Live Recording - How Columbus is Moving the Needle on Waste Diversion

Green Champions

The Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit (MRSS) is the largest sustainability conference in the Midwest, bringing together hundreds of visionary leaders to share ideas and solutions for a healthier, more resilient, and equitable future. The annual summit features a full day of programming, including speakers, exhibitors, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, covering a wide range of topics from climate justice and green workforce development to resilient food systems and circular economy practices. MRSS serves as a vital platform for collaboration and innovation, inspiring action and accelerating the transition to a sustainable future in the Midwest.

Shownotes

Recorded live at the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit, leaders from Columbus, Ohio share how they’re building a more circular and equitable approach to waste diversion. Aryeh Alex, Christy Walters, and Marcus Carano dive into practical solutions—from food rescue pilots and mattress recycling to IT reuse and green job creation. Proving that sustainability isn’t just about reducing waste, but about creating opportunities. The conversation highlights how public policy, grassroots engagement, and cross-sector partnerships can align to drive real, lasting impact. Whether you're a city planner, a nonprofit leader, or just sustainability-curious, this episode offers grounded inspiration for making circular systems work in any community.

Episode in a glance

- City-Led Initiatives: Weekly Recycling and Compost Drop-Offs
- Incentivizing Change with GreenSpot
- The Role of Technology and Innovation in Waste Diversion
- Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers
- GreenSpot Spotlight Awards: Celebrating Corporate Sustainability
- Smart Columbus and Corporate Engagement
- Policy and Equity in Waste Diversion
- Diversifying Community Engagement

About The Panelists

Aryeh Alex: Sustainability Manager for the City of Columbus, leading efforts in waste diversion, organics, and circular economy initiatives.

Christy Walters: GreenSpot Coordinator, educating and engaging residents, businesses, and community groups in sustainability.

Marcus Carano: Leader of Corporate Partnerships and Sustainability at Smart Columbus, fostering innovation and collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Connect with the panelists and their work

• GreenScope Consulting → https://www.greenscopeconsulting.com/
• City of Columbus Sustainability → https://www.columbus.gov/Government/Mayors-Office/Sustainable-Columbus
• GreenSpot → https://www.columbus.gov/Government/Mayors-Office/Sustainable-Columbus/GreenSpot
• Smart Columbus → https://smartcolumbus.com/
• SWACO → https://www.swaco.org/
• Columbus Food Rescue → https://local-matters.org/columbus-food-rescue/
• Rumpke → https://www.rumpke.com/
• Green Umbrella → https://greenumbrella.org/
• Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit → https://www.midwestsustainabilitysummit.org/

Send us a message!

Chapters

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. City-Led Initiatives: Weekly Recycling and Compost Drop-Offs (00:05:57)

3. Incentivizing Change with GreenSpot (00:08:56)

4. The Role of Technology and Innovation in Waste Diversion (00:10:16)

5. Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers (00:14:08)

6. GreenSpot Spotlight Awards: Celebrating Corporate Sustainability (00:16:21)

7. Smart Columbus and Corporate Engagement (00:18:47)

8. Policy and Equity in Waste Diversion (00:20:51)

9. Diversifying Community Engagement (00:26:22)