The Road to Zero Waste

Written by: Gabriella Lewis, Ohio State University

December 5, 2025

Growing up, I always thought that to make an impact, others needed to physically see the difference you made. But since starting my journey at OSU in 2024, I realized that recognition from others is not what makes something impactful.

I created a ReusePass account in August 2024 after noticing the distinct green containers at many of my dining locations. I was pleased with the program because it offered an easy, on-the-go option for storing my food.

While skimming through the website, I checked the status of how long I had kept my container and when I needed to return it. During that process, I also saw the number of waste disposals I had reduced by reusing these containers. Just seeing that impact inspired me to find more ways to live sustainably while encouraging others to think about sustainability in their own lives.

I thought to myself, “Why not further advance my role in the community that fueled my sustainable journey?” So, at the end of my freshman year, I applied to become a ReusePass Ambassador. After being accepted, I attended workshops hosted by Sara Saucedo, the Client Success Manager at ReusePass, who has done phenomenal work introducing us to practical ways to be more sustainable. She shared tips on how we can responsibly dispose of waste in college. Taking her advice, I began recycling paper, cardboard, cans, and more. I wanted to further advance these sustainable strategies by sharing them with the public, so I found an internship at OSU called the “Zero Waste Intern.”

During this internship, I had the opportunity to interact with fans at OSU home football games by guiding them on how to properly dispose of items in compost or recycling bins. Not only did this educate fans about the proper ways to dispose of waste it also benefited farmers and those who are incarnated.

Ohio State partners with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and Ohio Penal Industries, where gameday recycling and compost are sorted and composted. Through this program, incarcerated individuals have the opportunity to earn wages, develop organization skills, and can even earn composting certifications all while contributing to sustainability and rehabilitation.

My journey to sustainability and becoming a ReusePass Ambassador has helped me understand that sustainability impacts not only the environment, but also the development of critical skills and the creation of meaningful jobs.