Waste World

Waste360

Waste World is a podcast hosted by Gage Edwards, featuring in-depth discussions on the world of waste from experts, professionals, influencers, and community members involved in the waste and recycling industry.

  1. 19H AGO

    Waste World - Episode 57: Preserving Knowledge in Wastewater Operations

    In this episode of the Waste World Podcast, Gage Edwards spoke with Joseph Blackman, founder of Vitendo Training Solutions, about how video-based training can help utilities capture knowledge and pass it on to the next generation of workers. Blackman’s approach focuses on turning real-world expertise from veteran operators into short, practical training videos that can be accessed in the field when workers need guidance. In the episode, Blackman explains how “just-in-time training” allows workers to learn tasks at the moment they need them rather than sitting through lengthy classroom sessions or manuals they may not remember later. By embedding quick instructional videos into workflows, utilities can give employees immediate access to operational guidance while improving consistency, safety and accountability across teams. The model mirrors how people already learn outside of work, using short online videos to troubleshoot problems and develop new skills, making training more accessible for the next generation entering the industry. Be sure to follow and subscribe to the Waste World podcast on Spotify and other podcast services. Also, watch the video version of the Waste World podcast on WasteExpo’s YouTube page.

    41 min

  2. MAR 10

    Waste World - Episode 56: Breaking Down Wastewater Cybersecurity with Brian Westnedge

    Cybersecurity is becoming an increasingly critical issue for utilities and infrastructure sectors as digital tools and artificial intelligence reshape operations. In this episode of the Waste World Podcast, Gage Edwards spoke with Brian Westnedge, who leads tech alliances and strategic partnerships for Red Sift, about the growing cybersecurity challenges facing water and wastewater utilities. With more than two decades of experience in email deliverability, authentication and digital security, Westnedge has worked closely with organizations to strengthen their defenses against phishing, impersonation and other cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure. Westnedge discusses how artificial intelligence is improving monitoring, predictive maintenance and operational efficiency across utilities, while also lowering the barriers for cyber attackers. As AI tools become more accessible, threat actors can more easily craft convincing phishing emails and impersonation attempts, increasing the risk for organizations that lack foundational protections such as email authentication protocols.  Be sure to follow and subscribe to the Waste World podcast on Spotify and other podcast services. Also, watch the video version of the Waste World podcast on WasteExpo’s YouTube page.

    37 min

  3. MAR 3

    Waste World - Episode 55: Driving Success in the Waste Industry

    This week’s episode of the Waste World podcast features a session from WasteExpo 2025 titled “Culture at the Core: Driving Success in the Waste Industry.” The discussion centered on one of the most influential forces behind organizational performance: company culture. From safety and accountability to employee engagement and growth, panelists shared how culture shapes not only internal operations but long-term competitive advantage. The panel featured Patti Hamilton of Coastal Waste & Recycling, Paul Ross of American Waste Control, William J. Rumpke Jr. of Rumpke Waste & Recycling, Erin Huber of International Motors, Jason Craft of Waste Connections, and Maria Frizzell of Schaefer Plastics North America. Together, they explored how clearly defined values, trust-based leadership, and consistent communication drive measurable outcomes, including improved safety performance, stronger employee retention, and more cohesive teams.  Panelists stressed that culture is not slogans on a wall, but behaviors that are taught, modeled, and celebrated. Whether through structured leadership training, safety initiatives, open communication, or community engagement, the message was clear: organizations that define and protect their culture are better positioned to attract talent, retain employees, and sustain long-term success. Be sure to follow and subscribe to the Waste World podcast on Spotify and other podcast services. Also, watch the video version of the Waste World podcast on WasteExpo’s YouTube page.

    1h 12m

  4. FEB 24

    Waste World - Episode 54: Todd Mathes on Turning Food Waste Into Opportunity

    In this episode of the Waste World podcast, Gage Edwards sits down with Todd Mathes, CEO of Denali, to explore the fast-evolving world of organics recycling and food waste diversion. The conversation dives into how companies are rethinking waste as a resource and why landfill diversion is gaining urgency across the U.S. Mathes brings more than three decades of operational experience across food manufacturing and environmental services. As CEO of Denali, he leads a mission-driven organization focused on repurposing organic waste while helping customers meet sustainability goals and improve operational efficiency. In the episode, Mathes discusses the growing infrastructure needed to scale organics recycling, how data and technology are improving waste tracking, and why sustainability can also drive cost savings. He also shares insights on the future of food waste diversion and the role education plays in helping communities better understand the value of repurposed materials. Be sure to follow and subscribe to the Waste World podcast on Spotify and other podcast services. Also, watch the video version of the Waste World podcast on WasteExpo’s YouTube page.

    24 min

  5. FEB 17

    Waste World - Episode 53: M&A Pulse Check with Jim Cocita and Sam Keenan

    In this episode of the Waste World podcast, Gage Edwards sits down with Jim Cocita and Sam Keenan to unpack the forces shaping mergers and acquisitions across the environmental services sector. The podcast covers what defined 2025, how investor priorities are evolving, and why consolidation continues to reshape the industry.  Jim Cocita, managing director at Brown Gibbons Lang & Company, brings nearly two decades of advisory experience across waste, recycling, and environmental services transactions. Sam Keenan, managing director at Kinderhook Industries, has spent more than 15 years backing and building businesses across the space, helping scale companies like Capital Waste, Ecowaste, Apex Environmental, ACV Environmental, Circon, and Jack Doheny. Together, they provide both advisor and investor perspectives on where capital is flowing and why.

    36 min

  6. FEB 10

    Waste World - Episode 52: Compost 2026 Recap

    On this episode of the Waste World podcast, Gage Edwards recaps his time at Compost 2026 in Sacramento and two Waste360 features that captured the industry’s biggest conversations. Gage breaks down how California’s SB 279 is designed to work alongside SB 1383 to expand composting capacity, ease permitting challenges, and address the state’s growing “homeless biomass” problem.  The episode also highlights new national research showing how aggressive food and yard waste diversion could sharply reduce U.S. landfill methane emissions. Gage covers findings that suggest a California-style approach could cut landfill methane by about 40% while keeping most compost in productive agricultural use.  Be sure to follow and subscribe to the Waste World podcast on Spotify and other podcast services. Also, watch the video version of the Waste World podcast on WasteExpo’s YouTube page.

    17 min

  7. JAN 27

    Waste World – Episode 51: ReFED’s Sara Burnett on the Future of Food Waste

    On the Waste World podcast, Gage Edwards chats with Sara Burnett, executive director of ReFED, about why momentum is finally building and how bipartisan policy, private-sector engagement and consumer behavior shifts are starting to move the needle on a system-wide challenge that still sees a large share of food go uneaten. Burnett spent nearly two decades at Panera Bread, where she led clean food, donation and sustainability initiatives before joining ReFED to scale data-driven solutions nationwide. A trained food scientist and supply chain expert, she has seen waste at every stage of the system and now focuses on helping businesses and policymakers implement practical, scalable strategies that reduce waste while improving efficiency and economics. During the conversation, Sara details why embedded, operational solutions outperform behavior-dependent ones, how inflation is reshaping household food management, and where AI is already delivering real gains in inventory tracking, portion control and organics recovery. Burnett also highlighted the growing role of bipartisan policy support, clearer food date labeling and flexible portioning as levers that benefit businesses, consumers and communities alike. Be sure to follow and subscribe to the Waste World podcast on Spotify and other podcast services. Also, watch the video version of the Waste World podcast on WasteExpo’s YouTube page.

    36 min

  8. JAN 20

    Waste World - Episode 50: Todd Thomas on Zero Wood Waste and the Future of AI-Driven Infrastructure

    In this episode of the Waste World podcast, Gage Edwards is joined by Todd Thomas to examine how AI-driven growth is reshaping waste measurement, material recovery, and private-sector climate leadership. The conversation focuses on why 2026 is shaping up to be a turning point for construction sustainability. Todd Thomas is the founder and CEO of Woodchuck, a climate-tech company using artificial intelligence to track, sort, and divert construction and manufacturing waste, with a particular focus on wood. He is also a (now) four-time bestselling author and the author of Hyperscale: AI, Data Centers, and the Next Great Expansion of Global Energy Capacity, where he explores the intersection of digital infrastructure, energy systems, and sustainability. During the podcast, Todd discusses how AI data centers are forcing new standards in construction sustainability, why “zero wood waste” commitments signal a broader industry shift, and how AI-enabled waste tracking is making material flows and climate impact measurable for the first time. The show also covers how sustainability is moving beyond compliance toward a true competitive advantage for builders, operators, and technology leaders. Be sure to follow and subscribe to the Waste World podcast on Spotify and other podcast services. Also, watch the video version of the Waste World podcast on WasteExpo’s YouTube page.

    44 min
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About

Waste World is a podcast hosted by Gage Edwards, featuring in-depth discussions on the world of waste from experts, professionals, influencers, and community members involved in the waste and recycling industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Waste360
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Waste World
  • Show Website
    Waste World

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