Welcome to the Sustainable Design Lab podcast by Veritiv. Hosted by Chris Bradley and Brodie Vander Dussen, this show is your go-to resource for cutting-edge insights into the world of sustainable packaging. Join us as we reimagine packaging innovation and turn every decision into a powerful act of sustainability. In this episode, Andrew Bohenko, the Sustainable Initiatives Manager at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, dives into what it actually takes to operationalize sustainability at a massive scale. This podcast features guest speakers expressing their own company’s products, views, and experiences. Any statements regarding environmental attributes, such as biodegradability, compostability, degradation, or “zero waste” claims, are representations made solely by the guest about their own products or technologies. Veritiv Operating Company has not independently substantiated or verified such claims. Under the FTC’s Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (16 C.F.R. Part 260), environmental performance may depend on disposal conditions, infrastructure, and environment, and outcomes may vary. This content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or guarantee by Veritiv Operating Company.

In this episode, Andrew Bohenko, the Sustainable Initiatives Manager at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, dives into what it actually takes to operationalize sustainability at a massive scale.

What You’ll Learn:

How the stadium earned its TRUE Platinum Zero Waste certification
Why two-bin systems outperform three or more
How to design packaging systems that align with recovery infrastructure
Why procurement policies matter more than material swaps
How to operationalize zero waste at a massive scale

Andrew Bohenko is the Sustainable Initiatives Manager at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where he oversees one of the world's first venues to achieve TRUE Platinum Zero Waste Certification. With expertise in operational sustainability, packaging systems integration, and community engagement, Andrew has led the stadium's evolution from zero-waste events to achieving 90%+ waste diversion rates across 350+ annual operating days.

Download the full 2026 Sustainable Packaging Trends report here! To see how these innovations fit into the broader 2026 sustainability landscape.

This podcast features guest speakers expressing their own company’s products, views, and experiences. Any statements regarding environmental attributes, such as biodegradability, compostability, degradation, or “zero waste” claims, are representations made solely by the guest about their own products or technologies.

Veritiv Operating Company has not independently substantiated or verified such claims. Under the FTC’s Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (16 C.F.R. Part 260), environmental performance may depend on disposal conditions, infrastructure, and environment, and outcomes may vary. This content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or guarantee by Veritiv Operating Company.

Chapters:

[00:00] Intro
[01:48] The Scope of Sustainability at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
[05:39] From Opening Day to Zero Waste
[09:46] Achieving TRUE Platinum Certification
[11:56] Aligning Packaging with Recovery Systems
[13:55] Inside the Resource Recovery Room
[19:04] Three Points of Contact Before You Pay
[23:00] Evaluating New Packaging Partners Beyond the Sustainability Claim
[25:10] Lessons for Retail, Hospitality, and Beyond
[26:57] The Future of Sustainable Venues and the Next Workforce
[29:41] What Gives Andrew Hope

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