National

The big picture: On Thursday, September 21, in Columbus, Ohio, Axios reporters Tyler Buchanan and Alissa Widman Neese hosted conversations examining policies and proposals aimed at reducing plastic pollution, accelerating recycling practices and advancing the circular economy.

Guests included Ohio State Sen. Bill DeMora (D), Sustainable Columbus deputy director Alana Shockey and Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio executive director Joe Lombardi.

Sen. Bill DeMora explained how he calls attention to environmental policy issues and their repercussions.

On convincing his colleagues and the public that environmental policies matter: "People got to start realizing that climate and climate change is the number one issue facing all of us…my job is to call them out when they do stuff like want to frack in state parks and bills that we just heard earlier this week."

Alana Shockey explained how recent federal climate-focused policies are helping local governments accelerate their climate goals.

On federal grants for local governments: "This is, I think, one of the exciting moments for us with the IRA and the BIL coming out of the federal government. It's really changed the opportunity that local governments have to lead on climate."

Joe Lombardi explained what steps need to happen to expand recycling in Ohio.

On recycling items versus throwing them into the trash: "I do believe that, number one, 70% of consumers want their packaging to be recyclable and they do support companies that are sustainable. So we have to keep that in mind as we throw stuff into our trash or whether we throw it into our blue bin."

In the View from the Top sponsored segment, Craig Cookson emphasized the opportunity Ohio has to improve recycling practices.

"Here in Ohio, there is a huge opportunity to recycle. So if you took just 50% of the plastics that are going to landfill right now in Ohio, instead built businesses through advanced recycling, mechanical recycling here in Ohio, you could add $420 million in additional economic output every year."

Thank you to the American Chemistry Council for sponsoring this event.

Watch: A conversation on plastic pollution and the circular economy

Axios will host an event in Columbus examining ways to reduce plastic pollution and advance the circular economy.

Axios event

Axios' Community Solutions: Plastics & the Circular Economy

The big picture: On Thursday, September 21, in Columbus, Ohio, Axios reporters Tyler Buchanan and Alissa Widman Neese hosted conversations examining policies and proposals aimed at reducing plastic pollution, accelerating recycling practices and advancing the circular economy.<ul><li>Guests included Ohio State Sen. Bill DeMora (D), Sustainable Columbus deputy director Alana Shockey and Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio executive director Joe Lombardi.</li></ul>Sen. Bill DeMora explained how he calls attention to environmental policy issues and their repercussions.<ul><li>On convincing his colleagues and the public that environmental policies matter: &quot;People got to start realizing that climate and climate change is the number one issue facing all of us…my job is to call them out when they do stuff like want to frack in state parks and bills that we just heard earlier this week.&quot;</li></ul>Alana Shockey explained how recent federal climate-focused policies are helping local governments accelerate their climate goals.<ul><li>On federal grants for local governments: &quot;This is, I think, one of the exciting moments for us with the IRA and the BIL coming out of the federal government. It&#x27;s really changed the opportunity that local governments have to lead on climate.&quot;</li></ul>Joe Lombardi explained what steps need to happen to expand recycling in Ohio.<ul><li>On recycling items versus throwing them into the trash: &quot;I do believe that, number one, 70% of consumers want their packaging to be recyclable and they do support companies that are sustainable. So we have to keep that in mind as we throw stuff into our trash or whether we throw it into our blue bin.&quot;</li></ul>Sponsored content:In the View from the Top sponsored segment, Craig Cookson emphasized the opportunity Ohio has to improve recycling practices.<ul><li>&quot;Here in Ohio, there is a huge opportunity to recycle. So if you took just 50% of the plastics that are going to landfill right now in Ohio, instead built businesses through advanced recycling, mechanical recycling here in Ohio, you could add $420 million in additional economic output every year.&quot;</li></ul>Thank you to the American Chemistry Council for sponsoring this event.

Axios Events

On September 19, Axios hosted an event looking at the technologies, innovations and practices aimed at feeding the world in a more sustainable way. 

Axios Capitol Hill reporter Juliegrace Brufke and Axios host Niala Boodhoo hosted conversations with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) and Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research executive director Saharah Moon Chapotin.

Watch: A conversation on sustainability in global food systems

Axios will host an event in Washington, D.C. looking at ways to feed the world in a more sustainable way.

On September 19, Axios hosted an event looking at the technologies, innovations and practices aimed at feeding the world in a more sustainable way. Axios Capitol Hill reporter Juliegrace Brufke and Axios host Niala Boodhoo hosted conversations with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) and Foundation for Food &amp; Agriculture Research executive director Saharah Moon Chapotin.

On Tuesday, September 26, Axios hosted an event in New Orleans, LA examining strategies to modernize the power grid, accelerate the clean energy transition and improve energy reliability and resilience. Axios Local New Orleans reporters Chelsea Brasted and Carlie Kollath Wells hosted conversations with New Orleans City Council council president Jean-Paul "JP" Morrell, United Way of Southeast Louisiana president and CEO Michael Williamson and The Beach at UNO president and CEO Rebecca Conwell.

Watch: A conversation on U.S. energy reliability

Axios will host an event in New Orleans exploring ways to improve U.S. energy reliability.

On Tuesday, September 26, Axios hosted an event in New Orleans, LA examining strategies to modernize the power grid, accelerate the clean energy transition and improve energy reliability and resilience. Axios Local New Orleans reporters Chelsea Brasted and Carlie Kollath Wells hosted conversations with New Orleans City Council council president Jean-Paul &quot;JP&quot; Morrell, United Way of Southeast Louisiana president and CEO Michael Williamson and The Beach at UNO president and CEO Rebecca Conwell.

On September 20, Axios hosted a News Shapers event in Washington, D.C.. 

Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and White House deputy national security advisor for international economics Mike Pyle joined Axios politics reporter Sophia Cai and senior business reporter Hope King for interviews focused on takeaways from the G20 summit, international economic policy, the road ahead for the 2024 election and other big news stories of the day

Watch: A conversation on the news of the day

On Wednesday, September 20, Axios returns for our next News Shapers event in Washington, D.C..

On September 20, Axios hosted a News Shapers event in Washington, D.C.. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and White House deputy national security advisor for international economics Mike Pyle joined Axios politics reporter Sophia Cai and senior business reporter Hope King for interviews focused on takeaways from the G20 summit, international economic policy, the road ahead for the 2024 election and other big news stories of the day

 On Wednesday, September 27th in Washington, D.C. Axios hosted an event looking at how broadband decision makers are working to reduce the hurdles toward a fully connected country. Axios tech policy reporters Ashley Gold and Maria Curi will host conversations with Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Federal Communications Commission chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and NTIA administrator & Assistant Secretary of Commerce for communications and information Alan Davidson.

Watch: A conversation on the digital divide in America

Axios will host an event looking in Washington, D.C. exploring efforts to reduce the digital divide.

Axios' Building Connections Across the Divide

On Wednesday, September 27th in Washington, D.C. Axios hosted an event looking at how broadband decision makers are working to reduce the hurdles toward a fully connected country. Axios tech policy reporters Ashley Gold and Maria Curi will host conversations with Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Federal Communications Commission chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and NTIA administrator &amp; Assistant Secretary of Commerce for communications and information Alan Davidson.