Waste World

On this episode of Waste World , Gage brings Andrew Johnston, Vice President of Industrials at Divert, on the show for an in-depth conversation on how Divert is scaling industrial food waste solutions nationwide. Johnston brings a blend of engineering expertise and commercial strategy to one of the most complex areas of wasted food infrastructure, and this episode explores what it really takes to...

In this episode of the Waste World Podcast, Gage Edwards chats with Ben Kuethe Oaks, VP and GM of Retail at Divert, to explore how one of the country’s fastest-growing food waste technology companies is reshaping the retail landscape. With more than 7,500 grocery locations using Divert’s programs today, Ben walks through how retailers are rethinking waste, the operational challenges they face insi...

In this episode of the Waste World Podcast, Gage Edwards is joined by Spencer Williams, CEO and founder of West Paw, a Montana-based pet products company redefining what circularity looks like in the pet industry. The podcast explores the massive volume of pet product waste entering U.S. landfills each year, the misconceptions consumers have about pet toy durability and recyclability, and why the...

From fast fashion to single-use seasonal clothing, millions of garments are produced, purchased, and discarded at a pace our waste systems simply can’t handle. In this episode of the Waste World podcast, Gage Edwards is joined by Lexy Silverstein to dig into the realities behind the clothes we wear, what happens to them after we’re finished, and why it is essential for consumers to act sustainably...

On this episode of The Waste World Podcast, Gage Edwards chats with Joe DiNardi-Mack, CEO and Co-Founder of Sourgum, also known as “the Amazon of waste and recycling.” The podcast explores how the waste and recycling industry can modernize without losing its operational roots. Joe breaks down the challenges of fragmentation, the struggle with contamination, and what technology (including AI and ma...

In this episode of the Waste World Podcast, Gage Edwards chats with Michael Marmo, CEO of CurbWaste, to discuss how AI is reshaping operations for independent waste haulers. As the industry faces increasing regulatory pressure, rising costs, and the push for digital compliance, AI is emerging as a powerful tool to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance service. Marmo brings a unique perspe...

This episode of the Waste World Podcast, Gage Edwards explores how leading waste and recycling companies are addressing the growing global challenge of electronic waste. He examines efforts by organizations such as Blancco Technology Group, ERI, Redwood Materials, MBA Polymers, Upcycle USA, CWG, and Call2Recycle to build a more circular electronics economy.  Gage highlights innovations in secure d...

This episode of the Waste World podcast revisits the panel discussion “Battery Risk Management in the Waste Stream: Detection and Communication Tactics,” where industry experts tackled one of the most urgent safety challenges facing the waste and recycling sector—battery-related fires. The conversation examined how batteries can be identified and managed throughout the waste stream, from curbside...

At WasteExpo 2025 in Las Vegas, attendees heard from Patrick Dovigi, Founder, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors at GFL Environmental, in a deep dive conversation led by Michael E. Hoffman, President and CEO of the National Waste & Recycling Association. Dovigi shared the story of how he built GFL into the fourth-largest environmental services company in North America, refle...

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 drin...

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...

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 k...

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, r...

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 was...

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 compan...

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 b...

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, an...

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 attende...

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...

In this episode of Waste World , Stefanie Valentic and Gage Edwards visit Wastequip’s brand-new WRX facility in Lakeland, Florida. They’re joined on-site by Christian Bremer, Vice President and General Manager of Parts, and Kiel Harvey, Director of Compactor Service Solutions, to discuss how the WRX model is revolutionizing parts distribution, service, and customer support in the waste industry. ...

On this week's episode of the Waste World podcast, Stef and Gage are joined by Josh Haraf, Market Vice Presidnet of NYC at Interstate Waste Services, to discuss recycling and waste collection in the city, recycling education, and the exciting new partnership from Action Carting Evnironmental Services and Sesame Workshop which will see Oscar the Grouch featured on an all-new electric vehicle!

On this week's episode of the Waste World Podcast, Stef and Gage are joined by Andy Weins at WasteExpo for a podcast from the event! Listen in as the three hosts chat about the importance of WasteExpo, industry opportunities at the show, and trending topics that everyone was talking about all week. Video version available on YouTube. Subscribe to the Waste World Podcast on Spotify or other po...

On this week's episode of the WasteWorld Podcast, Stef and Gage take a break from their busy schedules to discuss WasteExpo 2025. The two cover all the special events from the show, which sessions they're moderating and looking forward to, the can't-miss Welcome Party, and Las Vegas.

On this week's episode of the Waste World Podcast, Ryan Cooper, VP of Circular Economy Solutions at Rubicon, joins the show to talk about food waste at home and in restaurants, reducing contamination, and his upcoming panel at WasteExpo 2025.  Be sure to visit Waste360.com for more news from the waste and recycling industry. Subscribe to the Waste World Podcast on Spotify or other podcasting...

On this week's episode of the Waste World Podcast, Stef and Gage are joined by Ryan Begin, CEO and Co-Founder of Divert. Listen in as Ryan talks about the new happenings with Divert, food waste, and more. Be sure to subscribe to the Waste World Podcast on Spotify or other podcasting services. Visit Waste360.com for more information.