Plenary 1 • Municipalities Leading Toward Zero Waste

October 23, 2025 from 8:30 am to 9:30 am

Speaker: Moderator: Ruth Abbe • Speakers: Elizabeth Ellman, Sarah Hofman-Graham

Zero Waste Bexley: Learn about Bexley, Ohio’s quest for zero waste through innovative educational programs, opportunities for reuse, partnerships promoting circularity, and universal recycling throughout the residential, business, and institutional sectors. Hear from the City’s Sustainability Programs Coordinator about how an idea became a plan that has transformed into a way of life in Bexley.

Zero Waste DC: The Office of Waste Diversion within the Department for Public Works coordinates the Zero Waste solutions for the District of Columbia through the Interagency Waste Reduction Working Group. Working Group members shape the implementation of waste programs, provide feedback and support for waste diversion operations, design and develop cohesive waste diversion education and outreach materials, and support the continued evolution of the District’s waste diversion policies.

Moderator: Ruth Abbe, President, Zero Waste USA

Speakers:

Elizabeth Ellman, Sustainability Programs Coordinator, City of Bexley, Ohio
Sarah Hofman-Graham, Team Lead, Office of Waste Diversion, District of Columbia