Senior Advisor Alec Cooley joins Will Nash for a conversation about what it really takes to improve recycling programs in colleges and universities. Following a survey about Indoor Waste & Diversion at Colleges and Universities across Canada and the U.S., Alec shares what schools are doing to increase participation, reduce contamination, and make recycling easier to understand and follow.

From standardized bins and consistent signage to centralized collection and getting people to physically move their waste, this episode explores how the way a recycling program is designed can influence everyday behavior. Alec also discusses the challenges of implementing these changes, the importance of stakeholder buy-in, and how schools are using evidence to build support for new approaches.

The conversation also looks at the role of education and habit-building, particularly among younger generations, and why creating simple, consistent recycling routines can have an impact that lasts well beyond the classroom.

Because better recycling isn't just about having the right bins — it's about creating systems that make the right behavior easier to repeat.

Find our survey results here: https://www.buschsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Centralized-Survey-Results_Main-Report.pdf

Trees do so much more than provide shade—they clean our air, support wildlife, improve our mental well-being, and help build healthier, more resilient communities.In this episode of Talkin' Trash with Will Nash, Will welcomes back Andee Pelan of Living Green Barrie to discuss why trees are one of nature's greatest climate solutions. From the importance of planting native species and supporting biodiversity to the surprising science behind how trees communicate through underground fungal networks, this conversation explores the many ways trees benefit both people and the planet.In this episode, you'll learn about:

• Why trees are essential for climate action
• The importance of planting native tree species
• How trees support biodiversity and local ecosystems
• The connection between trees and mental well-being
• The science behind the "Wood Wide Web"
• How communities and businesses can get involved in tree planting

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Waste management planner John Watson joins Will Nash for a conversation about the real reason recycling remains so confusing — and it has less to do with waste than it does with people.

With nearly 20 years of experience helping municipalities improve waste programs across Ontario, John shares what he's learned about human behavior, public education, and why even the best-designed systems can fail when residents don't understand them. From award-winning communication campaigns to the role of technology, social media, and signage, this episode explores what actually influences behavior, what messaging falls flat, and why educating the public is far more complicated than it seems.

Because recycling isn't just a waste problem — it's a behavior problem. And understanding that might be the key to finally getting it right.