Welcome to Do Beautiful Things, a podcast hosted by Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful. In this podcast we will discuss ending litter, the truth behind recycling, and enhancing communities to create a more sustainable and beautiful future. Our engaging discussions are not just interviews; they are insightful conversations that illuminate the path to a greener tomorrow.
What Americans Really Think About Litter: The Perception Gap
Why do 94% of Americans see litter as a major problem, yet many fail to notice progress even as national litter rates decline?
In this episode, Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, sits down with Wendy Salomon, Head of Reputation at The Harris Poll, to explore the surprising disconnect between public perception and hard data. Together, they unpack what truly motivates people to care for their communities, the intersection of civic pride and corporate responsibility, and how small local actions are sparking nationwide change just in time for America's 250th birthday.
15 Jun 2026
From Highways to Coastlines: New Research Uncovers the True Scope of Litter in America
In this episode of Do Beautiful Things, Jenny Lawson talks with Veronica Roof, HDR’s national solid waste planning leader, about the groundbreaking 2026 Keep America Beautiful National Litter Study. Together, they explore how innovative research methods and robust data collection are uncovering the true scope of litter across the country, informing strategies to reduce waste, and inspiring action for cleaner, healthier communities nationwide.
Show Notes
00:00 Discovering a career in waste management
03:43 Beginning the litter project journey
08:46 Improving data analysis methods
11:56 Preparing for fieldwork and sample sites
15:40 Developing coastal litter research methodology
19:12 Discussing waste reduction programs
23:32 Discussing litter reduction goals
24:59 Understanding the 2026 Litter Study
29 May 2026
Counting 35 Billion Pieces of Litter, Part 2: What the 2026 National Litter Study Reveals Next
In part two of this two-part episode of Do Beautiful Things, host Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful (KAB), talks with David Scott, PhD, KAB’s Senior Vice President of Data and Research, about the latest insights from the 2026 National Litter Study. Together, they unpack surprising litter trends across the United States—from the scale of coastal pollution to the often-overlooked problem of small litter and the rise in cardboard and vehicle debris. They also highlight encouraging progress, including a significant decline in cigarette butt litter, and discuss how prevention, community action, and smarter solutions can help build cleaner, greener communities for everyone.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
708,986
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 57 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
50
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
71
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