Do Beautiful Things · Season 2 · Episode 17
The Columbus Way: Growing Industry and Green Communities Together
September 12, 2025 · Hosted by Jennifer Lawson
How one Ohio city is proving economic growth and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.
How one Ohio city is proving economic growth and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand
In this episode of “Do Beautiful Things,” host Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, welcomes Columbus, Ohio Mayor Andrew Ginther for a powerful conversation about transforming cities through environmental leadership and community partnerships.
Mayor Ginther, fresh off his term as President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, shares Columbus’s ambitious journey toward becoming a national leader in circular innovation. Hear how the city is tackling waste, building a robust recycling infrastructure—including North America’s largest public-private recycling center—and engaging both businesses and neighborhoods in meaningful climate action. From innovative food scrap drop-off programs to creative reuse convenience centers, Mayor Ginther reveals how Columbus is proving that prosperous economies and sustainable communities go hand-in-hand.
We’ll dive into the building blocks of an effective climate action plan, the value of regional thinking, and why mayors are perfectly positioned to drive real change—regardless of politics. Plus, discover the outsized impact ordinary residents (and even third graders!) can have in making America cleaner, greener, and more beautiful in time for our country’s 250th birthday.
Tune in for practical inspiration, stories of hope, and ideas you can take back to your own community. For more details and ways to get involved, visit kab.org. Join us in our mission to keep America beautiful and do beautiful things—together.
“There’s not a Democratic or Republican way to pick up the trash, plow the streets, recycle, or keep neighborhoods safe and clean.”
— Mayor Andrew Ginther, Columbus, OH
“I’m not asking everyone to do everything, but I’m asking everyone to do something to do their part.”
— Mayor Andrew Ginther, Columbus, OH
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Keep America Beautiful®, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful® strives to End Littering, Improve Recycling, and Beautify America’s Communities. We believe everyone has a right to live in a clean, green, and beautiful community, and shares a responsibility to contribute to that vision. The organization is driven by the work and passion of 700 Keep America Beautiful® affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the collaborative support of corporate partners, social and civic service organizations, academia, municipalities, elected officials, and individuals. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, and YouTube. Donate and take action at kab.org. MEDIA CONTACTS: McCall Vrydaghs Keep America Beautiful® communications@kab.org