Waste World

Charlotte Water is taking innovation to the next level with QC Water. In partnership with Lenny Boy Brewing Co., Town Brewing Co., and Xylem, the utility has helped to create two groundbreaking beverages brewed with highly purified recycled water: Crown Bucha, a crisp kombucha with bright raspberry, lemon, and ginger notes, and Renew Brew Fall Classic Märzen Lager, a malty seasonal beer. Both drinks highlight how science, sustainability, and creativity can work together to change perceptions about the reuse of water.

On this episode of the Waste World Podcast, I sat down with Muriel Steele of Charlotte Water, Brandon Stirewalt of Town Brewing Co., and Townes Mozer of Lenny Boy Brewing Co. to dive into the story behind QC Water. Together, we discussed how advanced purification technology from Xylem transforms treated effluent into water that exceeds Safe Drinking Water Act standards, and how Charlotte’s brewing community is utilizing it to spark a broader conversation about sustainability, innovation, and public trust.

Our discussion also touched on community response, the role of local partnerships in moving bold ideas forward, and why projects like QC Water matter not only for Charlotte but as examples for communities around the world. From kombucha to Märzen lager, this episode shows how collaboration can turn a complex issue into something people can literally raise a glass to.

On this episode of The Waste World Podcast, Gage Edwards is joined by Katherine Huded, Executive Director of Material Systems at The Recycling Partnership, to discuss one of the toughest challenges in recycling today: film and flexible packaging.

The podcast covers the Partnership’s recent $4.25 million grant to FCC Environmental Services’ MRF in Houston, the largest single grant the organization has awarded to date. This investment will fund equipment upgrades, including optical sorters, to capture more film and flexible packaging, reduce contamination, and produce higher-quality bales for end markets. The project is designed not just to improve recycling in Houston, but also to generate critical learnings for scaling FFP recycling across the country.

Katherine also explains the CalFFlex initiative, a blueprint for residential film and flexible recycling being developed in response to California’s new regulations. With EPR policies now in effect in multiple states, the Partnership is leveraging years of pilot projects and data to help inform program plans and ensure compliance pathways are achievable.

The episode also covers how stronger resident education, better system design, and improved processing capacity are all necessary to increase participation and capture more materials. Huded outlines the five key elements of a strong recycling system: product design, access, participation, processing, and viable end markets. She also emphasizes the importance of balancing supply and demand, ensuring that as more materials are collected, there are sustainable markets ready to put them back into circulation as new products.

To learn more about The Recycling Partnership’s initiatives, visit recyclingpartnership.org. And don’t forget to subscribe to The Waste World Podcast for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of recycling, waste, and sustainability.

The healthcare industry is undergoing rapid change, and with it comes new challenges in how medical waste is managed, regulated, and communicated to the public. On the latest episode of the Waste World Podcast, Gage Edwards sat down with Cara Simaga, Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs at Stericycle, to explore the evolving landscape of medical waste and the critical role regulations play in keeping communities safe.

Cara has been with Stericycle since 2009, moving from hands-on compliance work to leading regulatory affairs. She shared how her career began in hazardous waste management and how that early experience gave her a deep appreciation for the people and processes behind proper disposal.

One of the major shifts she discussed is the move from hospital-centered care to more home-based care, which has pushed medical waste into new and sometimes unexpected places—like tattoo parlors, offices, and even homes. This expansion raises tough questions about safe disposal of sharps, pharmaceuticals, and other materials outside of traditional healthcare settings.

From lithium-ion batteries in medical devices to growing community concerns around hazardous waste, Cara emphasized that industry leaders must advocate for themselves while working with regulators to educate the public and dispel misconceptions.

To hear more from Cara on compliance, innovation, and the future of medical waste management, listen to the full episode of the Waste World Podcast. And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show so others in the industry can join the conversation.

On this episode of The Waste World Podcast, Gage Edwards speaks with Nick Trout, Senior Development Executive at Sourcewell, about how cooperative purchasing contracts are helping public agencies simplify procurement and save both time and money.

For many municipalities, schools, and nonprofits, the procurement process can be slow, complicated, and expensive. Drafting bid specs, advertising, reviewing proposals, and addressing challenges can take months before equipment is ever delivered. Nick explains how Sourcewell provides a more efficient path. By offering competitively solicited contracts that already satisfy public bid requirements, Sourcewell allows agencies to purchase equipment and services directly—without running their own lengthy RFP processes.

This approach not only saves time, but also reduces administrative costs and often secures better pricing. For agencies tasked with acquiring waste collection trucks, recycling equipment, containers, or new technology platforms, the ability to buy through Sourcewell means operations can move forward much more quickly and with greater certainty.

The benefits extend to suppliers as well. Having a Sourcewell contract gives companies access to thousands of pre-qualified buyers, shortening sales cycles and making it easier to expand into new markets. Suppliers are able to offer their full catalogs under these contracts, ensuring agencies can find the right solutions for their specific needs—whether that’s heavy equipment for transfer stations, automation technology for fleets, or specialized containers for recycling programs.

The conversation also explores how cooperative purchasing is evolving. While adoption has grown significantly in recent years, it still represents a small portion of overall public sector procurement, leaving plenty of room for expansion. As public agencies face tighter budgets and higher expectations for efficiency, Nick sees cooperative purchasing becoming even more central to how government and nonprofit organizations get the resources they need.

Ultimately, Sourcewell’s role is about creating connections. By bridging the gap between agencies and suppliers, they help ensure communities have the tools and technology necessary to deliver essential services effectively and sustainably.

On this episode of The Waste World Podcast, Gage Edwards speaks with Ryan Fogelman, JD/MBA, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Fire Rover, about one of the industry’s most pressing issues: facility fires.

Ryan has been tracking fire incidents across the U.S. and Canada since 2016, publishing monthly and annual reports that have become a benchmark for understanding fire risks in the waste and recycling sector. In July’s update, he highlighted that while reported incidents dipped slightly in June, the overall trend in 2025 shows more fires than ever before, and Fire Rover has already suppressed more fires this year than in any previous year.

The discussion explores the root causes of these incidents, including the growing presence of lithium-ion batteries and problematic waste streams like vapes. Ryan emphasizes that traditional firefighting approaches often aren’t designed for industrial-scale blazes in recycling and waste facilities, leaving operators vulnerable. He notes that many fire departments move into containment mode rather than direct suppression, which can take facilities offline for months or even years.

Proactive strategies are key, and Ryan outlines several layers of protection: fire detection technology like Fire Rover, adequate water supply and foam systems, site-specific training, and stronger collaboration with local fire departments. The conversation underscores that prevention isn’t optional; it’s essential to protect employees, facilities, and firefighters themselves.

Ryan also speaks to cultural and operational shifts needed across the industry, reminding operators that depending solely on municipal fire response is no longer enough. Facilities must invest in their own mitigation systems and training to stay ahead of the risk.

To learn more about Fire Rover and access Ryan’s monthly fire incident reports, visit firerover.com. And don’t forget to subscribe to The Waste World Podcast for more conversations with leaders addressing the most urgent challenges in waste, recycling, and sustainability.

In this episode of The Waste World Podcast, Gage Edwards sits down with Peter Goldwasser, Executive Director of Together for Safer Roads (TSR), to discuss how public and private sectors can work together to improve road safety. 

TSR’s mission centers on achieving Vision Zero, the elimination of traffic fatalities and severe injuries, by fostering collaboration between fleets, technology companies, governments, and community stakeholders worldwide.

The conversation covers TSR’s broad approach to fleet safety management, which includes strategies to reduce blind spots on large trucks, the use of in-cab camera systems, and technology that helps drivers operate more safely in dense urban environments. Goldwasser also shares details on TSR’s Truck of the Future pilot program in New York City, which integrates side guards, cameras, telematics, and other safety technologies to reduce collisions.

TSR’s initiatives extend beyond the U.S., with a notable project in Nigeria. The organization works closely with local governments and community partners to adapt safety solutions to each city’s unique needs.

A recurring theme in the discussion is the importance of culture change, ensuring that drivers, policymakers, and the public view safety as a shared responsibility. TSR combines hardware solutions with training, public education, and policy advocacy to create lasting improvements in road safety.

In this episode of The Waste World Podcast, Gage Edwards sat down with Emily Friedman, senior editor at ICIS, to unpack how new policy and tariffs could reshape the plastics and recycling landscape.

Friedman explained how even early rumors of legislation like The One Big Beautiful Bill and other policy shifts can impact behavior in the recycled plastics space. Particularly among producers and brands trying to balance cost, regulation, and ESG commitments.

As a leading market analyst, Friedman outlined the challenges facing the recycled plastics sector, including unpredictable demand, reduced collection volumes, and low pricing for post-consumer resin (PCR). While the market can seem pretty uncertain with changes happening rapidly, Friedman remains cautiously optimistic about the market.

The conversation also touched on chemical recycling, international trends, and why many companies are quietly pausing their public sustainability goals.

The episode offers a grounded look at how political uncertainty is influencing a fragile but vital industry—and what stakeholders should be watching next.

Stream the full episode on your favorite platform and follow Emily’s reporting at icis.com.

Be sure to subscribe to the Waste World podcast on Spotify and other podcast services.

New video episodes of the podcast can be found on the WasteExpo YouTube channel.

In a joyful and deeply personal episode of The Waste World Podcast, designer Daniel Silverstein, founder of Zero Waste Daniel, joined the show to talk about his brand’s latest project, a collaboration with The Golden Girls, celebrating the show’s 40th anniversary.

The 25-piece capsule collection includes standout pieces like a St. Olaf varsity jacket, handmade mosaic portraits of the Girls, and graphic tees declaring “I’m a Blanche” or “I’m a Sophia.” All of it is made using Zero Waste Daniel’s signature approach: zero-waste design with 100% reclaimed materials.

To celebrate the collection’s launch, the Zero Waste Daniel flagship store in Brooklyn has been transformed into a fully immersive Golden Girls fantasy through August 17. The redesign features pastel interiors, themed vintage decor, curated thrift items, and nostalgic installations fans will recognize instantly. Plus, some fun easter eggs for superfans to enjoy.

This collaboration marks a milestone for Silverstein, who’s known for his unique blend of sustainability, storytelling, and bold fashion.

The Golden Girls x Zero Waste Daniel collection is available now through August 17, both in-store and online at zerowastedaniel.com.

Be sure to subscribe to the Waste World podcast on Spotify and other podcast services.

New video episodes of the podcast can be found on the WasteExpo YouTube channel.

This week’s podcast features a live panel discussion from WasteExpo 2025. This panel brings together four of Waste360’s 2025 40 Under 40 award winners for an honest, inspiring conversation about leadership in the waste and recycling industry.

This session was moderated by Gage Edwards, content producer and host of the Waste World podcast. Joining him on stage, to a packed room of WasteExpo attendees, were Natalie Lessa, Co-founder of Recreate, Joy Rifkin, Director of Sustainability at LRS, Stephanie Sidler, Senior Director of Municipal Services at GFL, and Bret Stevens, Senior Director at Reworld (formerly Covanta)

These leaders discuss what it means to build trust with customers, support internal teams, and scale with intention. They touch on challenges like imposter syndrome, burnout, and navigating change, while offering real strategies for succession planning, transparency, and empowering others.

Recycling contamination isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s one of the biggest operational and financial hurdles for cities, campuses, and businesses. In this episode of Waste World, host Gage Edwards is joined by Nik Balachandran, CEO and founder of Zabble. Zabble utilizes mobile AI tools and real-time data to address contamination from the bin to the truck.

Nik shares how his unique background in machine learning, digital health, and environmental engineering led him to the world of waste—and how a pile of trash in the San Francisco Bay became the spark that launched Zabble.

Zabble helps organizations like campus-based generators, haulers, and municipalities reduce recycling contamination and improve diversion rates through its Zabble Zero platform with products Mobile Tagging and Invoice Analytics. The Mobile Tagging product uses computer vision AI to identify contamination at the point of disposal, even without internet access, from a mobile app and engages stakeholders with real-time notifications and automated mailers. Invoice Analytics aggregates hauler invoices and reports using AI to extract granular insights and makes recommendations on rightsizing and flags billing inconsistencies.

One of Zabble’s most impressive recent partnerships was with the City of San Jose, which launched a contamination monitoring project across more than 60,000 residential carts. The study showed a strong correlation between the number of tagged carts and contamination reduction, reinforcing the power of behavioral nudges and real-time feedback.

Nik envisions a future where AI is seamlessly embedded in waste systems, not as a buzzword, but as a force multiplier that saves time, informs better decisions, and builds transparency.

And while Zabble continues to evolve, its mission remains clear: reduce contamination, close the loop, and empower people across the waste value chain.

Visit https://www.zabbleinc.com/ to learn more about the platform.

Zabble San Jose webinar: https://www.zabbleinc.com/2025-csj-webinar

Don’t forget to subscribe to, rate, and share the Waste World podcast to support more conversations like this.

Waste World on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0o0NUDC6kDM69khJZFZgJQ