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!

Here at SWACO, we're all about partnerships and learning from our neighbors new ways to recycle and reuse. So, this month is the perfect time to meet our friends at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. Did you know we're home to THE largest Ronald McDonald house in the world? In fact, our local house just completed a big renovation which cements their worldwide status. Joining Hanna and Joe is Ronald McDonald House Charities Communications Director, Maddie Knostman. She highlights several big initiatives like their 'Pop Tab Challenge', chef's garden, and various ways you can volunteer. But for this episode, we start the conversation with Maddie on how easy it is to drop off your leftover Halloween candy. It's a great way to avoid food waste at home plus you're providing sweet treats to families and kids who likely could use a pick-me-up. Plus, if you're wondering where to take your pumpkins after Halloween, Joe and Hanna have the complete list of cities and towns in Central Ohio that'll compost them for you.

Did you know the vast, vast majority of cans and bottles discarded at an Ohio State Buckeyes home football game never end up in landfill? And that's a great thing! Ohio Stadium is doing many dynamic things on game day that keep fans dialed into the X's and O's while keeping their composting and recycling efforts scoring big too! But it's not just football season. The Greater Columbus Sports Commission brings all kinds of events to our city week-in, week-out and it's constantly managing recycling, reusing and upcycling signage, bottles, cans and even t-shirts. Two leading executives join SWACO's Joe Lombardi and Hanna Greer-Brown to make history on this *Episode 1* of WasteED.