Inside the Effort to Keep Our National Parks Clean Beautiful

In this episode of “Do Beautiful Things,” host Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, explores how collaborative, innovative approaches are making America’s national parks cleaner and greener for all. Special guest Ashley McAvoy, Director of Programs and Partnerships at the National Park Foundation, joins Jenny Lawson to discuss the unique challenges of managing waste in parks ranging from Cape Cod to Yellowstone. The conversation highlights new solutions for recycling and waste reduction—and how every visitor can play a part. A standout moment in the episode features the National Park Foundation-funded project at Colter Bay Campground in Grand Teton National Park. There, Keep America Beautiful partnered with TerraCycle and Grand Teton Lodge Company to introduce a repurposed shipping container as a dedicated recycling hub for hard-to-recycle items like fishing line and snack wrappers. This innovative and flexible infrastructure helps visitors keep the park clean and supports a more circular economy, even in remote areas. Tune in to discover how education, smart infrastructure, and the actions of everyday people are helping to preserve these breathtaking spaces—and to learn practical ways you can make a difference on your next visit. Show Notes:00:00 "Protecting Parks, Reducing Waste"05:50 "Leading by Example in Sustainability"06:44 Activism: Rent for Earth Living11:07 "Reuse Innovations in National Parks"14:29 Sustainability Program Driven by Data18:46 Reducing Plastic Waste in Parks21:56 "Recycling Challenges in Parks"24:03 "Building Environmental Stewards Everywhere"26:57 "Preserving America's Beautiful Spaces"