Continuing my green adventures in Austin, I attended the City of Austin’s Circular Austin Showcase. This was a “shark tank” style pitch event where entrepreneurs propose businesses/products based on recycled or upcycled waste materials. I was previously involved in 2021 [RE]verse Pitch Competition as an initial contestant (didn’t make finals) with an idea for vermicomposting to pitch for that year’s Circular Showcase.
In my role as the first-ever Digital Marketing Coordinator at Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) and I played a vital role in developing and executing various marketing initiatives emphasizing sustainability and waste management practices. From redesigning key webpages and crafting targeted email drip campaigns to managing content campaigns and spearheading creative recycling promotions, my work at TDS was multifaceted and impactful. I also contributed to several community-oriented projects, including Earth Day campaigns, interactive recycling games at events, and seasonal holiday waste initiatives. Additionally, I supported the company’s sales department efforts by creating new sales materials and improving online customer funnels. Through these initiatives, I helped position TDS as a leader in the waste management industry in Central Texas while reinforcing its commitment to environmental stewardship and resource conservation.
Waste Wizard Promotion:
Promoted the “Waste Wizard,” a versatile app designed to remind customers of waste collection schedules and educate them on proper waste disposal practices. To increase app downloads, I introduced gift card incentive contests, effectively encouraging customer participation, increasing downloads, and reinforcing the brand. Facebook Post
Conference Vendor/Boothing:
Represented TDS at industry conferences by staffing booths, distributing marketing materials, and engaging in conversations with attendees about the company’s services and sustainable practices, helping to enhance the brand and fostering potential business relationships.
I attended the first day of the conference as an exhibitor with Texas Disposal Systems. I worked the booth alongside a couple salesmen and really enjoyed speaking with guests and handing out promotional items.
TDS promotional items
Throughout the day attendees would come in waves between educational sessions. According the the ETFC website, ““Agency staff [led] over 100 courses and discussions at Trade Fair. Topics included air and water permitting, oil and gas, industrial and solid waste management, compliance and enforcement, and remediation programs.”
EarthX is one of my favorite environmental events in Texas! I’ve attended EarthX years prior to the pandemic and loved every experience. This environmental conference is held in Dallas, Texas, and invites people and organizations from across the world. Its part educational in-person conference and exhibitor hall, and part film festival.
This year EarthX was held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Center downtown. Usual the event is hosted at the State Fairgrounds, but was relocated for in-person attendance during the pandemic. I met up with a friend and we took the DART rail to the convention center as a greener travel method.
We started off looking at international environmental art submissions. A lot of these art pieces were beautiful and represented environmental and regional concerns. We had the opportunity to publicly vote on our favorites too.
I wasn’t able to attend the Texas Disposal Systems booth for Earth Day at Austin FC’s game day at Q2 Stadium. However, my coworkers told me the game I created for our booth was super popular and had the longest wait line of all the vendor booths!
Man tossing bags into trash can goalsWoman throwing bags into trash cans
The game I proposed was a “Sort and Toss” cornhole-style game. Participants would spin a wheel with various forms of waste, then toss a bean bag into the corresponding and correct waste bin for a prize.
Family spinning wheel of wasteHand sanitizer game prizeYoung kid spinning waste wheel
My company, Texas Disposal Systems, supplied the portable restrooms and fencing for Fiesta in San Antonio. The festival provided TDS employees with free tickets and a VIP table for NIOSA (Night in Old San Antonio). I went with the marketing department as part of team bonding.
TDS Fiesta Banner on Crowd Barrier FenceTDS Portable Restrooms at FiestaTDS Temporary Fencing at Fiesta
This was my first time attending Fiesta in San Antonio. I was taken back by the scale of the event. We made our way over to the VIP tables to watch the annual float parade. However, the festival incorporated the entire city!