PZW Specialist Spotlight - Jeff Barczewski

Jeff Barczewski has spent enough time around waste diversion programs to know that the best results rarely come from one person working alone. They happen when customers, composters, haulers and other partners bring their experience to the table and build a plan that works in practice.

As a Product & Zero Waste Specialist for Eco-Products’ South Region, Jeff helps make those connections, keep food waste out of landfills and turn ambitious goals into programs people can actually use.

Jeff brings years of firsthand experience developing waste diversion programs for corporate offices, restaurants, sports venues, events and festivals throughout the United States. Before joining Eco-Products, he worked for a Composter Hauler Distributor partner in Northwest Arkansas, where he sold compostable products, ran zero-waste events and partnered with local composters, recyclers and municipalities.

That experience taught him that no single organization can make a composting program succeed on its own. Products, collection systems, hauling and processing all have to work together.

“It all comes down to relationships, collaboration and purpose,” Jeff says. “You have to bring people together and understand what each one needs.”

In his PZW role, Jeff works with customers to keep food waste out of landfills while helping create opportunities for composters and haulers to grow their businesses. He enjoys helping organizations move from interest to action by developing programs they can realistically put into practice.

For organizations that are new to compostables, Jeff’s advice is encouraging and straightforward.

“First, pat yourself on the back,” he says. “You have decided to do something positive. Then build a plan to collect and compost those materials from the beginning. You will not be perfect overnight, but every step matters.”

He also encourages organizations to share their results. A successful composting program can show customers, employees and others in the industry what is possible.

“You may be surprised by how much waste can be diverted, turned into compost and put back to use in the community,” Jeff says. “Tell people what you accomplished.”

Jeff has seen the results of that approach firsthand. He developed a strategy for a large annual corporate event that achieved average diversion rates above 90 percent over five years. The experience reinforced his belief that meaningful progress comes from planning, consistency and a willingness to keep improving.

One of the best ways to change someone’s understanding of composting, he says, is to take them inside a well-run facility.

“Let them see the material arrive and understand why a clean stream matters,” Jeff says. “Let them feel the warmth of compost during the process and then see the finished product. It changes the way you think about waste.”

Jeff is optimistic because more people are recognizing that waste must be managed differently. What excites him most is meeting new people, learning new things and helping others see the possibilities.

“You won’t be perfect overnight, but every little bit makes a difference,” he says. “You’ll be amazed at how much waste can be diverted, turned into compost and put back to use in the community.”

“When everyone sees the part they can play, waste stops being just a problem to manage,” Jeff says. “It becomes an opportunity to create something valuable for the community.”