Recycling the Narrative: Youth at the Forefront of Change

Send us Fan MailEpisode Summary:In this energizing episode of Harvesting Wisdom, Dr. Roselle steps in for Mike McMahon to interview Ashley Weisman, CEO of Green Light Solutions. Discover how a student-led initiative transformed into a sustainability powerhouse, executing nearly 100 community-based projects and fostering cross-cultural collaborations. Ashley discusses their dynamic boot camps, landfill diversion efforts at major events, and a soon-to-launch dashboard that quantifies sustainability impact in creative, relatable ways. From food waste to green business strategies, this episode showcases how youth-led innovation is closing the gap between information and action—one project at a time.Why Listen?:This episode is a call to action. Whether you're a student, educator, business leader, or concerned citizen, you’ll find actionable insights and inspiration. Learn how to embed sustainability into your career, community, or classroom, and explore how collective action can reshape our world. As we say at UFE, “We’ve all taken a bite out of the apple.” Now let’s leave a social footprint.Timestamps:00:29 – Introduction by Dr. Roselle02:09 – The origin of Green Light Solutions03:51 – Ashley’s journey from student to CEO05:35 – Building student confidence through real-world projects06:54 – Broadening sustainability beyond environmental majors09:53 – Bootcamp structure: from ideation to implementation11:55 – Bridging cultural gaps in global programs12:51 – Green Team: Diverting waste from landfills14:59 – Educating the public at large-scale events16:18 – What happens after the bin: the waste stream explained18:48 – Sustainable sourcing and event planning21:35 – Partner highlight: Infosole and sustainability dashboards23:58 – Why businesses must tell their sustainability story25:56 – How companies can partner with student-led projects27:40 – Answering “Why bother?” and launching a collaborative documentary30:09 – Empowering others and sharing lessons learned32:24 – The added value of partnering with Green Light Solutions33:59 – Final call to actionCall to Action:Ready to take the next step? Visit glsolutions.org to connect with Green Light Solutions. Sign up for student projects, book a Green Team for your event, or become a project partner. Learn more about Urban Farming Education at weareufe.org and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the Harvesting Wisdom podcast. Let’s close the gap between information and action—together.Hashtags:#SustainabilityEducation, #GreenCareers, #YouthEmpowerment, #UrbanFarmingEducation, #HarvestingWisdom, #WasteDiversion, #GreenLightSolutions, #ClimateAction, #WhyBother, #CommunityImpact