‘Tis the season to be merry and green! During our episode 4 conversation, an expert from the Toy Association shares how nearly half of parents shopping for gifts this holiday season are interested in purchasing more sustainable toys and SWACO explores the lengths toy manufacturers like Mattel, Lego and Fisher-Price are going to – even trying out cocoa beans -- to create the products consumers want. And it turns out, the Toy Association's Charlotte Hickcox is an Ohio Wesleyan graduate and used to work at the Ohio EPA with our other guest, Andrew Booker, SWACO's Programs Manager. So, we love this career reunion of sorts as Charlotte and Andrew bring a wealth of knowledge to the changing landscape of all things recyclable and reusable from toy manufacturing to Amazon packaging. Plus, Hanna and Joe also talk about the basics like what can and can't go in your trash and recycle bins given a lot of kids are getting battery powered toys this Christmas. So, from all of us at SWACO, have a healthy and safe holiday season and enjoy our last episode of 2024. But don't worry, we're already planning more great episodes for 2025!

It's a term you'll hear more about especially from those of us in recycle and reuse communities -- the circular economy. Love that crisp refreshing Coca-Cola or Diet Coke but still wonder where that recycled plastic bottle or aluminum can ends up? To put it simply, it ends up back on your store shelf and in some cases, in just a matter of weeks. November is National Recycling Month and recycling is growing in Central Ohio thanks to recent announcements by SWACO and Rumpke Waste & Recycling making it possible for residents to recycle even more plastic material. When families and residents choose to recycle plastics from their homes, they contribute to a cleaner, greener community and help to support businesses that rely on those recyclables to manufacture their goods and products. Joining Hanna and Joe for this month's episode are Amanda Pratt from RUMPKE and Todd Marty from Coca-Cola Consolidated. Both are leading the way and pushing Ohio to the forefront of the circular economy and at the same time, saving precious natural resources, diverting materials from landfills and creating jobs!

Here at SWACO, we're all about partnerships and learning from our neighbors new ways to recycle and reuse. So, this month is the perfect time to meet our friends at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. Did you know we're home to THE largest Ronald McDonald house in the world? In fact, our local house just completed a big renovation which cements their worldwide status. Joining Hanna and Joe is Ronald McDonald House Charities Communications Director, Maddie Knostman. She highlights several big initiatives like their 'Pop Tab Challenge', chef's garden, and various ways you can volunteer. But for this episode, we start the conversation with Maddie on how easy it is to drop off your leftover Halloween candy. It's a great way to avoid food waste at home plus you're providing sweet treats to families and kids who likely could use a pick-me-up. Plus, if you're wondering where to take your pumpkins after Halloween, Joe and Hanna have the complete list of cities and towns in Central Ohio that'll compost them for you.