Dominique and Adam take a look back at a year of insightful conversations with Green Champions: celebrating reaching over 40 episodes, highlighting key takeaways from their guests, starting with the power of volunteering as a pathway to a career in sustainability. Hear inspiring examples from individuals like Aryeh Alex and Dana Watts who turned their passion for the environment into impactful roles.

They also emphasize the importance of community involvement, featuring guests like Lisa Goldsand of Circular Thrift and Joseph Klatt. And for those facing uncertainty on their sustainability journey, learn how Jane Boehm and Tyler Bonner embraced challenges and navigated their way to success.

Dominique and Adam emphasize the crucial role of data-driven decision-making in driving effective sustainability initiatives. They also highlight how sustainable practices can benefit businesses, with real-world examples from companies like Toyota and a leading sustainability consultancy.

Episode in a glance

• Introduction and Reflection on the Year
• Favorite Themes from the Year: Volunteering and Community Involvement
• Volunteering as a Pathway to Sustainability
• Community Involvement and Sustainable Solutions
• Making Progress Through Discomfort and Confusion:
• The Importance of a Growth Mindset
• Incorporating Sustainability into Business
• Looking Ahead to Next Year
• 
  

Green Champions Website: https://www.thegreenchampions.com/

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Nora Gerber, Executive Director of the University District Organization, dives into the details of the innovative Can Fairy Curbside Recycling Program. She explains how the program addresses the long-standing tradition of "can fairies" – students leaving cans on their lawns for others to collect – and the resulting litter problem, the program promotes cleaner, safer, and more sustainable practices within the community. It's a simple but effective solution: fill the box, not the lawn.

Nora describes the program's evolution from a proof of concept on one street to a growing initiative serving over 200 houses, diverting nearly 10,000 pounds of recyclables in just eight weeks. She shares the challenges of changing ingrained habits, the importance of data collection in demonstrating impact, and the program's ultimate goal of creating cleaner, more beautiful neighborhoods. Beyond simply collecting recyclables, the Can Fairy Program empowers residents to take ownership of their environmental impact and participate in a community-wide effort to promote sustainability. Plus, there's the added bonus of weekly prizes!

Episode in a glance

-The Can Fairy Project: A Curbside Recycling Program
-The University District
-Why is Recycling a Problem in the University District?
-The Can Fairy Origin Story
-From Proof of Concept to Pilot Program: How The Can Fairy Started
-Meeting Students Where They Are: Making Recycling Easy
-Data Collection and Program Growth
-The Goal of the Can Fairy Program
-How to Get Involved and Support the Can Fairy Program
-Tips for Sustainable Living from Nora

About Nora Gerber

Nora Gerber is a dedicated community leader and Executive Director of the University District Organization. Born and raised in Columbus, she has a deep passion for creating vibrant and resilient neighborhoods. Her work focuses on improving the quality of life for residents, promoting economic growth, and tackling unique challenges facing the University District. Nora believes in the power of hyper-local initiatives and community engagement to create positive change.

Connect with Nora Gerber and the University District Organization

• Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/universitydistrict
• Website → https://www.universitydistrict.org/

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Nora Gerber, Executive Director of the University District Organization, shares her journey from growing up in Columbus to leading hyper-local initiatives that are making a real difference. Nora's deep connection to Columbus has fueled her desire to make a positive impact. She talks about her early experiences growing up, her studies in Public Affairs and Spanish at Ohio State, and her involvement in the early days of GiveBackHack and how she found her way to the University District Organization. Nora's diverse background, which includes working in workforce development, community engagement, and even driving Mobile City Hall for the city, has given her a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities of urban sustainability. She emphasizes the importance of accessibility and community pride in creating vibrant and resilient neighborhoods.

Episode in a glance

- Who is Nora Gerber?
- What is the University District?
- A Love for Hyper-Local Initiatives
- Studying Public Affairs and Spanish
- An Interest in Community and Sustainability
- Joining the University District Organization
- The Can Fairy Program: A Unique Approach to Recycling
- Parks, Public Art, and Community Outreach

About Nora Gerber

Nora Gerber is a dedicated community leader and Executive Director of the University District Organization. Born and raised in Columbus, she has a deep passion for creating vibrant and resilient neighborhoods. Her work focuses on improving the quality of life for residents, promoting economic growth, and tackling unique challenges facing the University District. Nora believes in the power of hyper-local initiatives and community engagement to create positive change.

Connect with Nora Gerber and the University District Organization

• Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/universitydistrict
• Website → https://www.universitydistrict.org/

Send us a message!

Tyler Bonner, founder and CEO of Zero Waste Event Productions, takes us behind the scenes of his innovative social enterprise, which is transforming the way we think about waste at outdoor events. He describes the company's unique approach to waste management, highlighting the use of portable conveyor belts for efficient and safe sorting, and the importance of engaging attendees in the process. Since its inception, Zero Waste Event Productions has diverted nearly one million pounds of waste from landfills, demonstrating the significant impact of their efforts.

Tyler discusses the challenges of working with different event organizers and the strategies he uses to maximize waste diversion rates. He also shares impressive statistics on the company's impact, its future plans, and the development of an app and other tools to empower other organizations to adopt zero-waste practices.

Episode in a glance

-Zero Waste Event Productions: Mission and Services
-The Magic of the Portable Conveyor Belt
-Achieving Zero Waste at Events
-The Event Organizer's Journey with Zero Waste Event Productions
-Zero Waste Event Productions Impact and Statistics
-Leading a Team and Managing Multiple Events
-Pivoting During the Pandemic: The Plastic Shop
-The Volunteer Experience
-A Simple Takeaway: Pick Up After Yourself
-The Future of Zero Waste Event Productions

About Tyler Bonner

Tyler Bonner is the founder and CEO of Zero Waste Event Productions, a company dedicated to promoting sustainability at outdoor events. His passion for the environment, cultivated through a degree in ecotourism adventure travel and his work with AmeriCorps, has led him to develop innovative solutions for waste management and community engagement.

Connect with Tyler Bonner & his work

Rural Action Website → http://ruralaction.org/

Zero Waste Event Productions → https://zerowastefest.com/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/zerowaste_ep/

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/zerowasteeventproductions/

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How did a degree in ecotourism adventure travel lead Tyler to a career in zero-waste event production?

Tyler Bonner, founder and CEO of Zero Waste Event Productions, shares his unconventional path to a career in sustainability. From exploring the woods of Athens, Ohio, to scuba diving in the Bahamas, Tyler's passion for the environment has taken him on a series of adventures. He describes his studies in ecotourism and conservation social sciences, highlighting the importance of hands-on learning and community engagement. Tyler also shares his experience with AmeriCorps, working with Rural Action to address environmental challenges in Southeast Ohio, including illegal dumping and a lack of waste management resources.

Episode in a glance

- Growing Up in Athens and Discovering Ecotourism
- Adventures in the Bahamas and the Pacific Northwest
- From Ecotourism to Conservation Social Sciences
- A Cross-Country Journey and a Return to Roots
- AmeriCorps and Rural Action: Tackling Environmental Challenges
- Community Engagement and Waste Management Solutions
- Addressing Poverty and Education in the Zero Waste Movement
- The Birth of Zero Waste Event Productions
- Getting Involved in Sustainability through AmeriCorps

About Tyler Bonner

Tyler Bonner is the founder and CEO of Zero Waste Event Productions, a company dedicated to promoting sustainability at outdoor events. His passion for the environment, cultivated through a degree in ecotourism adventure travel and his work with AmeriCorps, has led him to develop innovative solutions for waste management and community engagement.

Connect with Tyler Bonner & his work

Rural Action Website → http://ruralaction.org

Zero Waste Event Productions → https://zerowastefest.com

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/zerowaste_ep

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/zerowasteeventproductions

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How is Joya Elmore turning her school into a zero-waste haven, one compostable pumpkin at a time?

Episode in a glance

- The Growers Program: Growing Food, Mind, and Soul
- Hydroponics and Botany: A Deeper Dive into Plants
- The Green Club: Student-Driven Sustainability
- Balancing Leadership and Advocacy
- The Wonder Bus: Expanding Learning Beyond the Classroom
- Embracing the Process, Not Just the Goal
- The Importance of Self-Care and Connecting with Nature

About Joya Elmore

Joya Elmore is a passionate educator and advocate for sustainability. She is the Director of Environment-based Learning at the Wellington School, where she works with students of all ages to develop a deep understanding of their environment and the importance of sustainable practices. She believes that hands-on learning, connecting with nature, and fostering a sense of responsibility are essential for empowering young minds to create a healthier and more sustainable future.

Connect with Joya Elmore

→ Wellington School Website: https://www.wellington.org
→ Wellington School Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellingtonschool
→ See the sustainability program at Wellington
→ Read about the sustainability program at Wellington
→ Joya's Email: elmore@wellington.org

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What does an environment-based classroom look like?

Joya Elmore, Director of Environment-based Learning at the Wellington School, shares her inspiring journey into the world of sustainability education. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in environmental values and living in a geodesic dome, Joya developed a deep appreciation for nature and sustainable living from a young age. She recounts how her experiences as a teacher ignited her passion for connecting students to their food sources, understanding the environment, and developing a sense of stewardship.

Episode in a glance

- Growing Up in a Family of Hippies and Geodesic Domes
- From Bartender to Teacher
- The Magic of Environment-based Learning
- From Virginia to Alabama to Ohio
- Gardening and Sustainability Initiatives at Wellington
- Advocating for Sustainability & Wellbeing at Wellington
- Sustainability, Wellbeing, and Service Learning

About Joya Elmore

Joya Elmore is a passionate educator and advocate for sustainability. She is the Director of Environment-based Learning at the Wellington School, where she works with students of all ages to develop a deep understanding of their environment and the importance of sustainable practices. She believes that hands-on learning, connecting with nature, and fostering a sense of responsibility are essential for empowering young minds to create a healthier and more sustainable future.

Connect with Joya Elmore

→ See the sustainability program at Wellington
→ Read about the sustainability program at Wellington
→ Joya's Email: elmore@wellington.org

Send us a message!

How can we equip the next generation to tackle the complex challenges of sustainability?

Neil Drobny shares his experience building academic programs that empower students to make a real-world impact. He played a pivotal role in developing Ohio State University's sustainability major EEDS (Environment, Economy, Development and Sustainability). He also spearheaded the Bronco Challenge for Sustainable Impact at Western Michigan University, a competition that encourages students to develop innovative solutions to pressing environmental issues. Learn how these programs are shaping the future of sustainability and empowering students to become changemakers.

Episode in a glance

• What is EEDS & its origins at OSU
• Explaining EEDS to Students
• Job Placement and Success Stories of EEDS Graduates
• Examples of EEDS Student Projects
• Neil's Reflections on the EEDS Program
• The Bronco Challenge for Sustainable Impact at Western Michigan University
• How the Bronco Challenge Works

About Neil Drobny

Neil Drobny is a passionate advocate for sustainability with a diverse background in business, academia, and environmental consulting. He is the program director of the Bronco Challenge for Sustainable Impact at Western Michigan University, a program that empowers student teams to develop innovative solutions to pressing environmental problems. Neil was a key contributor in the development of the EEDS (Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability) program at Ohio State University, which has become a leading sustainability-focused major. Neil has a long history of working with businesses and organizations to adopt more sustainable practices, bringing a deep understanding of both the practical and theoretical aspects of environmental issues. He is dedicated to fostering a new generation of sustainability leaders and inspiring change through hands-on learning and impactful programs.

Connect with Neil Drobny & The Bronco Challenge for Sustainable Impact

→ https://wmich.edu/sustainability/initiatives/broncochallenge

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