Natasha Dyer, M.A.

Natasha Dyer, M.A.

Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Specialist

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location of Natasha Dyer, M.A.Atlanta, Georgia, United States

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Sustainable Materials Management Program Manager | TRUE Zero Waste Advisor

  • Education

    • Antioch University-Los Angeles

      2013 - 2015
      Master of Arts (MA) Urban Sustainability

      All capstone and thesis work focused on organics waste diversion from landfill as a means to mitigate climate change. Thesis expressly focused on California's AB 1826 that was set to go into effect in 2016, juxtaposing the bill against the city I lived in at the time (Long Beach, CA) and how they could create a roadmap to not only comply with AB 1826 but how they could surpass the bill's requirements.

    • Long Beach City College

      2016 -
      Coursework Public Administration
    • Santa Monica College

      2012 - 2012
      Certificate Recycling and Resource Management
    • The University of Edinburgh

      2020 - 2020
      Certificate Sustainable Global Food Systems
  • Experience

    • SCS Engineers

      May 2015 - Nov 2015
      Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Specialist

      ● Consulted with municipal and county staff to train compliance with recycling ordinances for all waste streams (paper, plastics, carboard, electronics, food, etc.)● Conducted waste characterization studies and generated reports, contributing to sustainable materials management planning ● Researched grant opportunities and market potentials for anaerobic digester construction around the country and markets for digester byproducts (compost, liquid digestate, biofuel).

    • Waste Resources of Gardena, Inc.

      Nov 2015 - Jan 2017
      Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Specialist

      ● Worked with businesses and multi-family owners to ready them for compliance with California's Commercial Organics Waste Recycling Law AB 1826 via in-person PowerPoint presentations, site audits to right-size bins for 3-source systems (organics, recycling, landfill), and creation of outreach and education materials using Adobe Creative Suites. ● Drafted service contracts totaling 2200 tons/year of diversion of recyclables and organics from landfill. Yearly reporting to regulatory agencies.● Partnered exemplary business recyclers with local councils and environmental coalitions to promote water and energy efficiency programming. Show less

    • City of Atlanta

      Jan 2017 - Jan 2023

      ● Collaborated with other City and County departments (Health, Police, Revenue, Zoning) to improve licensing and permitting processes for new food businesses ● Secured and administered $25K EPA grant teaching new food businesses how to divert food from landfill via donation and composting● Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) Planner – attended monthly NPU meetings to present various items sent by City government for NPU review, responded to questions about issues of land use & zoning, and recorded official votes. Show less ● As part of the City’s Climate Action and Food Access Plans, helped secure and administer almost $500K in grant funding (NRDC, USDA, EPA, Microsoft) to aid in wasted food diversion from landfill via projects that focused on the acceleration of outreach and education (reduce), edible food recovery from commercial vendors to feed food insecure residents (reuse), and the creation of novel decentralized community composting systems that aid municipally-run urban agriculture projects (recycle). Created and managed City's website focusing on solutions to wasted food>>https://www.aglanta.org/food-matters● Creator of the City's 8-week Sustainability Ambassador Leadership Program that gives participants a glimpse into the work being done in the Office, other City departments and by external partners to make the City more environmentally, economically, and equitably sustainable and resilient via ENERGY EFFICIENCY (green buildings), RECYCLING, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE (water), URBAN AG & COMPOSTING, and TRANSPORTATION. Split up in 2 cohorts, graduates around 75 people each year. Each cohort completes a capstone project they decide on. Show less

      • Community Programs Manager | Department of City Planning, OHCD

        Aug 2021 - Jan 2023
      • Program Manager | Mayor's Office of Sustainability & Resilience

        Jan 2017 - Jul 2021
    • City of Austell

      Aug 2021 - now
      Board of Variance & Zoning Appeals

      The Board hears and decides on residential and/or commercial land development cases that request interpretations and/or variances to the City of Austell's zoning and land development codes.

    • The SWEEP Standard

      Nov 2022 - Aug 2024
      Acting Executive Director & Program Manager

      ● Work with President and Board of Directors to update 5-year strategic plan with 1-3 years of implementation methods encouraging and fostering cooperation and teamwork ● Identify and apply for funding opportunities and strategic partnerships to rollout SWEEP’s Standard that certifies local government sustainable materials management ● Research, design and deliver presentations to a variety of candidates within the solid waste industry for potential membership, certification, and strategic partnership opportunities ● Hired and oversee a communications team for industry outreach through digital channels (Wordpress, Mailchimp, LinkedIn)● Collaborate with software engineers to enhance SWEEP's online certification portal ● Facilitate monthly webinars for materials management professionals around the nation● Recruit and engage new members: e.g. National Stewardship Action Council (the leader in Extended Producer Responsiblity law creation in the United States), Circular Economy Coalition, Earth911, Carton Council, TRUE Zero Waste, United States Composting Council Show less

    • Beyond Zero Waste, LLC

      Sept 2023 - now
      Owner, Project Consultant

      Consult with local governments and commercial sector on creation of new long-range sustainable materials management plans, focusing on increased revenues and environmental sustainability

    • WRAP

      Aug 2024 - now
      Senior Behavior Change Specialist, Food & Textiles
  • Licenses & Certifications

    • TRUE Advisor

      USGBC Georgia
      May 2023
  • Volunteer Experience

    • GA Chapter - Advocacy & Policy Committee

      Issued by US Composting Council on Apr 2024
      US Composting CouncilAssociated with Natasha Dyer, M.A.
    • Food Recovery & Donation Volunteer

      Issued by Second Helpings Atlanta (SHA) on May 2021
      Second Helpings Atlanta (SHA)Associated with Natasha Dyer, M.A.
    • Community Cabinet Member, Sustainability

      Issued by Cobb County Government on Mar 2023
      Cobb County GovernmentAssociated with Natasha Dyer, M.A.
    • National - Steering Committee Member

      Issued by US Composting Council on Sept 2017
      US Composting CouncilAssociated with Natasha Dyer, M.A.
    • Board Member

      Issued by Green Education Inc. on Jan 2016
      Green Education Inc.Associated with Natasha Dyer, M.A.
    • Member of the Board of Directors

      Issued by Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. on Jan 2015
      Food Finders Food Bank, Inc.Associated with Natasha Dyer, M.A.
    • Intern, Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal, 2nd District City Council Member

      Issued by City of Long Beach on Mar 2015
      City of Long BeachAssociated with Natasha Dyer, M.A.
    • Climate Change Fellow

      Issued by Organizing for Action on Jan 2012
      Organizing for ActionAssociated with Natasha Dyer, M.A.
    • Project Manager

      Issued by USGBC-Los Angeles on Jan 2013
      USGBC-Los AngelesAssociated with Natasha Dyer, M.A.