Becoming a Zero Waste Block Leader: How Austin Residents Are Driving Change Locally

I attended the Zero Waste Block Leader Program orientation hosted by Austin Resource Recovery (ARR), and I left feeling both inspired and reconnected to one of my professional passions: waste and resource management.

As Austin continues working toward its ambitious goal of 90% waste diversion by 2040, this program equips residents to play an active role in that mission. The Zero Waste Block Leader Program (ZWBL) trains volunteers to educate their neighbors about recycling, composting, and waste reduction, while also serving as on-the-ground advocates for sustainability. It’s one of those rare opportunities where everyday citizens become part of the city’s environmental strategy – one conversation, one household, and one block at a time.


From Waste Management to Resource Recovery

During my time at Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) (one of Austin Metro’s largest private waste haulers), I developed a strong appreciation for the complex systems that make waste and sustainability work together. Seeing firsthand how recycling streams, compost operations, and landfill logistics function behind the scenes gave me a tangible understanding of what it takes to manage waste at scale.

But what’s always fascinated me most is the communication side of it: how do we take something as unglamorous as trash and turn it into a story that inspires change? That’s exactly where programs like ARR’s Block Leader initiative come in.

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Roots of Change: Launching the Green Workforce Collaborative in Austin

The Roots of Change: Growing the Future event marked the public debut of the Green Workforce Collaborative (GWC) — a brand-new initiative aiming to strengthen sustainability education, workforce readiness, and equitable access to green jobs across Central Texas. Hosted at the Austin Central Library, the evening brought together an incredible mix of professionals, educators, policy advocates, and community members who share a common goal: growing the green workforce and supporting the people behind it.

The atmosphere felt great from the start — a blend of civic pride, optimism, and collaboration. As I arrived, conversations filled the library’s event space, and it was clear that this was more than a networking mixer; it was the start of a movement. The rooftop view overlooking downtown Austin added an extra layer of inspiration (and even offered a glimpse of ACL Fest — plus a surprise police chase below for some unexpected entertainment!).

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3D Printing, EV Retrofits, and Climate Conversations: A Night with Austin’s Green Leaders

I had the chance to attend my very first Austin Sustainability Professionals event, and it was everything I hoped for and more.

What makes this group special is that it isn’t an organization you’ll find on a website or social media. It’s more of a word-of-mouth community — a grassroots, invite-only network of people across industries who are advancing sustainability in Central Texas. From climatetech founders to corporate sustainability leads, from nonprofit advocates to circular economy innovators, this group is full of changemakers doing real, on-the-ground work to build a more sustainable world (here in Austin).

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2025 Mitchell Sustainability Symposium: A Day of Learning, Connection, and Inspiration

The University of Texas at Austin hosted the 2025 Mitchell Sustainability Symposium at the William C. Powers Student Activity Center. This event brought together faculty, students, sustainability experts, and community members to examine the state of sustainability on campus and explore its broader impact on education, research, and community engagement.

With a packed agenda from morning networking to student lightning talks, the symposium showcased the university’s role as both an innovator and facilitator in the sustainability space. Below is an overview of the key sessions and highlights.

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August Networking Highlights in Austin

August was packed with opportunities to reconnect, learn, and expand my network across sustainability, marketing, and innovation communities in Austin. Each event brought something unique to the table, here’s a look at the highlights.

USGBC Texas Green Coffee Hour

After bouncing back from my fifth round of COVID, it felt incredible to return to the USGBC Texas Green Coffee Hour at Easy Tiger. Conversations ranged from fire prevention strategies to career journeys and even how solar can be more seamlessly integrated into design. More than anything, I realized how much I’d missed being surrounded by green-minded peers. This morning left me recharged and ready to rebuild momentum in my networking efforts.

FIESTA

FIESTA (Founders, Investors, Entrepreneurs, Startups, Techies, and Austin Newcomers) delivered its usual mix of big ideas and fresh connections. From ten one-minute founder pitches—including innovations like turning methane into jet fuel and an RV-sharing platform—to sponsor companies like FreeWater and SoberWater leading with purpose, there was no shortage of inspiration. I walked away with fresh perspectives, valuable conversations, and a renewed sense of just how dynamic Austin’s startup ecosystem has become.

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2025 Circular Austin Showcase: Creativity Meets Sustainability

Last night I had the chance to attend the 2025 Circular Austin Showcase, an event that celebrates innovation, collaboration, and bold ideas for building a zero-waste future. Hosted by Austin Resource Recovery and the City of Austin Economic Development Department, the showcase brought together entrepreneurs, investors, city leaders, and community members who all share a passion for sustainability. It was an evening that reinforced Austin’s reputation as a city where creativity and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.


Spotlight on Circular Innovation

The event focused on its finalist pitches — eight businesses sharing how they’re tackling real-world waste and resource challenges. Each idea pushed the boundaries of what’s possible when we rethink our relationship with materials.

  • Cocarbon is using agricultural plant waste to produce activated carbon for clean water filtration. Their carbon-negative, solar-powered process provides safer water and eliminates the need for costly water transport while creating local jobs.
  • CRAFT showed how a public studio model can reduce waste by making art supplies and workshops more accessible. Instead of single-use consumption, they foster creativity through shared resources.
  • Save the Good Stuff is tackling the preservation and reuse of historic building materials, ensuring Austin’s architectural history isn’t lost to landfills.
  • Wanderlust Wine Co. is proving that even the wine industry can adapt, using wine-on-tap systems with reusable packaging to cut down on waste and emissions.
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