehicle options, like hybrids and fuel cell vehicles, to meet diverse needs while minimizing environmental impact. Toyota actively collaborates with other industry players, shares knowledge, and strives for transparency, recognizing that sustainability is a collective effort. Their commitment to education and continuous improvement is evident in initiatives like 100% water recycling at their Baja plant and ongoing research into less toxic materials.

Episode in a glance

- Why environmental sustainability is crucial for the automotive industry
- Toyota's evolution towards a holistic sustainability approach
- The importance of regeneration and positive impacts on communities
- Success stories in water conservation and recycling
- Challenges and strategies for large corporations to embrace sustainability
- Toyota's commitment to material innovation and responsible chemistry

About Kevin Butt

Kevin is the Regional Environmental Sustainability Director at Toyota. He is responsible for the development of Environmental Sustainability Programs in addition to Regulatory and Legislative development for all of Toyota’s North American operations. He also serves on several boards including the National Wildlife Habitat Council, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation, World Wildlife Fund National Council, North American Great Plains Advisory Board and the Yellowstone Park Foundation Board.

The 2023 North American Environmental Sustainability Report → https://www.toyota.com/content/dam/tusa/environmentreport/downloads/2023NAER_Final.pdf

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Kevin Butt is the Regional Environmental Sustainability Director at Toyota North America. Kevin shares his remarkable journey from a curious young mind exploring the woods to becoming a leading advocate for environmental sustainability in the automotive sector. Kevin talks about how his experiences working in a steel mill and his unwavering passion for the environment led him to champion sustainability at Toyota for over 30 years. Kevin provides a candid look at the evolving landscape of sustainability, highlighting Toyota's commitment to responsible environmental stewardship. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration across industries and shares fascinating stories of innovative projects, including the repurposing of hybrid batteries for off-grid power generation at Yellowstone National Park. Gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between carbon, materials, water, and biodiversity, and learn how Toyota addresses these critical pillars of sustainability.

Episode in a glance

- Kevin's Passion for Nature and Environmental Protection
- From Coal Research to Steel Mills to Toyota
- Evolution of Sustainability at Toyota Over Three Decades
- Carbon, Materials, Water, and Biodiversity
- Collaboration in the Automotive Industry
- The Importance of Water Conservation and Biodiversity
- Innovation in Yellowstone National Park
- Toyota's Pollinator Habitat Initiative
- Common-Sense Approaches to Environmental Issues

About Kevin Butt

Kevin is the Regional Environmental Sustainability Director at Toyota. He is responsible for the development of Environmental Sustainability Programs in addition to Regulatory and Legislative development for all of Toyota’s North American operations. He also serves on several boards including the National Wildlife Habitat Council, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation, World Wildlife Fund National Council, North American Great Plains Advisory Board and the Yellowstone Park Foundation Board.

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Zach Walls, the Cafe Manager at Florin Coffee, isn't just brewing delicious coffee; he's crafting a sustainable future for the coffee industry. By diverting over 90% of waste from landfills, Florin Coffee has achieved the impressive "zero waste" status. But what does it take for a small, independent cafe to make such a significant environmental impact?

Zach's commitment to sustainability goes beyond just composting coffee grounds and using recyclable cups. He emphasizes the importance of choosing eco-friendly products, supporting local businesses, and educating customers about sustainable practices. By making small changes, like switching to compostable to-go containers and partnering with a food rescue organization, Florin Coffee is proving that businesses can thrive while minimizing their carbon footprint. Zach's passion for coffee and sustainability is a testament to the power of individual action in creating a greener future.

Episode in a glance

- Florin Coffee
- The Importance of Creating Community
- Specialty Coffee vs. Commodity Coffee
- Why Sustainability Matters in the Coffee Industry
- Composting, Food Rescue, and Compostable Products
- Recyclable Bags and Coffee Tins
- Florin Coffee's Sustainable Practices
- Advice for Businesses Moving Toward Sustainability

About Zach Wells & Florin Coffee

Zach is the Cafe Manager of Florin Coffee. Florin Coffee operates as a roaster with wholesale partnerships, online sales, and an in-person cafe - all while diverting more than 90% of their waste from the landfill.


Connect with Zach Wells and Florin Coffee

Website → https://www.florincoffee.com

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Do you know what happens to those bread tags or misprinted 3D models? What if they could be transformed into beautiful, functional furniture?

Joseph Klatt, the founder of Marble Plastics, is on a mission to revolutionize the furniture industry. His company is transforming discarded plastic – from bread tags to 3D printer waste – into durable and beautiful chairs, tables, and countertops. Their unique compression molding process preserves the character of the recycled plastic, creating visually stunning pieces that tell a story of sustainability. Marble Plastics prioritizes local sourcing and collaborates with recyclers to minimize their environmental impact. By championing hyper-local recycling, they are contributing to a more circular economy where materials are reused and waste is reduced. Joseph envisions a future where bioplastics play a crucial role in replacing single-use plastics. He also emphasizes the need for government intervention to make sustainable materials more accessible and affordable. With a growing demand from businesses seeking eco-friendly products, Marble Plastics is leading the way in demonstrating how style and sustainability can go hand in hand.

Episode in a glance

- Marble Plastics' Unique Process for Creating Recycled Plastic Sheets
- Why Furniture is the Most Exciting Product for Marble Plastics
- The Story Behind the Name Marble Plastics
- The Plastic Used by Marble Plastics, Including Bread Tags and 3D Printer Waste
- The Concept of Hyper-Local Recycling and Its Importance for Sustainability
- The Biggest Changes Needed to Address the Plastic Problem
- The Excitement and Demand from Businesses for Recycled Plastic Products
- How to Support Marble Plastics

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/

LinkedIN → https://www.linkedin.com/company/marble-plastics

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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

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