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 discussed the recently launched waste and reuse convenience centers, offering residents a free way to recycle and reuse items like electronics, clothing, and furniture. But perhaps most inspiring is Alex's vision for a circular economy in Columbus, a system that could create a thousand new jobs by transforming discarded materials, such as red solo cups, into valuable resources like marble tiles. The city's dedication to sustainability is not only reducing its environmental footprint but also empowering its residents and fostering a greener future.

Episode in a glance

- The Columbus's Climate Action Plan
- Waste reduction and the concept of a circular economy
- The potential for Food Rescue
- The success of Food Rescue Columbus
- Waste diversion successes in Columbus
- The Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers
- Aryeh's vision for a thousand circular economy jobs

About Aryeh Alex

Aryeh Alex is the Executive Director of Keep Columbus Beautiful and the Sustainability Manager for the City of Columbus, Ohio. In these roles, he leads the city's residential recycling, organic waste, waste reduction, community education, and volunteer litter programs. Aryeh also serves as the Sustainability Coordinator for the Division of Refuse Collection and is a Commissioner of the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks.

Connect with Aryeh Alex & Keep Columbus Beautiful

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

Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@keepcbusbeautiful

X/Twitter → https://x.com/kcbcolumbus

LinkedIN → https://www.linkedin.com/company/keep-columbus-beautiful

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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 Metro Parks. Through his volunteer work, Aryeh not only gained invaluable knowledge but also discovered his gift for connecting with people and empowering them to make a difference. Learn how Aryeh's unique perspective and passion for creating welcoming spaces for all can inspire you to make a positive impact on your community and the planet.

Episode in a glance

- Aryeh's first eye-opening outdoor experience at Yosemite National Park
- Discovering the hidden gems of the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks
- Aryeh's career path before finding his passion
- Translating complex sustainability solutions into actionable steps
- Litter as an environmental justice issue
- Environmental injustice and the impact on Appalachian communities
- The importance of listening to community voices in sustainability efforts
- The experience of volunteering in local parks
- Introducing people to local nature
- Recognizing and harnessing personal superpowers for positive change
- How to connect with Aryeh and Keep Columbus Beautiful's initiatives

About Aryeh Alex

Aryeh Alex is the Executive Director of Keep Columbus Beautiful and the Sustainability Manager for the City of Columbus, Ohio. In these roles, he leads the city's residential recycling, organic waste, waste reduction, community education, and volunteer litter programs. Aryeh also serves as the Sustainability Coordinator for the Division of Refuse Collection and is a Commissioner of the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks.

Connect with Aryeh Alex & Keep Columbus Beautiful

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

Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@keepcbusbeautiful

X/Twitter → https://x.com/kcbcolumbus

LinkedIN → https://www.linkedin.com/company/keep-columbus-beautiful

Send us a message!

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 communities. She also talks about the nuances of net metering policies and their impact on making solar more viable for homeowners. Additionally, Mryia addresses common concerns surrounding EVs, such as range anxiety, and provides valuable insights into navigating the transition to sustainable transportation.

Episode in a glance

- Solar for All and the $300+ million funding initiative
- Net Metering
- The Power of Community
- Conquering Range Anxiety
- Barriers to widespread solar and EV adoption

About Mryia Williams

Mryia Williams is the Ohio Program Associate for Solar United Neighbors (SUN), a national nonprofit that helps people go solar and fight for fair energy policies. Mryia is also the Executive Director for Drive Electric Columbus, a nonprofit organization that offers education and outreach about electric vehicles and EV infrastructure.

Connect with Mryia Williams and learn more about her sustainability work →

Solar United Neighbors (SUN)

https://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/

https://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/ohio/

https://www.facebook.com/solarunitedneighbors/

https://www.instagram.com/solarunitedneighbors

https://x.com/solarneighbors

https://www.youtube.com/@SolarUnitedNeighbors

Drive Electric Columbus

https://driveelectriccolumbus.com/

https://www.facebook.com/driveelectriccolumbus

https://www.instagram.com/driveevcbus/

https://x.com/DriveEVColumbus

Stay ahead of the curve on solar and EV news in Ohio!

Subscribe to the Solar United Neighbors Ohio newsletter at solarunitedneighbors.org/ohio and get plugged in with Drive Electric Columbus at driveelectriccolumbus.com.

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