Do Beautiful Things

In this episode of Do Beautiful Things, host Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, dives into an often-overlooked aspect of recycling: mattress recycling.

Joining us is Mike O'Donnell, Chief Operating Officer of the Mattress Recycling Council, who brings over 30 years of expertise in managing solid and hazardous waste collection programs. Mike gives a compelling look into the world of mattress recycling, highlighting the innovative programs in states like California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island that recycle nearly 2 million mattresses a year. We’ll also explore the significant environmental impact of these efforts, from reducing illegal dumping to rescuing half a billion pounds of materials from landfills.

You'll gain insights into the Bye Bye Mattress program, learn about the components of a mattress and where they go after recycling, and discover the future of mattress recycling as it seeks to expand into new states and develop new markets for recycled materials. Whether you’re a homeowner wondering what to do with your old mattress, or a sustainability advocate interested in the broader challenges and solutions in recycling, this episode offers valuable information and practical tips.

Join us in transforming recycling anxiety into action and help make a sustainable future possible.

Show Links:

Bye Bye Mattress: byebyemattress.com

Mattress Recycling Council: mattressrecyclingcouncil.org

Keep America Beautiful: kab.org

Greatest American Cleanup: kab.org/greatest

Show Notes:

00:00 Mattress recycling mandated by laws in 2013.

04:25 Return old mattress to retailer for recycling.

09:21 Mattress recycling involves manual and automated methods.

10:00 Material: 20% carpet padding, 50% steel recycling.

13:13 Understanding resource impact, smarter reuse, developing recycling markets.

18:59 Learn how and where to recycle mattresses.

20:08 Visit kab.org for more information.

In this episode of "Do Beautiful Things," host Jennifer Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, dives into the critical role of recycling in sustainable living and explores the intricacies of the recycling process.

Our special guest, Jeff Snyder, Senior Vice President of Recycling and Sustainability at Rumpke Waste and Recycling, brings over 30 years of industry expertise to the table. Together, they delve into the exceptional capabilities of Rumpke's state-of-the-art Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Columbus, Ohio, highlighting the sophisticated technologies and methods used to sort and recycle materials efficiently.

Jeff sheds light on the common challenges faced in the recycling industry and emphasizes the importance of clean and well-sorted materials to create new products. With a focus on improving recycling rates and debunking myths, the conversation provides essential insights into the future of recycling, including the promising role of AI technology.

Listeners will learn about industry demands for recycled resin from major companies, and the need for transparency to build trust in recycling processes. Tune in to discover how your participation and mindful recycling habits can make a significant impact.

Join us in our mission to make our communities cleaner, greener, and more beautiful.

Show Notes:

00:00 Exploring recycling process at Rumpke's Columbus MRF.

06:05 Only 30% consumer plastics are actually recycled.

08:28 Lack of trust, care, and high costs deter.

12:40 Adopt ABCs for recycling: simple and effective.

15:29 Demand for post-consumer resin packaging increasing.

18:17 Initial step: Size material, remove glass.

20:50 Ballistic separators sort paper and containers.

25:48 Promoting recycling transparency builds trust and participation.

28:56 Recycling leads to a healthier, sustainable future.

In this episode of Do Beautiful Things, Jenny Lawson is joined by Kathleen Gibi of Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful and Michael McCall from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Together, they discuss the power of collaboration in building sustainable, healthy communities, the importance of preserving America’s river systems, and their commitment to the Greatest American Cleanup—the largest cleanup and beautification effort in history. Tune in to learn how collaboration and volunteer engagement are making a meaningful impact on our environment and communities.

QUOTES:

• Creating Sustainable Impact through Partnerships: "We should be following a model where we can engage others and partner with others to do this, because I think that is the only real way that you can actually get sustainable impact is if you get other people involved through partnerships to get out and do action." - Michael McCall, VP of Environment and Sustainability, and Chief Sustainability Officer at the Tennessee Valley Authority
• The Importance of River Cleanup: "80% of the plastic in our oceans is said to come from rivers. Cleaning up the ocean in a lot of ways without cleaning up the rivers is much like...cleaning up blood on the floor without stopping the bleeding on the patient on the table. So that's why the work we get to do with our partners and volunteers is so crucial." - Kathleen Gibi, Executive Director of Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful

Show Notes:

00:00 Greatest American Cleanup beautifying 25,000 communities.

06:13 TVA: Unique regional energy-water economic integration.

08:52 TVA supports Tennessee River cleanup since 2018.

13:02 Engage others through partnerships for sustainable impact.

13:56 Campaign fosters pride, action, and shared values.

19:44 Consistent focus needed to preserve Tennessee River.

22:31 TVA concerned about storm, river system effective.

24:07 Clearing red tape for quicker community recovery.

27:38 Local affiliates tirelessly support community environmental efforts.

30:53 Get involved with kab.org and support.

Show Links:

• Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful: https://www.keeptnriverbeautiful.org/
• Tennessee Valley Authority: https://www.tva.com/
• Keep America Beautiful: https://kab.org/
• Greatest America Cleanup: https://kab.org/greatest-american-cleanup/

In this episode of Do Beautiful Things, host Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful welcomes Dr. Aruni Bhatnagar from the University of Louisville to discuss the powerful connection between urban trees and human health. Together, they explore the groundbreaking Green Heart Louisville Project, a study that examines how increasing urban greenery can positively impact cardiovascular health, particularly in communities heavily burdened by pollution.

Dr. Bhatnagar shares the study's promising initial findings, highlighting how planting trees can reduce inflammation markers and decrease the risk of heart disease in underserved areas. The discussion delves into the meticulous setup of the research and the exciting implications for urban planning and public health.

Whether you're an urban planner, a member of a local community group, or someone looking to make a difference in your own backyard, this episode is filled with valuable information.

Show Notes:

00:00 Investigated heart disease causes, prevention, and global rise.

03:28 Studied pollutants' impact on heart disease risks.

08:03 Experimenting with trees for health in neighborhoods with high levels of pollution.

11:10 Planting trees decreased residents' inflammation and air pollution levels.

14:27 Plant female trees to reduce pollen and the resulting allergies and asthma.

19:27 Ground cover enhances biodiversity, possibly boosting immune resilience.

23:12 Join cleanup: 250 items for America’s 250th.

24:18 Take care, stay informed, see you soon.

Welcome back to "Do Beautiful Things," a podcast by Keep America Beautiful dedicated to inspiring action for a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable world.

In this episode, we are joined by Lauren Riley, Chief Sustainability Officer at United Airlines, to discuss their innovative approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the significance of sustainable aviation fuels, and how they're engaging consumers through unique and effective communication strategies—like partnering with Sesame Workshop's Oscar the Grouch. We also explore the vital role consumers play in advocating for sustainable practices and policies.

Tune in to learn how corporate leaders and everyday people are making significant strides in sustainability and how you can be a part of the movement. Plus, get the inside scoop on Keep America Beautiful's upcoming Power of Beauty celebration and how you can get involved in the Greatest American Cleanup.

Thank you for joining us on this journey to do beautiful things together!

Show Notes:

00:00 Lauren Riley discusses United Airlines' sustainability award.

05:33 Sesame Workshop made complex climate change digestible.

08:15 Consumer role in sustainable travel and behavior change.

09:40 United passengers can invest in sustainable aviation fuels.

13:37 Proud of generational change towards sustainability leadership.

16:38 See you in the next episode.

Welcome to another episode of Do Beautiful Things™️! Today, host Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful®, is joined by a special guest who’s making waves in the world of fashion and sustainability. Meet Kate Sanner, the CEO and co-founder of Beni, a browser extension that makes finding secondhand designer deals super easy from your own home.

Kate got hooked on secondhand fashion while living in New York City, surrounded by some of the coolest thrift stores. She was inspired to create Beni to help tackle the massive problem of textile waste—think millions of tons of clothing ending up in landfills every year.

In this episode, Kate shares some amazing insights and practical tips for anyone looking to make more sustainable fashion choices. Whether you’re a thrifting pro or just getting started with resale.

So, get ready to dive into an inspiring chat about how we can all make a positive impact on the planet. Let’s take some simple steps to reduce textile waste and keep doing beautiful things together!

“We have to make the sustainable option the easy, convenient, acceptable one if we want the mainstream audience to participate in it.”— Kate Sanner

Show Notes:

00:00 Grateful for conversation, loves secondhand clothing.

04:47 Fashion and resale industry face supply-demand issue.

06:58 Brands embracing resale to benefit fashion industry.

10:17 Simplifying shopping sustainability with Benny browser extension.

13:05 Fashion industry reframing clothes as valuable assets.

Beni: https://www.joinbeni.com/

America Recycles Day®: america-recycles-day

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the powerful and transformative work happening in Indianapolis. Our focus? How creating beautiful spaces can do more than just improve aesthetics—they can also reduce crime, foster community unity, and create safer neighborhoods. Joining us is Jeremy Kranowitz, President and CEO of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. Jeremy shares his inspiring journey from battling exercise-induced asthma as a child to leading impactful environmental initiatives in Indianapolis. We’ll explore groundbreaking research with the University of Michigan showing a 12% reduction in gun violence thanks to greening efforts and discuss strategies for community engagement and collaboration. We’ll also touch on the challenges and successes experienced along the way. Stay tuned as we uncover the story behind these beautiful transformations and the vision driving Jeremy’s leadership. Get ready to be inspired and informed!

“When Keep Indianapolis Beautiful goes in and makes one of these vacant lots into a green space, there is a statistically significant 12% reduction in gun violence in particular. And that positive impact can be felt within a half-mile radius of the location of the green space.”— Jeremy Kranowitz, President and CEO of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc.

Show Notes:

00:00 Transformed polluted water-inspired environmental career and leadership.

05:33 Community engagement through greening efforts and research.

08:41 Green spaces reduce gun violence by 12%.

13:33 Training kids for home invasion, now transforming.

16:00 “Collaborative efforts improving Indianapolis through community partnership.”

20:06 Building trust for green infrastructure in neighborhoods.

22:38 Indianapolis initiative sees reduced service calls in neighborhoods.

24:52 Partnership, persistence, impact in vulnerable neighborhoods.

28:15 Stay informed and keep doing beautiful things.

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful: https://www.kibi.org

Gun Violence Reduction Study Analysis: https://www.kibi.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/KIB-GreenSpace-Gun-Violence-Reduction-Study.pdf

Great American Cleanup®: https://kab.org/our-signature-programs/great-american-cleanup/

Register for the #152PickUpChallenge: https://kab.tfaforms.net/f/152IndividualReg

In this episode, Jenny talks with Keefe Harrison, CEO of The Recycling Partnership about their latest research and insights on residential recycling in the United States. Join us as we navigate the complexities of recycling, consider the roles of individuals, companies, and policymakers, and envision a sustainable and efficient future of waste management. Prepare to be informed and empowered to contribute to a greener tomorrow!

"We want to build some consistency for what's recyclable where across the country so that it doesn't have to be a guessing game of what happens at the bin."— Keefe Harrison, CEO of The Recycling Partnership

Show Notes:

00:00 Jenny Lawson introduces CEO Keith Harrison for a recycling discussion.

05:19 Companies must ensure recycling effectiveness with nonprofit help.

07:20 City picks up and sorts your recycling.

11:12 Promoting consistent recycling practices for a better world.

15:43 Encouraging individuals to use their voice for recycling.

17:02 EPR promotes business involvement in recycling efforts.

22:05 Recycling CEO seeks partnership to clean up.

The Recycling Partnership: https://recyclingpartnership.org/

Great American Cleanup®: https://kab.org/our-signature-programs/great-american-cleanup/

Register for the #152PickUpChallenge: https://kab.tfaforms.net/f/152IndividualReg

In this episode, we’re excited to bring you a special guest, Emin Israfil, CEO and co-founder of Rubbish, as we explore the innovative intersection of technology and environmental cleanup. We’ll hear Emin’s riveting journey from a childhood love of programming to founding a platform that champions cleaner neighborhoods. Discover how Rubbish’s cutting-edge app and AI technology are revolutionizing the way we tackle litter and illegal dumping, making community clean-up efforts both fun and efficient. Learn how you too can get involved in tracking and improving the cleanliness of your local environment with just a simple tap on your phone. Join us as we dive into the world of tech-enabled environmental change and see how we can all contribute to making our surroundings rubbish-free. Stay tuned for an enlightening conversation that just might inspire you to take part in the Great American Cleanup and help turn the tide against the staggering 50 billion pieces of litter in our country. Let’s commit to doing beautiful things together. Now, let’s get started.

Show Notes:

00:00 Come together, clean up, and beautify communities.

03:37 Larson (the dog) choked on a chicken bone, inspiring community initiative.

08:45 Recycling AI app assists with disposal.

12:24 AI speeds up litter surveys with photo IDs.

15:54 The app simplifies setup and map creation, including video capabilities and automatic notifications for illegal dumping.

19:25 Join the great American Cleanup to make a difference.

RUBBISH: https://www.rubbish.love/

Great American Cleanup®: https://kab.org/our-signature-programs/great-american-cleanup/

Register for the #152PickUpChallenge: https://kab.tfaforms.net/f/152IndividualReg

Welcome to "Do Beautiful Things"! In this episode, we have a powerful conversation with Oakland's deputy mayor, Dr. Kimberly Mayfield. Dr. Mayfield shares her insights on the challenges Oakland is facing and the initiatives aimed at making the community cleaner, greener, and more beautiful. From tree planting programs to community cleanups, Dr. Mayfield's work demonstrates the positive impact of maintaining a clean and vibrant environment. Join us as we explore the inspiring efforts to improve Oakland and learn how you can get involved in similar initiatives in your own community. Stay tuned for an insightful and inspirational conversation that will leave you motivated to contribute to the beauty and sustainability of your surroundings.