Danna Lotz - School Recycling Programs That Actually Work

[00:00:10] Dominique: Hello and welcome to Green Champions.

[00:00:12] Adam: Thanks for joining us in a conversation with real people sharing sustainability success stories.

[00:00:17] Dominique: This podcast is a platform for green champions to share their stories and plant new ideas. I'm Dominique.

[00:00:23] Adam: And I'm Adam.

[00:00:24] Dominique: Today we are joined once again by Danna Lotz. Danna is the school programs administrator at the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio. You're gonna hear us refer to SWACO quite a bit in this episode.

So that's S-W-A-C-O, SWACO. Danna has taught elementary school for 18 years before now getting into her role as a program administrator. If you missed it, our last episode talked about Danna's journey into becoming an educator. How she found herself being passionate about education, but then also what she learned in that role and how she's carried that forward into advocating for sustainability at schools.

And I highly recommend checking out the episode as you have not done so yet. But today we're talking about sustainability as it relates to school programming and how exactly Danna has championed that programming in schools. So Danna, welcome back.

[00:01:10] Danna: Thank you. I appreciate being here.

[00:01:12] Dominique: So Danna, I mentioned SWACO. Tell us what SWACO is and their mission.

[00:01:17] Danna: So the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio, like you mentioned, we have programs. We have a huge programs department, and we also own and operate Franklin County Sanitary Landfill. So our largest mission is how can we promote keeping stuff outta the landfill to make the landfill last as long as possible. And through that we have programs to help the communities, residents, schools, and businesses recycle, reduce and reuse to divert waste from our landfill.

[00:01:45] Dominique: Real quick, in terms of like landfill trends, does the landfill collect more every year?

[00:01:50] Danna: Well, as of now, we are flatlining, so we're staying steady, but the population is growing. And we do a waste characterization study every five years. So we're in the, the beginning stages of our study for this next five years, and we'll get that data back, hopefully in the next, I don't know, weeks or months. And then we'll use that to set our new goals and make changes in our programs.

[00:02:11] Dominique: But that, that flatlining is good news considering the fact that there is more and more material being created and sent to the landfill. So that insinuates that there is more diversion efforts happening?

[00:02:21] Danna: I think so. I hope so. But we're gonna keep pushing for even more. So as the population grows, I think in 2050, what's the stat in 2050? They think our population is gonna grow by another 1.3 million. So more than double by 2050.

[00:02:35] Dominique: Which is crazy. 

[00:02:36] Danna: I just heard that. I'm hoping that's the true fact. But so we really just need to keep on this trend of making sure that we have the infrastructure, and that's what SWACO wants to do. We wanna make sure that we're implementing programs and have infrastructure for more people to join. 

[00:02:51] Adam: And I know we wanna get more into your role, but just thinking about why that's so important for listeners who may be waste is not top of mind for them around sustainability initiatives. When we think about our landfills, we only can fill them so much and then they get capped off and then you can't develop on landfill land And so when you just think about the economic development of a community whenever a landfill is filled, you have to then find space for a new landfill. And that is now taking the place of what would be a community, what would be a neighborhood, what would be all the things nearby a landfill. And so if you can imagine just kind of bird's eye view of a community and adding more and more landfills at more and more locations that are further from their ideal spot that's just further adding emissions and complicating our sustainability story. Ooh, A nugget Wisdom from Dominique. I love that. So, back to you. Can you explain your role at SWACO and what your work with schools looks like today?

[00:03:48] Danna: Absolutely. So I oversee a variety of projects within the school programs. The first one is the School Recycling Champion Program, and basically what that is, is if you're a teacher in Franklin County, whether it's a public, private charter, parochial school, you can apply and we provide free containers for recycling indoors. We set you up with free signage and then education and outreach to make sure that the whole school community understands why recycling's important and what are the best practices to make it successful.

And then another project I work on is called our school district Consortium. That's where we invite all the public school district leaders, usually facilities, directors, operations directors, sometimes it's a superintendent. And every five years we pull them together and we help them bid for their waste and recycling hauling services. We meet with the district leaders on a monthly basis to kind of make sure that these agreements suit their needs, because every school district might have a little bit different.

And then we pull them together. We put the bids out on the street, and then we have amazing haulers that can bid on these. And then we work with them continuously to problem solve and talk about challenges and ways to avert maybe even more waste. So that's a unique piece of my work 'cause I work with teachers and students, but then I also work with those district leaders in that aspect.

And then another thing that I oversee is a green team network that just started this past year and it's open on our website, there's a green team page. So if you are a teacher that has a green team or want to start a green team, it could be an environmental club, it could just be two students that wanna make an impact environmentally at your school. You can join our network and we meet quarterly or bi-annually.

And we will just share resources and get to know each other and hopefully share what works at your school and you might be able to help somebody else. So those are the main things that I oversee as the school program administrator.

[00:05:33] Adam: Cool. So what sort of things are people doing on their green teams?

[00:05:37] Danna: So different things. Sometimes they are collecting the recycling and actually taking it to the dumpster weekly, depending on the age. They sometimes track data, so they can do impact reports to their board or just they do it during math class. Sometimes they pick up trash around their school. Sometimes they do that at like events. Sometimes the students help at special events outside of the stadiums. They'll stand by the containers and help keep contamination out and redirect patrons and knowing what's recyclable and what's not.

[00:06:06] Adam: So it's such just a big variety of more sustainability as a whole. Wow. That sounds like a cool place for different schools to get ideas from each other about what they can do and what's working well within their own schools.

[00:06:17] Danna: it really is. And again, there could be a student that has an idea at one school and the other school didn't think about it, or they problem solved in some way that, Hey, if it worked for you, I can take your idea and run with it.

[00:06:27] Dominique: And I really wanna unpack this School Recycling Champions program and how you've seen it grow during your time already at SWACO, where it's going, why it's so special. And you shared a little bit that SWACO is providing resources to those schools but can you walk us through like, how does SWACO support a school from interest to actual action?

[00:06:48] Danna: So a lot of times I'll get an email from a teacher or a district just inquiring information, but we do have a designated page, and so I usually lead them to our webpage for the School Recycling Champions program. They can apply there. And really, if you have a recycling dumpster in place and you are in Franklin County, you qualify. 

[00:07:07] Dominique: So that's public and private schools alike? 

[00:07:10] Danna: Yes. As long as you're any type of school in Franklin County, there's no size requirements or anything like that. And then even if your school district is partly outside of the county, we ask that at least 50% of your district be in the county. Because our mission is to help divert waste from trash coming to our landfill.

[00:07:27] Dominique: What does that journey look like?

[00:07:29] Danna: Once you apply, then I will reach out to you to set up a meeting, and there are three phases to the program.

The first phase is evaluation. I'll come through and we'll check out what you already have and if you don't have any, that's fine too. We'll just walk around the school and see what bins are needed and where they should be placed. And then the second one is education and I provide lots of different resources for you to educate your staff and students, whether it be a slideshow, a video, it could be some worksheets, student activities. I can come in and do a presentation or assembly even.

And then the last phase is I drop off the bins and put up the signage for you and help you get everything in place. You get started on the program, you start recycling. And then at the end we'll come and recognize you and we'll do a photo shoot and we'll provide a banner certificate, something like that. And then we try to promote the work that you're doing on our social media and different platforms.

[00:08:23] Dominique: Andhow many schools did you see go through all three phases this past year?

[00:08:28] Danna: Yeah, in 2025 we had 14 schools complete all three phases, which was amazing to do. So previously we had an amazing lady Kristy Higginbotham, who has been at SWACO for, gosh, I think over 25 years. And she has done a fantastic job, but she was holding many roles. And so schools was just one part of her job role and they would average three, four schools a year, which was fantastic.

[00:08:55] Adam: But since I am now designated as the sole person that works in the school programs department and being able to streamline some things.I was really able to work with so many more schools this year. In those schools, who are the key stakeholders that you're working with?

[00:09:09] Danna: So typically it's a teacher, sometimes a teacher aide, the principal, that reaches out. And so they're my main contact, but they, no matter what, we always wanna make sure the principal is supportive because they're gonna oversee the program. Then we also need the school district or the district leaders to be on board as well because we, again, we wanna make sure that these are, no pun intended, but sustainable programs over time. We wanna make sure that no matter what, these programs can continue through as long as possible year after year. So I stay in contact with the schools, even if the teacher were to leave, to make sure that I am there to give any technical assistance and just find out what their needs are even after they've implemented the program.

[00:09:47] Adam: Can you share a specific example of a school that has had a meaningful impact through one of these programs? 

[00:09:53] Danna: Last year we had a, I think it was a junior at Westerville South High School, and it was exciting because I hadn't worked with a student leading this. And he had the wonderful support of an environmental club teacher and they actually like weigh and monitor every single recyclable that comes through. And that's not something that we ask for that's above and beyond, but it's because they want to show the impact they're truly making. And so they'll count how many plastics and aluminum cans and paper and cardboard. So that's been good to see because I don't always get the numbers, it's hard.

It's a lot of work to collect the actual data. So that was really cool to see. I don't remember offhand, but the numbers are staggering when you start to see the impact that they're making by diverting those recyclables.

[00:10:39] Dominique: I think it's awesome to mention that a student led that initiative and seeing how students can create that trend at the school.

[00:10:47] Danna: I also wanted to note that you've also worked with entire districts. And so do you tend to notice that when a school in a district is engaged, it's kind of a catalyst for the rest of the district to get on board, I have seen the positives of both. So single schools versus the district. So with the single schools coming in, I think it's great because teachers talk, right? They're friends across the district and things. They start to plug it on social media, parents start asking like, well, my daughter or son said that they're not recycling at their school.

Why is this elementary and not me? So just starting that conversation gets more schools. So for example, I'm working with several Southwestern city schools right now, and I think they're just sharing their experiences and like, yeah, this was easy and this was fun, and students are involved. And so I think just talking amongst themselves really helps.

But then I've also worked with Worthington as a district and their whole district has come up with sustainability plan. And those schools were excited and the district was obviously engaging in them in conversation. And so it's also worked that way. I did five Worthington middle schools last year and then this year I'll continue through the elementaries and the high schools eventually. And both ways I think they get excited and I don't know, I'm hoping, can we compete somehow? Can we start to like figure out how can we turn this into some sort of competition? Who can recycle the most or something like that. But I've seen positives, whether it's single schools or district led.

[00:12:09] Dominique: Yeah. That school by school rivalry would be very interesting. 

[00:12:12] Adam: For the students and the faculty and the staff, like how do they react once these programs are in place?

[00:12:18] Danna: I have heard just through, we do a final report and then sometimes they'll ask me to come back out, but it's such a positive response. It's one of those things, again, if it's not ingrained in our habits, they just don't think about it.

So then once they start recycling and they see that bin filled up every day or two or whatever it might be they realize like, "Wow, we were just throwing this all away before." People get excited and it catches on. And so I think seeing the students excited about it and then they start sharing maybe on the announcements they'll make posters around the school. It just really kind of gets everybody turned into it and then, hopefully they carry that home. we want them to recycle at home as well and start talking about it more.

[00:12:55] Adam: Yeah, and you echoed that on the last podcast as well when you were talking about your experience as an educator, taking your students on the landfill tours and how that really led to them talking about it in the class and saying, Hey, what can we actually do about this? How can we solve this? It's like when they see it and it's right in front of you, you can actually take action on that.

[00:13:15] Danna: Yes. Yep. Good point. 

[00:13:17] Dominique: What is the biggest challenge that schools face when navigating, adding, or improving recycling in the school?

[00:13:25] Adam: Just from my experience in talking to the teachers, it's collecting it is the easy part. Getting it to the recycling dumpster outside sometimes can be challenging just depending on their custodial services. If the custodians, if it's in their contract, sometimes they outsource their waste services. So making sure that the custodians understand the best practices and the process because I know custodians want to help, but sometimes they don't know like, are the students doing it? Am I doing it? And what's supposed to be in there? And so to me, the key part is making sure that, that I'm providing that education piece so they know exactly what's accepted, how to pair the bins up, how to make sure if you use clear bags for recycling, you can see what's in there. And that contamination is a problem, but only if it's a lot. A couple things here and there, a lot of our recyclables go to Rumpke here in Columbus and they have an amazing MRF. So where they sort all the items out and the technology is fantastic. The program's really grown over the years. How has SWACO's approach with the schools evolved over the time that you've been working with them?

[00:14:30] Danna: I think one, they saw the need for somebody designated just to schools, 

 I think we have over like, I don't know, 220 public schools just in Franklin County that's not the private and charter schools. that's why they wanna continue the landfill tour program, making sure every student in Franklin County has the opportunity to come and remember it's free, we reimburse for the busing, and you can find that information on our website.

 it's not just the teachers. I'm working with students, I'm working with parents sometimes. I haven't talked about that, but there are parents that help like collaboratives at school, PTAs, and then the school district leaders because they're the ones making those ultimate decisions.

[00:15:07] Adam: Wow. That's cool. That sounds like a lot of data to manage. Now, Dominique, you worked with Danna on the processes over at SWACO. Can you share a little bit about how the two of you got connected and what that work looked like?

[00:15:18] Dominique: I first met Danna, well, I'm not sure if it was our first meeting, but our first kind of activity together was I got to invite Danna to one of my waste audits for a school. I think I emailed you and I was like, "Hi, I think you're new in your role and I think you should come to this audit we're doing."

[00:15:33] Danna: Yep. I met her with her gloves on, hands in the trash. 

[00:15:36] Adam: Cool. 

[00:15:37] Dominique: Kind of a crazy move on my part, I was like, hi, you're doing your job, but you should really come to this. Yeah. Frankly, I think I was working with schools and really wanting there to be a Danna. And so when I was catching wind that you were coming in, I think I was asking about you a lot. And then eventually they, they were like, okay, she's starting. Like officially there was a date. And so then that was our first meeting was digging through waste and measuring for an audit we were doing, which actually Joya Elmore was also a guest in the podcast. And she shared from the school point of view what it was like to start those initiatives. One thing I'm curious about, I know we've worked together and maybe we can share more about what we've been doing together. But what changes or improvements, Danna, would you say you're most proud of maybe from our work together?

[00:16:21] Danna: Yeah, well when I met you and then we just started chatting about your background and experience, we really just started conversation, right? And it was just like, well, these are the things that I think I would make it easier for me to be able to work with more schools 'cause that was the ultimate goal, is to work with a higher quantity of schools. And it was kind of slow at first and I was doing a lot of things by hand, paper and pencil and, and people scanning things in. And it just got overwhelming really fast. And so when I met you, you just started brainstorming with me, like different ideas, and I was like, oh my gosh. Yeah, this is amazing. And you just took it and ran. You helped me map out the whole program on a whiteboard and just started plugging like, how many steps is it really? And then we started like summarizing like how could these steps 

[00:17:07] Dominique: It was too many steps.

[00:17:08] Danna: Yeah. Yeah, so I think the main thing was just moving things more digitally so that I'm not receiving a bunch of emails back and forth and losing them for getting to respond and things like that.

So you really help me tap into the technology that's already there that could be helpful. And so it was a lot of research on your part mostly. And then really streamlining like documents and data and how can we pull things so I can report back to our team and our executive director and show the amazing work.

Before I was, like I said, doing lots of math on a calculator or in my head. And this has just really helped me so that I can focus my time on the school and not behind the scenes paperwork for the school. So it's been phenomenal. Thank you. It's made my life amazing. 

[00:17:50] Adam: That's great, and we don't get a highlight Dominique enough on this podcast about the great work that she's doing helping other organizations in the community, but that's also great to hear that being able to have a perspective on your processes can help you improve them so that you can really expand your impact.

[00:18:05] Danna: Absolutely. And we're making small tweaks here and there, but for the most part it's, and all my programs, when they see it, they get a little jealous. We're like, oh my gosh, now we need Dominique to help us, because it really has made a huge impact.

[00:18:17] Adam: What role do you think schools have in the conversation around the long-term sustainability focus in the community?

[00:18:23] Danna: it's really important, right? We want kids, the younger they are, to build those habits. I know for my son, he'll literally say, "Well, I just, I haven't been taught. It's never, it hasn't been in my school." And like, that's sad. We're failing our students because, well, our children in general, because they should have access.

That's our goal. We want every school, every student to know what recycling is, what to look for, why it's important, where it goes, because we want those resources to last for those students. So I think teachers and and districts need to tap into the resources that we have, like the landfill and other community entities because 

we want these students to understand where their resources come from and how to value them and take care of them so that they last as long as possible. 

[00:19:04] Dominique: People don't, I think, often ask enough if what they think is true is still true, as technology evolves and recycling infrastructure changes. So I love that you're building a culture of education even around the topic of waste in these environments, because if you as a student watch new information come to you a few times in your education, you're probably more likely to be open to seeing new rules when you go to college or when you move to New City. So that feels powerful of what you're doing.

[00:19:34] Danna: Yeah. And just kinda what you mentioned, making them mindful, right? Bringing it to their awareness. And once it's in their awareness, there's no undoing it, at least from my perspective. And kids really take it serious and they want to do what's right until we jade them or, whatever. They'd be like, of course we, why aren't we doing this? Like, it's just, to them it's like common sense. But we need to do a better job as the adults in their lives, making sure that they, again, have that access. We're giving them the knowledge and we're giving them the resources to make the best decisions that they can.

[00:20:02] Adam: For a student or an educator that's feeling a little bit overwhelmed, what steps would you encourage them to take?

[00:20:08] Danna: If you are overwhelmed, and I know I've been there and it can be, it's gonna be challenging, but reach out to those resources, I'm happy that's what SWACO is here for, not just the resources that we have, but our jobs are to connect you to other resources. And Franklin County especially has amazing resources in sustainability, environmental, food waste, composting. And so please reach out to us for any of your sustainability needs. We'd be happy to help you or connect you to those resources.

[00:20:34] Dominique: Thank you so, so much for bringing your amazing stories and inspirational idea of that this is very possible with schools to us today. How can listeners connect with you or be an advocate of the work that you're doing? 

[00:20:47] Danna: So you can find me on LinkedIn, You can email me at schools@swaco.org. And then you can also find our resources for food waste, composting green teams, landfill tours, and all the things at swaco.org/schools.

[00:21:01] Adam: And can you tell us a little bit about the future plan for sustainability that SWACO is developing?

[00:21:06] Danna: Yeah, so SWACO is really focusing on what they're calling GreenPrint and it's a plan for the future. Some things are already in place and some things are still being planned, but our mission is to divert as much waste from the landfill as possible.

And so through our programs we're doing that, but we'd like to grow it even more. So we're looking into how can we divert textiles from the landfill and we did a pilot this year. And so we'll get that data and we'll be sharing that out. But we wanna make more convenient centers. Obviously we want them convenient for everybody, not just a few pockets in our county.

We want everybody to have quick access to these. So hopefully we'll put more convenience centers in. And mattress recycling, that's kind of a hard to recycle item that we have. And so we just, we're starting to invest and put in some more infrastructure. And for food composting, we would love to have every community having access to composting. So that's just a few of the, the items on the Green Print plan, but you can also check out more about that on our websites, swaco.org.

[00:22:01] Dominique: And if you are a school interested in being one of 15 or more schools engaged in 2026, then the application for the School Recycling Champions program will also be in our show notes.

Thank you so much, Danna 

Thank you. Thank you for having me. As always, our guests have found a unique way to champion sustainability. We are here to put real names and stories behind the idea that no matter your background, career, or interests, you really can contribute in the fight against climate change.You can find our episodes, donate or reach us at thegreenchampions.com. Give us a review and follow us on your favorite podcast platform. Our music is by Zayn Dweik. Thanks listening to Green Champions. We're gonna dig into another sustainability success story in our next episode.