Behind the Bins: MRF Tour for Circular Economy Awareness

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
I organized a tour for public policy, urban planning, and business graduate students to visit an Athens Services materials recovery facility (MRF). We got a behind-the-scenes look at how waste is sorted and managed, talked with staff on the ground, and met with Athens’ Director of Sustainability, Jessica Aldridge, to learn about real-world challenges and solutions in our waste system. It was a chance to connect across disciplines and watch the complete sorting process unfold in real time.

2. IMPORTANCE:
I chose this project because waste often gets overlooked in conversations about sustainability, even though it’s a key part of building a circular economy and a more sustainable society. Most people have no idea what happens after the trash leaves their bin. With nearly 10 years of experience in waste management—including work educating businesses and students on waste diversion—I’ve seen how powerful education can be in changing how people think about and manage their waste. This tour was a way to spark that kind of awareness.

3. IMPACT AND REACH:
The tour gave students a hands-on look at how recycling works—from the arrival of materials to the detailed sorting process—and how facilities like Athens manage challenges such as contamination, pollution, and noise. It helped demystify what happens after waste leaves our homes and showed how operational decisions can directly influence environmental outcomes. Several peers told me it changed their thoughts about their waste habits. One close friend shared that it inspired her to rethink her beauty routine, switching to refillable products and compostable packaging. Others mentioned becoming more mindful of what goes in each bin and reading recycling labels. These may seem like small shifts, but they’re necessary to reduce contamination and support a more circular, sustainable system.

What made this tour especially meaningful was that it engaged students who didn’t necessarily have a strong background or previous interest in environmental or sustainability topics. Many attended simply out of curiosity and left with a new understanding of how waste systems function and why they matter. The experience helped bridge disciplines and sparked conversations that continued well after the tour. One peer, Alexandra Muñoz, even shared that the visit motivated her to enroll in a waste-focused course offered by the urban planning department the following winter quarter. The fact that the tour resonated with sustainability-minded students and those just starting to explore the topic speaks to its broader educational value and impact across campus.

4. COLLABORATIONS:
This project came together thanks to the encouragement of my classmates Michael Rincon and Alex Seidel. They said they’d be interested in a tour, which gave me the push to reach out to Alex Helou at LA Sanitation. Alex Helou connected me to Robert Zaratsian at Athens Services. From there, we got the green light. Mickey and Alex also helped spread the word and excited people to attend.

5. YOUR ROLE WELL DEFINED:
I led this project, reaching out to contacts, setting up the visit, coordinating the schedule, and handling logistics for the group. This wasn’t tied to a class or job requirement; it was something I initiated because I wanted more people to understand what really happens to our waste and see how it connects to bigger sustainability goals.

6. OPTIONAL NEXT STEPS:
While I’m not planning another MRF tour right now, I hope to visit a local water treatment facility later this quarter. There’s still so much to learn and share regarding environmental infrastructure.