Discover the next generation of circular economy solutions at our free Researched by Grads webinar! Hear directly from emerging researchers who are transforming academic research into practical solutions for today's sustainability challenges.
This session features Neha Karanjia, who will share insights from her Fulbright research on food waste recycling systems in South Korea and explore what the U.S. can learn from countries that have achieved exceptionally high food waste diversion rates. Lola Kolodisner will discuss the potential of a bottle bill (deposit-return system) in Arizona and how it could improve recycling rates, reduce litter, and support a more circular economy.
Whether you work in sustainability, local government, waste management, higher education, or are simply interested in innovative circular economy solutions, this webinar offers fresh perspectives backed by research and real-world case studies.
Speakers & Presentation Summaries
Neha Karanjia is a Fulbright Researcher studying food waste recycling systems in South Korea, where nearly 98% of food waste is diverted from landfills. A graduate of Arizona State University, she previously mapped Phoenix's full food waste supply chain for her honors thesis, identifying key breakdowns in circularity. Her current research builds on this foundation by examining how South Korea's systems function in practice and what lessons they may offer elsewhere. Neha has worked with the Center for Biodiversity Outcomes at Arizona State University and is currently affiliated with Seoul National University.
Presentation Summary
Korea measures what the U.S. ignores, and the U.S. studies what Korea can't track—and the gap between them reveals something important about how we design circular food systems.
Drawing on Fulbright research that includes facility visits, cultural fieldwork, and comparative analysis of waste data across South Korea and Japan, Neha will explore how different approaches to measuring and managing food waste shape circular economy outcomes. Her presentation offers practical insights for practitioners interested in closing food waste loops and designing more effective systems.
Lola Kolodisner is a graduating Environmental Science student at Northern Arizona University with an emphasis in Environmental Communications and a minor in Biological Sciences. Her work focuses on circular economy strategies, waste reduction, microbiology, and environmental policy. Through her internship with Circular Arizona, she researched bottle bill programs and deposit-return systems to improve Arizona's recycling, reduce litter, and create a more circular Arizona.
Presentation Summary
Lola's presentation explores the potential of a bottle bill, or deposit-return system, in Arizona as a strategy to improve recycling rates, reduce beverage container litter, and support a more circular economy. She will discuss the challenges Arizona currently faces with recycling and waste diversion, explain how bottle bills work, highlight successful programs such as Oregon's deposit return system, and address common considerations, including retailer participation, rural accessibility, and equitable program design.