Nursing the Planet Back to Health With Sustainable Recycling
Trish Trash was born from the vision of Trish Barron, a Certified Perioperative Nurse, who recognized the critical gap in the recycling of medical supply packaging.
As a Florida-based, not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to transforming clean medical waste management from an obligation into a commitment to sustainability excellence. By linking recycled materials to carbon credits, we will provide a transparent and accountable recycling process that benefits both the environment and your facility.
Join us in making a significant environmental impact—one recyclable at a time.
Our Story
Trish Trash was founded on the belief that one person can make a significant difference.
With over 38 years of experience in healthcare, our founder witnessed firsthand the sheer volume of medical supply packaging and materials and the critical need for sustainable recycling solutions in healthcare. She saw a gap in accountability and the potential to transform clean medical materials and packaging into reusable resources.
Motivated by these insights, she founded Trish Trash in 2020, a grassroots, Florida-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating a transparent and responsible recycling process.
Today, Trish Trash is a team of passionate advocates committed to environmental stewardship and community engagement. Our journey is one of commitment, innovation, and a relentless drive to improve the way we manage medical waste. At Trish Trash, recycling is not just a process but a promise to create a cleaner, greener future.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple: to inspire and empower people to recycle, reduce waste, and protect our planet.
Trish Trash is more than just a recycling service—we're a community of passionate individuals working together to make a positive impact. By linking recycled materials to carbon credits, we will soon provide a fully transparent and accountable recycling process that benefits both the environment and your facility and community.
Together, we can create a sustainable future for generations to come.
Holding Ourselves Fully Accountable
We are dedicated to promoting responsible and sustainable practices that protect our planet for future generations. Our commitment to eco-friendly actions ensures environmental stewardship and ethical accountability in all that we do. Our founder's vision drives us to see recycling through to upcycling and reuse, ensuring full traceability and transparency every step of the way.
Cultivating Community Engagement
We believe in the power of community. Trish Trash actively fosters a sense of belonging and involvement, encouraging shared responsibility and collective action towards a greener future. By working together, we build stronger, more resilient communities dedicated to environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Pioneering Recycling Innovations
Innovation is at the heart of Trish Trash. From recycling traceability to fully funded carbon credits, we pursue creative solutions to enhance recycling efforts and sustainability. Our forward-thinking strategies allow us to tackle recycling challenges head-on, turning waste into valuable resources through upcycling and reuse.
Empowering Sustainable Action
Collective empowerment is key to our mission. Trish Trash provides businesses, communities, and individuals with the tools and resources needed to make a positive environmental impact. We enable you to take action and drive meaningful change in recycling and sustainability, making it easy to contribute to a greener future.
Upholding Transparency and Trust
Integrity guides our every move. We operate with transparency, honesty, and accountability in all aspects of our business. Trish Trash is committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical behavior, ensuring that our processes are open, trustworthy, and beneficial to both the environment, the communities we serve, and our stakeholders.
Our Values
Meet The Team: The Faces Behind Trish Trash
CEO/Founder
Trish Barron
Leading the Charge for Sustainable Healthcare Recycling
Trish Barron (R.N., C.N.O.R.), the CEO and Founder of Trish Trash, Inc., is a visionary leader who has seamlessly blended her passion for patient care with a commitment to environmental stewardship. As a registered nurse certified in operating room nursing, Trish's dedication to caring for individuals has evolved into a mission of caring for the earth.
Her journey began with the realization that vast amounts of clean medical packaging could be recycled instead of ending up in landfills or incinerators. Motivated by this insight, Trish founded Trish Trash, a grassroots initiative transforming waste management in healthcare. She organized operating room nurses and staff to responsibly recycle plastics and cardboard packaging, making Trish Trash a trailblazer in full-cycle recycling.
Under her guidance, Trish Trash has diverted thousands of tons of waste from landfills, making a significant environmental impact. Trish continues to lead the charge in promoting sustainable practices within the healthcare industry and beyond, inspiring others to join her mission.
Cofounder
Jim Pennington
A Champion of Sustainability and Innovation
Jim Pennington, a proud sponsor and benefactor of Trish Trash, has dedicated his career to making a difference in both technology and sustainability. As the former CEO of GoFish, a Florida-based hurricane recovery contractor, Jim led efforts to help communities in Fort Myers and beyond rebuild after devastating storms. His initiatives over the past seven years have recycled over 7,500 tons of roofing materials, keeping them out of landfills and contributing to a greener planet.
Before his impactful work with Trish Trash and GoFish, Jim enjoyed a distinguished 30-year career in high tech. He was an early leader in video conferencing and a pioneer in cloud computing. As a co-founder of The Learning Station, the first paid subscriber Software-as-a-Service educational service, Jim played a key role in shaping digital learning, later selling the company to Mattel, Inc.
Jim’s journey exemplifies his commitment to innovation and sustainability, driving Trish Trash's mission to transform waste into valuable resources.
COO
Joe Crowley
Joe Crowley, COO of Trish Trash, brings over 30 years of logistics expertise to our mission of transforming waste management. With extensive experience in the Eurasia region, including the Black Sea Region, Caucasus, and Central Asia, Joe has held pivotal roles in logistics and the energy industry. As former CEO of Poti Sea Port in Georgia, and through leadership roles with APM Terminals, Sea Land, and Blue Stream Pipeline, Joe has honed his skills in management and strategic planning. Beyond his professional achievements, Joe is dedicated to making a positive impact. He serves as a board member of the Believe Foundation, supporting charitable, cultural, and educational activities in the Republic of Georgia. This foundation focuses on improving the lives of socially vulnerable children, families, individuals with disabilities, and disadvantaged youth. At Trish Trash, Joe’s leadership and vision are instrumental in driving our sustainability goals and fostering a greener future.
Steering Sustainable Logistics at Trish Trash
Strategy
Traver Kennedy
Traver Kennedy brings unparalleled expertise to Trish Trash as a Strategic Advisor, supporting our mission for a Circular Sustainable Economy. A globally recognized technology and social entrepreneur, Traver is widely regarded as one of the key architects behind modern cloud computing. He founded Sustainable Growth Partners LLC (SGP), a consultancy championing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Traver's illustrious career includes serving as Chairman and CEO of Joi Scientific, Inc., at the Space Life Science Labs at Kennedy Space Center. His previous role as Chief Strategist at Citrix Systems (NASDAQ: CTXS) saw him contribute to its status as a top-tier software company. An advocate for excellence, Traver judges the Neil Armstrong Award of Excellence and has chaired the ASP Industry Consortium, an influential advocacy group of 500 tech companies and 165 nations. At Trish Trash, his strategic vision and innovative approach are pivotal in advancing our sustainability initiatives.
Visionary Advisor in Sustainable Technology
Recycling Service Coordinator
Madison Barron
Madison Barron, our Recycling Service Coordinator, brings a fresh perspective to Trish Trash. A recent graduate of Centre College with degrees in International Studies and Anthropology, Madi has been deeply influenced by her family's commitment to sustainability. As the daughter of CEO Tricia Barron, she grew up with a strong sense of environmental stewardship. Madi actively pursues her passion for environmental issues, driving our recycling programs forward with innovative ideas. Her vibrant energy and dedication to sustainability are key to advancing Trish Trash’s mission of transforming waste management and fostering a greener future.
Championing Sustainability at Trish Trash
Recycling Services Manager
Jacob Ratliff
Jacob Ratliff, our Recycling Services Manager at Trish Trash, brings a passion for environmental stewardship and a commitment to ending plastic pollution. A graduate of Centre College with a degree in Environmental Studies, Jacob has dedicated his career to addressing critical environmental issues. At Trish Trash, he is excited to contribute to building a circular economy, ensuring that waste is transformed into valuable resources.
Championing Circular Economy at Trish Trash
Media
Alissa Allen
Alissa Allen serves as a Strategic Advisor to Trish Trash, bringing over two decades of experience in guiding top-tier brands, technology companies, not-for-profit organizations, and government entities through strategy, marketing, communications, and innovation. Her extensive expertise encompasses content strategy, CRM, customer engagement, social media analysis, digital marketing, and sustainability practices. Alissa’s award-winning work has earned recognition at prestigious events such as Retail Week, World Tourism Market, and the Presidential Summit on Cultural and Heritage Tourism. She has collaborated with global giants like Amazon, Apple, Disney, Google, Nike, and Netflix. Her leadership roles include serving on the Board of Directors of VISIT FLORIDA and the marketing committees of the Greater Fort Lauderdale and Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureaus. At Trish Trash, Alissa's strategic vision and innovative approach are instrumental in driving our mission to transform waste management and promote sustainability.
Strategic Advisor Fueling Innovation at Trish Trash
Engineering Coordinator
Eli Steinberg
Eli Steinberg, our Engineering Coordinator at Trish Trash, combines his passion for recycling with a keen eye for innovation. A Mechanical Engineering graduate, Eli is dedicated to finding creative solutions to enhance our recycling procedures and boost efficiencies. His diligent efforts help Trish Trash achieve its ever-growing recycling goals, making a meaningful impact on waste management and environmental sustainability. Eli's expertise and innovative spirit are crucial to our mission of transforming waste into valuable resources.
Innovating Recycling at Trish Trash
Our Impact: Meaningful Change Through Recycling
300 Tons Medical Supply Packaging
Lee County, Florida
Impact isn’t just about numbers; it’s about meaningful change.
Trish Trash has diverted 300 tons of medical supply packaging from landfills in Lee County, Florida alone, contributing to a healthier planet.
10,000 Community Service Hours for Florida Students
Elite Sports Events
Florida Bright Future
500 Community Clean Ups
Florida
4,000 Tons of Roofing Materials Recycled
Florida
Trish Trash partners with local community groups, including Florida Bright Futures, Elite Sports Events, and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), to organize clean-ups and recycling events. These events provide the opportunity for students to earn community service hours.
Our initiatives have made a significant environmental impact, from diverting tons of medical supply packaging from landfills to educating communities on sustainable practices. We are proud of the difference we’re making in healthcare facilities and beyond, reducing landfill waste, saving energy, and conserving resources.
