Episodes

Zagrous Kawarizadeh is the president of Columbus Micro Systems, a family business with a unique perspective on sustainability. Founded in 1988, the company has evolved from building computers to becoming a leader in IT recycling. Zag brings a passion for solving problems and a deep understanding of data security to his role. Columbus Micro Systems goes beyond just recycling electronics - they ensure data security, provide refurbished computers to individuals, and work to keep the recycling proce...

SWACO, the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio led by Jane Boehm, is leading the charge to reduce food waste in the region. Through the Central Ohio Food Waste Initiative, they've brought together a diverse group of partners, including businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies, to work toward eliminating food waste. The initiative focuses on three key areas: prevention, donation, and composting. One of the program's notable successes is the Columbus Food Rescue, which redistributes ov...

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 bu...

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 m...

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 sustain...

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 choo...

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 visuall...

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 t...

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 discu...

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...

Are you curious about how electric vehicle owners overcome range anxiety and embark on cross-country adventures? Mryia Williams, the Ohio Program Associate for Solar United Neighbors and the Executive Director of Drive Electric Columbus shares exciting updates on the funding and initiatives driving solar and electric vehicle (EV) adoption. With a focus on accessibility, Mryia discusses the $312 million in funding from the Solar for All program, aimed at bringing solar energy to low-income com...

Did you know that you can power your electric vehicle with solar energy? Mryia Williams, Ohio Program Associate for Solar United Neighbors (SUN) and Executive Director of Drive Electric Columbus, shares her insights on making sustainable transitions accessible to everyone. Mryia shares her inspiring journey from being a stay-at-home mom to becoming a leading advocate for solar energy and electric vehicles (EVs). She explains how her personal experiences, including a family tragedy, fueled her...

How can going the extra mile for your customers lead to a million-pound impact? Ray Leard, the "Compost King" of Central Ohio, talks about the driving forces behind his incredible success with the Compost Exchange. Ray shares invaluable insights into his customer-centric philosophy, the key role pilot programs played in expanding the business, and the challenges he faced in finding facilities to process the staggering amount of food waste collected. With a focus on delivering an unparalleled ...

Ray Leard is dubbed as the "Compost King" for his pioneering efforts in bringing large-scale composting to Central Ohio. As the founder of the Compost Exchange, Ray single-handedly paved the way for residential curbside food scrap recycling and composting services in a region of over 3 million people. His journey began in 2012 with a small experiment in Athens, where he built a composting operation from scratch. Fueled by a passion for sustainability and a knack for building relationships, Ray e...

Picture your dream wedding. Does it include overflowing trash cans and wilting flowers? Probably not. But weddings are often surprisingly wasteful. However, one inspiring event planner is determined to change this. Dana Watts, founder of Thyme & Details, is on a mission to bring sustainability to the forefront of weddings without sacrificing the beauty and romance. Thyme & Details specializes in creating whimsical, eco-conscious weddings. Dana works tirelessly to address the key areas of w...

Have you ever stopped to think about the amount of waste generated at a typical wedding? From leftover food to floral arrangements and decor items, the waste can quickly add up. But what if there was a way to plan a beautiful, romantic event without compromising on sustainability? Dana Watts is the founder of Thyme & Details, a sustainable event planning company that specializes in creating whimsical, eco-conscious weddings. Prior to launching Thyme & Details, Dana spent years working alongsi...

Can you imagine a future where clean energy access is the norm, creating thriving communities and a healthier planet? John McNamara is making this vision a reality through solar innovation and commitment to social impact. John McNamara, Chief Operations Officer of Appalachian Renewable Power (ARP), is a champion of change in the solar industry. His journey underscores that you don't have to be a solar expert to make a difference – sometimes the greatest impact comes from bringing your unique ...

Can you imagine starting every day knowing you're making a tangible impact on climate change through renewable energy solutions? That's the inspiring reality for John McNamara, Chief Operations Officer at Appalachian Renewable Power. John is a force for positive environmental change. His passion for sustainability took him from a career path few would expect into a leadership role in the solar industry. Today, he champions innovative solar projects, such as Ohio's first-ever floating solar ar...

Can a neighborhood thrifting initiative make a dent in the massive problem of fashion waste? Lisa Goldsand, the founder of Circular Thrift, shares her mission to valorize post-consumer textile waste and scale the reuse of clothing and accessories at a hyperlocal level. Through her unique collection bins, swap events, and mobile trike sales, Lisa is revolutionizing the way communities approach sustainable fashion, making it both convenient and enjoyable. Lisa shares her insights on consumer be...

What motivates someone to leave a 20-year corporate career in fashion to spearhead a sustainability revolution? Lisa Goldsand, founder of the hyperlocal service Circular Thrift, shares how we can transform our fashion habits. With insights from her extensive corporate retail experience, she discusses challenges and opportunities within the industry and emphasizes consumer power in driving change. Lisa advocates for buying less, opting for quality pre-owned pieces, and embracing local clothing...

Can sustainability and profit-maximization co-exist in the hotel industry? Grant Behnke, Director at Rockbridge private equity real estate firm discuss his pioneering work in implementing environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices in the hotel sector. Grant shares his journey of establishing a baseline for ESG performance, producing Rockbridge's first-ever ESG report, and advocating for a full-time sustainability role within the company. He dives deep into the challenges and opportu...

How did a fascination with hotels from a young age evolve into a career championing sustainability in the hospitality industry? Grant Behnke, Director of Development & ESG at Rockbridge, shares his unique journey into the hotel industry. Discover the catalyzing experiences that sparked Grant's early interest in the inner workings of hotels and how his commitment to sustainability grew in tandem. Gain insights into the values that have driven Grant's passion for service and his desire to contr...

How do you mobilize an entire city to take action for the environment? Shelly Douglas of Green Columbus shows us how a small but mighty nonprofit can make a big impact through community engagement and planting roots for sustainable change. In this episode, we dive deep into the inspiring work of Shelly Douglas, the driving force behind Green Columbus. From organizing the largest volunteer-driven Earth Day event in the country to running a community tree nursery, Shelly shares her passion for ...

Did you know that planting trees can reduce crime, lower rates of asthma, and even cool our cities? Hear the amazing story of how Shelly Douglas is leading the charge to bring more trees to communities in need. In this episode, Dominique Hadad and Adam Morris chat with Shelly Douglas, the Executive Director of Green Columbus, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing tree coverage and environmental education in Columbus, Ohio. Shelly shares her inspiring journey from animal-loving kid...