Wayne's Green Revolution: Rural Recycling That Works

If you've ever stared down a plastic container with a tiny number "3" on it and experienced a full-blown existential crisis - you are not alone! In this episode of Sustainable Steps, Tami and Jake sit down with Sandy Brown from the City of Wayne Green Team in Nebraska. Since 2009, this city-backed volunteer group has been helping this rural community divert nearly one-million pounds of waste from the landfill - proving that you don't need a massive metropolitan budget to make a massive environmental impact. In this episode, you'll learn: The "Twin the Bin" Principle: Why pairing your trash can with a recycling bin eliminates the "wishful recycling" temptation. Gamifying the Garbage: How Wayne got high school seniors and local residents obsessed with recycling by turning it into a $20-rewarding game of "Recycle Right Bingo." The Toxicity of Trash: Why difficult-to-move items like glass, batteries and even old markers shouldn't just be tossed. Ready to up your green game or invite Sandy to speak to your town? Check out the Green Team's resources at cityofwayne.org/greenteam or shoot Sandy an email at [email protected]. Find out more about the programs and services offered by Goodwill of the Great Plains by visiting goodwillgreatplains.org. The Sustainable Steps podcast is made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Gilchrist Foundation.