BETH BIGGENS-RAMER

Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District

Beth has been involved in the solid waste industry for over 30 years. Her work with public sector agencies both in Ohio and Arizona has given her an opportunity to implement best solid waste management practices in nationally recognized programs. Beth worked to design and implement progressive waste management programming both in Buckeye, AZ and in Phoenix, AZ that exceeded state reduction goals. The “Reimagine Phoenix” programming remains as the City’s strategy to exceed 40% diversion. As Director of the Medina County Solid Waste District in Ohio, Beth managed the retrofit of a an outdated 500 tpd mixed waste processing facility to a single stream material recovery facility servicing pay-as-you-throw curbside and a network of drop off collection programs. The Medina Solid Waste campus also features a full-time household hazardous waste collection center and a waste transfer facility. Beth is currently the Executive Director of the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, one of the largest in Ohio. She is focused on a new campaign to manage yard and other organic wastes for the 59 communities in the District including Cleveland, and a continuing effort to encourage efforts to eliminate plastic checkout bags in collaboration with Cuyahoga County’s “BYOBag” Program. Beth’s deep respect and appreciation of nature is what led her away from a career in banking to work in the public sector. She believes that as in nature, actions and endeavors should find a balance. There needs to be a financial and environmental balance to achieve sustainability.