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 visually stunning pieces that tell a story of sustainability. Marble Plastics prioritizes local sourcing and collaborates with recyclers to minimize their environmental impact. By championing hyper-local recycling, they are contributing to a more circular economy where materials are reused and waste is reduced. Joseph envisions a future where bioplastics play a crucial role in replacing single-use plastics. He also emphasizes the need for government intervention to make sustainable materials more accessible and affordable. With a growing demand from businesses seeking eco-friendly products, Marble Plastics is leading the way in demonstrating how style and sustainability can go hand in hand.

Episode in a glance

- Marble Plastics' Unique Process for Creating Recycled Plastic Sheets
- Why Furniture is the Most Exciting Product for Marble Plastics
- The Story Behind the Name Marble Plastics
- The Plastic Used by Marble Plastics, Including Bread Tags and 3D Printer Waste
- The Concept of Hyper-Local Recycling and Its Importance for Sustainability
- The Biggest Changes Needed to Address the Plastic Problem
- The Excitement and Demand from Businesses for Recycled Plastic Products
- How to Support Marble Plastics

About Joseph Klatt

Joseph Klatt is the founder of Marble Plastics, a company pioneering the creation of beautiful, durable products from 100% recycled plastic sheets. His passion for sustainability was ignited by a college job collecting recycling by bicycle, which led him to study environmental management. After developing a business-to-business recycling platform at the Ohio EPA, Joseph joined the open-source Precious Plastics community in the Netherlands, where he gained expertise in small-scale plastic recycling and fostering mission-driven movements. He then transitioned to Portugal, training communities worldwide to implement Precious Plastics' recycling technology. Driven by a desire to revolutionize plastic recycling and promote circularity, Joseph founded Marble Plastics to transform plastic waste into stunning furniture, countertops, and wall coverings, diverting materials from landfills while creating beautiful, eco-friendly products.

Connect with Joseph Klatt, Precious Plastic, and Marble Plastics

Precious Plastic → https://www.preciousplastic.com/

Marble Plastics → https://marbleplastics.com/

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

LinkedIN → https://www.linkedin.com/company/marble-plastics

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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 the Ohio EPA, where he developed an innovative business-to-business recycling platform, to the Netherlands, where he joined the open-source Precious Plastic community. There, he gained invaluable insights into small-scale plastic recycling and fostering a grassroots movement. His journey continued in Portugal, training communities worldwide to implement Precious Plastics' recycling technology. Driven by a desire to tackle the plastic crisis head-on, Joseph founded Marble Plastics, creating beautiful, durable goods from 100% recycled plastic sheets. Discover how this green champion transformed his passion into a mission to revolutionize plastic recycling.

Episode in a glance

- The plastic waste issue and its impact on the environment
- Joseph's journey into plastics
- Connecting businesses for waste recycling and reuse
- The path to developing community at Precious Plastic
- How different polymers and their impact on recycling
- Marble Plastics and their sustainability work

About Joseph Klatt

Joseph Klatt is the founder of Marble Plastics, a company pioneering the creation of beautiful, durable products from 100% recycled plastic sheets. His passion for sustainability was ignited by a college job collecting recycling by bicycle, which led him to study environmental management. After developing a business-to-business recycling platform at the Ohio EPA, Joseph joined the open-source Precious Plastics community in the Netherlands, where he gained expertise in small-scale plastic recycling and fostering mission-driven movements. He then transitioned to Portugal, training communities worldwide to implement Precious Plastics' recycling technology. Driven by a desire to revolutionize plastic recycling and promote circularity, Joseph founded Marble Plastics to transform plastic waste into stunning furniture, countertops, and wall coverings, diverting materials from landfills while creating beautiful, eco-friendly products.

Connect with Joseph Klatt, Precious Plastic, and Marble Plastics

Precious Plastic → https://www.preciousplastic.com/

Marble Plastics → https://marbleplastics.com/

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

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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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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 passion for sustainable living. Mryia also sheds light on the work of Solar United Neighbors (SUN), a national nonprofit that simplifies the solar adoption process, and Drive Electric Columbus, a volunteer-led organization dedicated to educating and promoting EVs.

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.

Send us a message!

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 experience through attention to detail and responsiveness, Ray's innovative approach to composting captured the hearts of over 3,500 members. As he transitions to his next venture, Purely American Organics, Ray's vision is to establish a local processing facility that fosters a sense of community ownership and pride in sustainable living.

Episode in a glance

• The importance of pilot programs in expanding the Compost Exchange
• The difference between residential and commercial composting
• Challenges in finding processing facilities for collected food waste
• Assessing the replicability of Ray's composting success elsewhere
• Ray's customer-centric philosophy: "It's a relationship business"
• How customers shaped the Compost Exchange business
• The remarkably low contamination rates of collected food waste
• The power of small details: Perfectly aligned compost bins
• Bringing local, community-focused processing to Columbus

About Ray Leard

Ray Leard is a sustainability pioneer and the driving force behind the Compost Exchange, the first and largest service provider of residential curbside food scrap recycling and composting in Central Ohio. Over the years, he has diverted over 500 tons of food waste from landfills annually, transforming the way an entire community of over 3 million people approaches food waste. Ray has since sold the Compost Exchange and launched a new organization called Purely American Organics, continuing his mission to empower communities to embrace sustainable practices.

You can connect with Ray and learn more about his work at purelyamericanorganics.com

Resources

Greenacres Compost → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL55voWdgbw

Composting At A Food Bank - Dayton, Ohio → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mYpjw-wDco

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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 expanded to Columbus in 2016, recruiting over 3,500 members to the Compost Exchange through a strategic farmer's market approach and educational outreach. His innovative mindset and unwavering commitment resulted in a staggering impact – diverting over 500 tons of food waste from landfills annually.

Episode in a glance

• Introduction to Ray Leard and the Compost Exchange
• How Ray's composting journey began in Athens, Ohio
• The pivotal moment that led to the birth of the Compost Exchange
• Expanding the Compost Exchange to Columbus and the farmer's market approach
• The importance of building relationships in the composting business
• Ray's philosophy on teaching and empowering others
• Compost 101: Debunking misconceptions and making it accessible
• The power of composting: "I can change the world"
• The staggering impact of the Compost Exchange

About Ray Leard

Ray Leard is a sustainability pioneer and the driving force behind the Compost Exchange, the first and largest service provider of residential curbside food scrap recycling and composting in Central Ohio. Over the years, he has diverted over 500 tons of food waste from landfills annually, transforming the way an entire community of over 3 million people approaches food waste. Ray has since sold the Compost Exchange and launched a new organization called Purely American Organics, continuing his mission to empower communities to embrace sustainable practices.

You can connect with Ray and learn more about his work at purelyamericanorganics.com

Send us a message!