Founder & CEO, Waste Lens
Building the digital infrastructure for a zero-waste future.
AI + waste infrastructure pioneer. Keynote speaker. Chemical engineer turned CEO. Transforming how cities think about waste through agentic AI and circular economy innovation.
Where chemical engineering meets agentic AI.
Danielle Alexander is the Founder & CEO of Waste Lens (dba Eco Activators), a company redefining what's possible in the waste management sector through AI-powered digital infrastructure.
With a background in chemical engineering and product innovation, Danielle brings a unique lens to the global waste crisis. Her commitment to sustainability began in Florida, where a deep connection to nature and a curiosity about how human behavior shapes our environment sparked a lifelong passion.
A transformative trip to Greece crystallized her mission. The contrast between ancient endurance and modern disposability became clear. "It hit me that we could lose our planet's treasures," she recalls — a moment that sparked her drive to tackle waste through technology.
Today, Waste Lens leverages vision AI and agent-led automations to route waste away from landfills and into circular economy markets. Currently piloting with the City of Myrtle Beach, the platform is expanding across the Carolinas and Southeast in 2026.
Credentials
Topics that move audiences to action.
Danielle delivers talks that blend deep technical knowledge with compelling storytelling — making complex AI and infrastructure concepts accessible and actionable for any audience.
Agentic AI in the Real World
How agent-led automations are solving last-mile infrastructure problems that traditional software can't — from waste routing to behavior change at scale.
Smart Cities & Circular Economy
The digital infrastructure cities need to transform waste from a cost center into an economic engine. Lessons from the Myrtle Beach pilot and beyond.
The Last-Mile Problem in Waste
Why recycling has polarized everyone, and how a 'done for you' approach meets residents where they are — eliminating friction and driving measurable diversion.
From Chemical Engineer to CEO
The founder journey of building AI-native infrastructure from the ground up — navigating deeptech, city partnerships, and go-to-market in regulated industries.
Available Formats
Featured in leading publications.
Innovative Waste Management: The Vision of Eco Activators
January 2026
Engineering Alumna Revolutionizes Waste Management with Vision AI Technology
September 2025
SC Entrepreneur Spotlight — 50 Most Influential Leaders Issue
2026
From the FAMU-FSU Feature
"In an era where AI adoption in waste management is expected to grow at a compound rate of 22% per year through 2030, one FAMU-FSU College of Engineering alumna is positioning herself at the forefront of this technological revolution."
"We are trying to meet people where they are in their busy lives, making it easy for them to participate in sustainability efforts."
— On the Waste Lens approach
"We're developing a repeatable, scalable playbook so that we can compress time to value for each new city."
— On expansion strategy
Triple bottom line. Zero compromise.
Waste Lens operates at the intersection of technology, commerce, and the circular economy — unlocking behavior change and diversion pathways that weren't possible a year ago.
People
Creating services where individuals feel supported rather than shamed into taking action. A 'done for you' experience that eliminates barriers.
Planet
Routing food waste, textiles, goods, and electronics away from landfills and into the right circular or commerce channels — reducing methane and tipping fees.
Profit
Transforming waste from a cost center into an economic engine. Creating new value streams while reducing landfill volume and municipal costs.
Currently Piloting
City of Myrtle Beach
Expanding across the Carolinas & Southeast in 2026
#1
Priority: Food Waste
AI-Native
Platform Architecture
2026
Multi-City Expansion
360°
Last-Mile Orchestration
Bring Danielle to your stage.
Available for keynotes, panels, podcasts, and advisory engagements. Let's discuss how AI-powered waste infrastructure is reshaping the future of cities.