Waste-Free Dayton, Inc.

Our Story

Natalie Warrick had embarked on her waste-free journey a little over a year prior to deciding to create a Facebook group not long after the Covid pandemic started in April 2020. Her goal for Waste-Free Dayton was for members to encourage one another and share ideas about how to live waste-free and more sustainably, while caring for one another and for the planet.

In the fall of 2020, Natalie first met Brett Bogan, who was in the early stages of a waste-free journey with his family. They started talking more about not only sustainability, but environmental and social justice. Brett joined the WFD Facebook group in November 2020, and became more active posting and commenting in the group. 

In the winter of 2021, Natalie decided to do a litter cleanup event in an area near her own neighborhood. There was a stretch of road she drove often and she could see how much trash was accumulating on the sides of the road. That cleanup led to two more cleanups in the same area in March, and at one of those cleanups, Brett posed the question to Natalie about whether she has considered taking Waste-Free Dayton to the next level, forming a nonprofit. Natalie definitely had that thought in the back of her mind during that first year, and enthusiastically replied “yes, let’s talk more about it!”. In April, Natalie brought Brett on board officially to help with the organization, and in the summer of 2021, they formally created the organization by filing all the necessary paperwork with the state, and applied for nonprofit status, which was approved in early fall.

WFD is now in its 6th year overall, and we hope to continue to reach and inspire more people in the Miami Valley.

Our Mission

To promote and implement solutions for a healthier and more sustainable future

Addressing Plastic Pollution

Single-use plastics are an ever increasing threat to our health and to the environment. We focus on educating the public and raising awareness of the issue, to advocate for change including placing more responsibilities on corporations, and promote sustainable alternatives to plastics.

Reducing Waste

It is estimated that up to 40% of food produced in the U.S. is wasted every year. By promoting composting and working with partner agencies in the Dayton area, we aim to reduce the amount of food wasted in the region. 

We educate the community about living more sustainably and waste-free, and to increase recycling certain material instead of sending it to the landfill. 

Community Rejuvenation

Everybody should enjoy the benefits that come with living in healthy and sustainable communities. We organize litter pickup events in Dayton, and partner with other organizations who are working to improve their local communities. This focus area also includes community gardens, tree planting, and other beautification efforts.