Sustainability Archives - Taylor Scott Nelson

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

October 20, 2025 No Comments

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.

General, Professional, Texas

Demystifying Sustainability for Genuine Progress: Insights from UT Austin’s Impact Chat

October 14, 2025 No Comments

Tonight, I had the opportunity to attend “Demystifying Sustainability for Genuine Progress,” a panel hosted by the Global Sustainability Leadership Institute (GSLI) at UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business. The discussion brought together leading voices in corporate sustainability from Samsung, Whole Foods Market, and Dell Technologies, moderated by Nick Nelson, Vice President at Edelman Austin — who, fun coincidence, shares my last name.

The event explored how sustainability professionals cut through complexity and “green noise” to achieve tangible, lasting impact. It was a refreshing and practical look at how real-world businesses are translating sustainability goals into results that matter — for the planet, for customers, and for the bottom line.

General, Professional, Texas

Roots of Change: Launching the Green Workforce Collaborative in Austin

October 10, 2025 No Comments

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!).

General, Professional, Texas

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

October 7, 2025 No Comments

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).

General, Professional, Texas

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

October 2, 2025 No Comments

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.

General, Professional, Texas

Conservation on Screen: Highlights from the Wild & Scenic Film Festival

September 25, 2025 No Comments

I had the chance to immerse myself in an evening of films that were as inspiring as they were sobering. The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is built around one clear purpose: to use the power of film to spark a deeper connection with nature and inspire action for a healthier planet.

What struck me most was how the six short films, though set in different parts of the world, all carried threads that tied back to Texas and the challenges we face here. From questions of land use and public access to concerns about water, waste management and plastics, biodiversity concerns, and urban development hurdles, the stories felt universal yet deeply personal.

Local Climate Solutions: Biodiversity & Forest Conservation in the Sierra Gorda

The festival opened with a story from Mexico’s Sierra Gorda, where one family’s decades-long mission has blossomed into a community-led model for forestry conservation against local industrial emissions. This film reminded me how education and science can drive measurable regeneration while also creating economic opportunities for people living directly with the land.

Key Takeaway: A community-led model shows how science, education, and economic innovation can regenerate ecosystems while supporting local livelihoods.