Employee Spotlight: Dana Reising - Leading Toledo's Green Revolution

In Toledo's pursuit of a greener future, Dana Reising stands at the forefront, leading the charge. Not only is she the Sustainability Manager, but she's also a devoted mother determined to make Toledo eco-friendly for her two-year-old.

Reising began working with the City in 2019 as a city planner in developmental services. When the opportunity to become the Sustainability Manager arose, she seized it. Her educational background aligned perfectly – she studied geography at Bowling Green State University for her undergrad and earned her master's in applied climatology at Michigan State. During her master's program, she researched wind and crafted a climatological atlas of wind in the US, publishing several articles with the support of her advisors.

Sustainability is a vast field, but Reising breaks it down for the layperson: "Essentially, it is making sure that everything we do – from turning on computers to driving to work – is done sustainably. We want to ensure that the energy we use is renewable," She said. "I always like to think of it like back in high school science class where we discussed conservation of energy."

Reising explains that using fossil fuels involves extracting energy from underground sources, which is then released and dispersed. This includes the energy derived from gasoline to fuel your car or heat your home, ultimately contributing to an accumulation of energy in the atmosphere.

"Since the Industrial Revolution, we've observed the profound impact on our climate," Reising said. "More and more, we're witnessing extreme weather events – from bitter cold to scorching heat. I've personally experienced the consequences, such as the Point Place tornado, which affected my family too."

For Dana, sustainability boils down to the elemental principles of "reduce, reuse, recycle." The initiatives she spearheads for the City focus on assessing operations and what the City can do to be less impactful on the environment and reduce greenhouse gases.

One of Reising's initial projects is to enhance recycling at one government center, which currently lacks bottle, glass, or can recycling. She is also working to beautify the landfill and hopes to initiate recycling enforcement to encourage residents to embrace sustainability.

"I'd say just go back to basics. Residents don't have to make huge changes, but if you're holding something recyclable and you want to throw it away and see a recycling bin, definitely use it. If you want to go an extra step, take it home with you and recycle it at home," Reising said.

Reising emphasizes that sustainability can be elemental. "I still remember, back in third grade, we sang a song about 'reduce, reuse, recycle.' I share the same message with every resident: try to cut down on your consumption, and if you must discard something, consider recycling,” Reising said.

“There are ample opportunities for this now, including not only traditional recycling but also the new composting program. It's currently in its pilot phase, offering a promising start to diverting food waste away from landfills. Instead, it can be repurposed for compost, contributing to the growth of vegetables, plants, and overall vegetation, completing a sustainable cycle."

Considering herself an official Toledoan, Reising has lived here longer than anywhere else. "I was born in Seattle and then lived in Texas, Michigan, Indiana, and then I ended up here. And now, this is my home. I'm so glad to be raising a family here," Reising said.

With Toledo as her home and her role as the Sustainability Manager with the City, Reising believes it is more important than ever to contribute substantially to Toledo’s commitment to sustainability. "A healthy environment has proven benefits, providing people with essentials like clean water, fresh air, and access to parks. The ability to walk to school and enjoy the beauty of nature, I believe, are fundamental rights."