Waste World

On this episode of the Waste World Podcast, Gage Edwards chats with Dr. Brenna Ellison, director of the Center for Food Conservation and Waste Reduction, about what research can tell us about why food waste happens at home and how families can make meaningful changes. Ellison discussed some of the behaviors and decisions that contribute to wasted food, from shopping and meal planning to food storage and managing leftovers, while also sharing practical strategies consumers can use to conserve more of the food they buy.

The podcast also explores the Center's Food Conservation Challenge, which invites consumers to share their own ideas and hacks for reducing food waste, as well as the upcoming Food Waste Prevention Week. Ellison explained how consumer research, education and participation can help shape more effective food waste solutions and offered insight into the actions families can take to waste less while getting more value from the food already in their kitchens.

Be sure to follow and subscribe to the Waste World podcast on Spotify and other podcast services. Also, watch the video version of the Waste World podcast on WasteExpo’s YouTube page.

On this episode of the Waste World podcast, Waste360's Gage Edwards talks with Hassan Murad, CEO and Co-Founder of Intuitive AI, a 2026 Waste360 Top 40 Under 40 honoree, and recipient of the Waste360 Innovator Award. Murad discusses his journey into the waste and recycling industry, the development of Oscar Sort, Intuitive AI's AI-powered recycling assistant, and how technology can improve disposal decisions, reduce contamination, and make recycling more intuitive.

Murad's innovations use computer vision and real-time guidance to help people determine where their waste belongs. With Oscar Sort now deployed across universities, airports, stadiums, tourist attractions, and commercial spaces, Murad discusses what the technology has revealed about the way people interact with recycling systems and where AI could create new opportunities for the waste and recycling industry.

Be sure to follow and subscribe to the Waste World podcast on Spotify and other podcast services. Also, watch the video version of the Waste World podcast on WasteExpo’s YouTube page.

Acquisitions have become a powerful growth tool across the waste industry, but a deal is about far more than adding another company to a portfolio. Behind every transaction are questions about strategy, integration, employees, customers, and what the combined organization can accomplish that the two companies could not do separately.

On this episode of the Waste World podcast, HP Nanda, CEO of Arcwood Environmental, chats with Gage Edwards on the business of acquisitions. With Arcwood having completed six acquisitions in less than two years, Nanda shares his perspective on what drives those decisions, how companies can create long-term value after a deal closes, and what continued M&A activity could mean for the future of the waste and environmental services industry.

Read about Arcwood’s latest acquisition announced last week, acquiring Environmental Management Services, Inc.

Be sure to follow and subscribe to the Waste World podcast on Spotify and other podcast services. Also, watch the video version of the Waste World podcast on WasteExpo’s YouTube page.

 In this episode of the Waste World podcast, Gage Edwards chats with Cameron Douglas, Lead Product Manager at AMP and a 2026 Waste360 40 Under 40 award winner. Douglas discusses his career journey, AMP's role in advancing large-scale recycling infrastructure projects, the evolving relationship between technology and recycling operations, and why collaboration between technology providers, municipalities, and facility operators will be essential to the future of the industry. 

Be sure to follow and subscribe to the Waste World podcast on Spotify and other podcast services. Also, watch the video version of the Waste World podcast on WasteExpo’s YouTube page.

Our latest Waste World podcast spotlights Carolina Lobel, director of reuse at Closed Loop Partners' Center for the Circular Economy and one of our 2026 Waste360 40 Under 40 honorees.

Carolina shares why she believes the circular economy is reaching an inflection point. We talk about her journey from consumer goods to helping launch Loop at TerraCycle, and how she's leading reuse initiatives today. Along the way, we explore consumer behavior, innovation, collaboration, and why playing the long game has been one of the biggest lessons of her career.

Listen now to hear why her optimism and bias toward action are helping move the industry forward. And what her years of competitive tennis have taught her about leadership, resilience, and sustainability. Enjoy!

Be sure to follow and subscribe to the Waste World podcast on Spotify and other podcast services. Also, watch the video version of the Waste World podcast on WasteExpo’s YouTube page.

In this episode of the Waste World Podcast, Gage Edwards chats with Victoria Taylor, CEO of Probe Industries, about why odor management is becoming an increasingly important priority for waste and recycling operations. Taylor discussed how persistent odors can affect more than just neighboring communities, explaining that air quality also plays a role in employee well-being, operational performance, and regulatory compliance as facilities face growing expectations from both regulators and the public.

Taylor also explores the science behind odor neutralization and how new technologies are helping facilities improve air quality while strengthening community relationships. She also shared insights into Probe Industries' latest innovations, including the use of neuroscience-informed fragrance design to create healthier working environments.

Be sure to follow and subscribe to the Waste World podcast on Spotify and other podcast services. Also, watch the video version of the Waste World podcast on WasteExpo’s YouTube page.

In this episode of the Waste World Podcast, Gage Edwards chats with Kevin Kelly, CEO of Emerald Packaging, about the rollout of California's SB 54 and the challenges businesses are encountering as the state's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program moves from legislation to implementation. 

Kelly discussed the law's intent to reduce packaging waste while shifting responsibility to producers, but explained how complex reporting requirements, evolving regulations, and communication challenges are creating confusion for businesses trying to comply. He also shared his perspective on how SB 54 is affecting small businesses and agricultural producers, many of whom lack the resources to manage increasingly detailed compliance and reporting obligations. 

Be sure to follow and subscribe to the Waste World podcast on Spotify and other podcast services. Also, watch the video version of the Waste World podcast on WasteExpo’s YouTube page.

In this episode of the Waste World Podcast, Gage Edwards sits down with Todd Ellis, Vice President of Services and Solutions at The Battery Network, to discuss one of the fastest-growing challenges facing the waste and recycling industry: battery collection and recycling. Ellis explains why consumers often struggle to understand where batteries should be disposed of and how that confusion contributes to contamination, safety concerns, and fires throughout the waste stream.

During the episode, Ellis highlights what successful battery collection programs look like, and the role municipalities, retailers and industry partners can play in creating safer and more accessible disposal options. He also discussed the growing impact of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs and how they could help improve battery collection infrastructure, increase consumer awareness and reduce risks for waste and recycling operators.

Be sure to follow and subscribe to the Waste World podcast on Spotify and other podcast services. Also, watch the video version of the Waste World podcast on WasteExpo’s YouTube page.

In this episode of the Waste World Podcast, Gage Edwards recaps his experience attending the Waste Leadership Summit and highlights some of the biggest conversations shaping the waste and recycling industry. From interviews, panel discussions, and other events at the show, he explores recurring themes that surfaced throughout the summit, including artificial intelligence, safety culture, PFAS management, and the growing challenge of lithium-ion battery fires. 

During the episode, Gage shares key takeaways from conversations with industry leaders such as AMCS CEO Eric Walsh and Reworld's Paul Ligon, along with insights from several sessions focused on operational excellence, emerging technologies, and environmental challenges.

Be sure to follow and subscribe to the Waste World podcast on Spotify and other podcast services. Also, watch the video version of the Waste World podcast on WasteExpo’s YouTube page.

In this episode of the Waste World Podcast, Gage Edwards sits down with Dave Riordan, chief customer officer at Lytx, and Ryan Brandos, senior director of strategic accounts, to discuss how AI, video analytics and connected technologies are reshaping fleet operations in the waste industry.

Riordan and Brandos discuss emerging uses for AI-powered video systems, including service verification, contamination monitoring, pedestrian detection and 360-degree visibility around collection vehicles. They also examine the growing industry trend toward consolidating multiple technologies into unified platforms that simplify operations, reduce in-cab complexity, and provide a more complete picture of fleet performance.

Be sure to follow and subscribe to the Waste World podcast on Spotify and other podcast services. Also, watch the video version of the Waste World podcast on WasteExpo’s YouTube page.