Leaders Of Transformation - 514: Leading Companies Towards Zero Waste with Heather Johnson

514: Leading Companies Towards Zero Waste with Heather Johnson

10/08/24 • 22 min

How can businesses use eco-friendly practices to comply with regulations and grow successfully?

This week, Nicole Jansen talks with Heather Johnson, CEO of INGENIUM and an expert in hazardous waste management with over 25 years of industry experience. Heather’s innovative vision has positioned INGENIUM as a leader in waste-to-energy programs and zero waste initiatives, offering businesses sustainable solutions for hazardous waste management.

Heather shares her journey from her first job answering phones at a hazardous waste company to becoming an expert and CEO, shining light on the importance of sustainable practices in business operations. Whether it’s dealing with pharmaceuticals, solvents or mercury, Heather demonstrates how businesses can achieve compliance and grow successfully.

Join us as Heather uncovers practical roadmaps for businesses to manage hazardous waste, details the intricacies of zero waste certification, and underscores the transformative potential of sustainability in the corporate world.

What We Discuss in this Episode

Heather's entry into hazardous waste management
Sustainable practices in hazardous waste management
Roadmap for businesses to manage hazardous waste
Key industries needing waste management services
Repurposing and recycling percentages
Toxic wastes and safer alternatives
Balancing regulations with business growth
Gender dynamics in a male-dominated industry
The future of sustainable waste management and AI

Podcast Highlights

0:00 - Ingenium's Innovative Approach

6:22 - Sustainable Biotech: Repurposing Chemicals Efficiently

8:16 - The Challenges of Replacing Toxic Chemicals

13:05 - Understanding AI's Business Impact

14:38 - The Importance of Environmental Awareness in Households

18:35 - Uncovering Waste Management Issues

21:04 - Advocating for Environmental Awareness

Favorite Quotes

Sustainable Solutions: "If we can find another company that can use the material before it becomes waste, that's a way to be more sustainable and not just throw it away."

Empowering Women: "By learning the industry and being the expert in the conversation, it's hard not to respect me regardless of my gender."

Awareness and Action: "Just be mindful. If you do one thing differently, you're making a difference if the aggregate of the whole is doing that."

Episode Show Notes: https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/business/514-leading-companies-towards-zero-waste-with-heather-johnson

Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com

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How can businesses use eco-friendly practices to comply with regulations and grow successfully?

What We Discuss in this Episode

Heather's entry into hazardous waste management
Sustainable practices in hazardous waste management
Roadmap for businesses to manage hazardous waste
Key industries needing waste management services
Repurposing and recycling percentages
Toxic wastes and safer alternatives
Balancing regulations with business growth
Gender dynamics in a male-dominated industry
The future of sustainable waste management and AI

Podcast Highlights

0:00 - Ingenium's Innovative Approach

6:22 - Sustainable Biotech: Repurposing Chemicals Efficiently

8:16 - The Challenges of Replacing Toxic Chemicals

13:05 - Understanding AI's Business Impact

14:38 - The Importance of Environmental Awareness in Households

18:35 - Uncovering Waste Management Issues

21:04 - Advocating for Environmental Awareness

Favorite Quotes

Sustainable Solutions: "If we can find another company that can use the material before it becomes waste, that's a way to be more sustainable and not just throw it away."

Empowering Women: "By learning the industry and being the expert in the conversation, it's hard not to respect me regardless of my gender."

Awareness and Action: "Just be mindful. If you do one thing differently, you're making a difference if the aggregate of the whole is doing that."

Episode Show Notes: https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/business/514-leading-companies-towards-zero-waste-with-heather-johnson

Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com

________

📣 SUBSCRIBE to the Leaders of Transformation Podcast

👇 CONNECT with Nicole Jansen on Social Media

▶︎ YOUTUBE

▶︎ INSTAGRAM

▶︎ FACEBOOK

▶︎ LINKEDIN

▶︎ X/TWITTER

Previous Episode

513: It Pays to Play! Revolutionizing Workplace Culture Through Play with Kristi Herold

How Can Play Revolutionize Your Workplace?

In this engaging episode, Nicole Jansen sits down with Kristi Herold, founder and CEO of JAM Group and author of It Pays to Play: How Play Improves Business Culture, to explore how integrating fun and play into the workplace can drastically improve culture, productivity and profitability.

Kristi shares her inspiring journey, starting with organizing social events in high school to creating a vibrant company specializing in adult recreational sports leagues and corporate events. With her commitment to fostering fun and connection, Kristi reveals actionable strategies and real-life examples of how play can lead to happier employees, stronger teams, and ultimately, better business outcomes.

Ranked in 2020 Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women and a leader of a global company that has connected millions of people through play, producing and delivering over 4,000 playful corporate events in over 30 countries, Kristi offers a fresh perspective as a businesswoman who understands both the importance of valuing your team and driving business performance.

What We Discuss in this Episode

Why are fun and memorable moments crucial at work?
How can underutilized office amenities become culture-building tools?
What’s wrong with relying solely on annual events for team bonding?
How can regular, creative social interactions foster a great workplace culture?
What is the JAM house system and how does it ignite camaraderie?
How do diverse activities cater to various employee interests?
What are the personal and professional benefits of social sports like pickleball?
How does outsourcing event planning benefit HR and culture teams?
Why is playful and clear communication important in maintaining a vibrant work environment?
How does Kristi’s organization support internal connectivity and enhance employee engagement?

Favorite Quotes

Employee Engagement: “People remember the fun moments, not the boardroom meetings.”

Diverse Activities: “Fun should always be optional—offer diverse activities to cater to different interests."

Leadership and Fun: “Leaders should champion play to drive engagement and productivity, showing it through their own participation.”

Episode Resources

Get the LEADERS OF TRANSFORMATION community PLAYING with this Special Offer:

10 recommendations on how to integrate PLAY at work with Kristi’s free PLAYbook. PLUS 25% off a JAM event with your team: https://www.kristiherold.com/lot25/

Book: It Pays to Play: How Play Improves Business Culture

Website: www.jamgroup.com

Episode Show Notes and Additional Resources:

https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/leadership/513-it-pays-to-play-revolutionizing-workplace-culture-through-play-with-kristi-herold/

Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com

________

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👇 CONNECT with Nicole Jansen on Social Media

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Next Episode

515: How Royal Restrooms Redefined Portable Luxury with David Sauers

How do you scale your business while maintaining a personal touch?

In this week’s episode, host Nicole Jansen sits down with David Sauers, the co-founder and CEO of Royal Restrooms, to explore the story behind transforming a messy industry into a luxurious business opportunity. David shares how a challenging experience at a local event sparked the idea for creating elegant, high-end portable restrooms, and how this concept grew into a successful national franchise. From being a banker and avid golfer to becoming a pioneer in the portable restroom industry, David’s journey is filled with unexpected turns and valuable lessons on transforming frustration into innovation.

Throughout the conversation, David reflects on the challenges of entrepreneurship, from the sacrifices it requires to the importance of balancing work and family life. He also unpacks the power of community engagement, building a business with a personal touch, and the significance of maintaining strong values while navigating growth.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, this episode is packed with insights on pursuing passion, overcoming fear, and creating a meaningful business that serves both clients and communities. Tune in for a heartfelt discussion that inspires listeners to take action and consider, "Why not us, and why not now?"

What We Discuss in this Episode

Inspiration Behind Royal Restrooms
Transition from Banking to Entrepreneurship
The Role of a Business Partner
Balancing Family and Business
Community Engagement as a Business Value
Franchising with a Personal Touch
Lessons from Failure and Success
Challenges of the Entrepreneurial Lifestyle
The Value of Adapting to Change
Motivation for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Podcast Highlights

0:00 - Introduction

1:24 - How a family festival experience inspired Royal Restrooms

5:47 - Why partnership is crucial in entrepreneurship

8:15 – Learning how to balance family and business

12:31 - Navigating entrepreneurial stress

16:08 – Creating healthy work-life balance

20:44 - Family-Oriented Business Culture

25:23 - Community Commitment

30:15 - Values and Business

35:10 - Franchisee success

38:05 - Franchisor growth

42:27 - Adapting to market changes

Join us in this heart-centered entrepreneurial conversation with David Sauers, gaining insights into the dynamic blend of business acumen and personal values that drive sustained entrepreneurial success.

Favorite Quotes

On Business Philosophy: "Our aim has always been to create a family-oriented business structure that supports personalized service and community involvement."

On Community Engagement: "We set a target for our franchisees to achieve at least $25,000 in in-kind donations to community nonprofits, emphasizing our role beyond just business."

On Sustainable Growth: "Our low franchise fees and royalties ensure that the focus remains on the success of our franchisees, fostering a sustainable business model."

Episode Show Notes and Resources: https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/business/515-how-royal-restrooms-redefined-portable-luxury-with-david-sauers/

Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com

________

📣 SUBSCRIBE to the Leaders of Transformation Podcast

👇 CONNECT with Nicole Jansen on Social Media

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Leaders Of Transformation - 514: Leading Companies Towards Zero Waste with Heather Johnson

Transcript

00:00:00.799

Welcome to the Leaders of Transformation podcast. The number one show for business leaders and entrepreneurs passionate about uplifting others and making a greater impact in the world. Now here's your host, transformational coach, speaker, and business advisor, Nicole Jansen.

00:00:21.385

How can businesses use eco friendly practices to not only comply with regulations, but also grow successfully. Our guest today is Heather Johnson. She is the CEO o