Ron Gonen: Recycling entrepreneur turns to politics in order to green NYC

When Ron Gonen, co-founder of RecycleBank stepped down as CEO of his company, he had to determine his next move. It wasn't until he was approached by Michael Bloomberg, the 108th Mayor of NYC, that it all became clear what his next steps should be.

Now as the Deputy Commissioner of Sanitation, Recycling and Sustainability, Ron is working on developing and implementing a plan to divert 30% of New York's waste stream from landfills by 2017. "If we can figure out what to do with our waste stream here in the city," he says, "it can act as a model for the rest of the country because our waste stream is the most complex in North America."

In the 27th episode of SRO Conversations, Ron discusses some surprising facts when it comes to NYC's waste stream; dives into how working in the world of politics differs from the familiar world of entrepreneurship; how to motivate people through meaning; and living one's life with integrity.  

For more conversations, visit: www.summerrayne.net/podcast/

To follow the conversation, look for us @sroakes and check out New York City's recycling and composting scene through @NYCRecycles.