Circular Economy in Action: Lessons from the Full Circle Summit

February 14, 2026 No Comments

Introduction: Exploring the Future of Circular Economy in Texas

On February 14, 2026, I spent two days in San Antonio attending the Full Circle Summit hosted by Circular San Antonio, an event focused on advancing the circular economy through collaboration between innovators, policymakers, businesses, and community leaders.

The concept of a circular economy is gaining traction around the world. Instead of the traditional “take, make, dispose” model, circular systems focus on keeping materials in use, reducing waste, and designing systems that regenerate resources rather than deplete them.

What made the summit particularly interesting was how it grounded these ideas in real projects happening across Texas. From adaptive reuse in the built environment to material recovery and new innovation hubs, the conversations emphasized practical strategies for building circular systems at the city and community level.

I’m featured several times in this video

General, Professional, Texas

EVs, Autonomy, and the Grid: A Conversation About the Future of Transportation

January 22, 2026 No Comments

Exploring the Future of Electric Mobility

On January 22, 2026, I attended a panel discussion hosted by Energy Innovation Hub titled “The Electrification of Mobility, Autonomy, and Implications for the Grid.” The event brought together energy experts, transportation innovators, and sustainability professionals to explore how electric vehicles (EVs) and emerging transportation technologies are transforming infrastructure and energy systems.

The conversation focused on how electrification is changing not just the vehicles people drive, but also the power grid, urban planning, and the broader energy economy. As EV adoption accelerates and cities rethink transportation systems, the implications extend far beyond individual cars.

The panel highlighted how electrification, autonomy, and smart grid technologies are beginning to converge in ways that could fundamentally reshape how communities move, consume energy, and plan infrastructure for the future.

General, Professional, Texas

Community and Climate Conversations at the Austin Sustainability Professionals Holiday Mixer

December 10, 2025 No Comments

Wrapping Up the Year with Sustainability Conversations

On December 10, 2025, I attended and volunteered at the Austin Sustainability Professionals (ASP) 2026 Briefing + Holiday Mixer, held at Palm Venture Studios in Austin. The event brought together sustainability professionals, entrepreneurs, policy experts, and community members for an evening focused on reflecting on the year behind us and looking ahead to what 2026 might bring.

ASP events often blend professional insight with community connection, and this gathering was no exception. The evening included a panel discussion featuring leaders working across sustainability, technology, and economic development, followed by a networking reception that gave attendees a chance to reconnect and build new relationships.

As a volunteer supporting the event and capturing photos throughout the evening, I had the chance to see firsthand how engaged and collaborative Austin’s sustainability community has become.

General, Personal Projects, Texas

Sorting for Sustainability: Lessons from the Oh What Fun! Holiday Market

December 7, 2025 No Comments

Sustainability Behind the Scenes of a Holiday Market

During the 2025 holiday season, I volunteered to get my hours as part of the City of Austin’s Zero Waste Block Leader Program to help support waste diversion efforts at the inaugural “Oh What Fun!” Holiday Market at Republic Square in downtown Austin.

Holiday markets are vibrant community gatherings filled with food vendors, craft booths, and seasonal celebrations. But events like these can also generate significant waste. Compostable food containers, recyclable packaging, and landfill trash often end up mixed together unless there is active effort to sort and manage it.

That’s where volunteers come in.

Over two weekends, November 29 and December 8, I joined a team of volunteers helping manage the event’s waste stations and ensure that materials were sorted correctly into compost, recycling, and landfill streams.

General, Space, Texas

Third Places and Community Spaces: An Evening at The Boring Bodega

November 28, 2025 No Comments

Discovering a Unique Community Gathering Space

On November 28, 2025 — the day after Thanksgiving — I visited The Boring Bodega, a unique community-focused space in Austin (Bastrop), for a casual community happy hour with family.

The name itself is playful and slightly ironic. Despite the name, there’s nothing particularly boring about the space. The Boring Bodega blends several different community amenities into one location, creating an environment where people can gather, socialize, and spend time together in a relaxed setting.

During my visit, I had the chance to explore the space and see how it functions as a kind of modern “third place” — somewhere that exists outside of home and work where people can connect with others in their community.

General, Texas

Community, Coffee, and Climate Action in Austin

November 25, 2025 No Comments

This past Saturday, I found myself in two very different corners of Austin’s sustainability landscape – one inside Patagonia’s Austin store during their Climate Progress & Pints Happy Hour, and the other hoping around downtown and East Austin with my friend Erin, canvassing local cafés to accept reusable cups as promoted by Austin Reuse Coalition (ARC).

Both moments were focused on small, local, and community-driven efforts – and they reminded me just how much meaningful climate action begins at the neighborhood level.