Jon Schroeder is an SMM Specialist at MnTAP, focused on sustainable materials, waste mitigation, reuse, recycling, lifecycle assessment (LCA), organizational engagement, and sustainable procurement. Based in Minneapolis, he has extensive experience in sustainability initiatives, with deep expertise in waste and materials management. He runs the Minnesota Materials Exchange as part of his job, and enjoys … Read more
Motivated by the urgent need to address wasted food and hunger, Erin Ash joined the Spoonfuls team in 2025, bringing with her a background in environmental justice and public health. She began her nonprofit career in Addiction Medicine at Boston Medical Center, later earning a Master’s in Public Health from Boston University. Before transitioning to … Read more
Connor Hoemann is a Toward Zero Waste Program Assistant at Sustainable Connections in Bellingham, WA. He holds a degree in Environmental Science from Whittier College and is committed to waste reduction, resource recovery, and community-driven sustainability. In his role, Connor provides technical assistance and outreach to local businesses, helping them comply with Bellingham’s single-use plastic … Read more
Brandi Hutton is the Toward Zero Waste Program Manager at Sustainable Connections. She has been there for 5 plus years helping build programs such as the Food Recovery Program, Community Freedges, and technical support for businesses transitioning away single-use plastics as part of the City of Bellingham’s Single-Use Plastics Ban. Originally from the Mid-West, Brandi … Read more
Michael Wasserman is a Senior Consultant at Eunomia Research & Consulting, a B Corp certified firm specializing in waste and resource management. Michael collaborates with public and private sector clients to deliver strategic, data-driven solutions that facilitate the transition to a circular economy. His diverse project experience spans key areas such as Extended Producer Responsibility … Read more
Clare Miflin envisions a future without garbage, where urban systems are woven into ecosystems. In 2017 she led the development of the Zero Waste Design Guidelines, with support from the Rockefeller Foundation, to show how to design the built environment to help cities achieve zero waste goals. An architect, systems thinker and biomimicry certified professional, … Read more
Elizabeth Balkan has extensive expertise in zero waste policy and implementation. She most recently served as Executive Director of Reloop North America. There, she built a circularity in packaging program comprised of leading decision-makers across the value chain and the most influential government and non-profit stakeholders, delivering tangible, data-oriented solutions. She previously led the Food … Read more
Lily is a Senior Associate in Communications and Engagement at Cascadia Consulting Group. She leads Bay Area project teams covering a broad range of topics including zero waste, food recovery, and circularity. She has worked in the sustainability field as a business strategist, change manager, project manager, facilitator and community engagement lead. Organization:Cascadia Consulting GroupTitle:Senior … Read more
Bob Gedert has 45 years of experience in building local economic development practices with zero-waste goals through private-public partnerships that utilize local markets for recyclables through innovative entrepreneurship and collaborative business networks. In his retirement, he is teaching climate change classes at Xavier University in Cincinnati and publishing his first book on the relationship of … Read more
Ruth Abbe is a Zero Waste practitioner with more than 25 years of experience in recycling and composting program and facility development and outreach and technical assistance. As president of Zero Waste USA, she is working with municipalities across the U.S. to develop the social and physical infrastructure to achieve Zero Waste. As co-chair of … Read more