NEWS & MEDIA
Welcome to Women in Circularity’s news and media page, where we highlight recent recognitions, press features, industry spotlights and an archive of our live events featuring the leadership and impact of the alumnae of Women in Circularity including our founder, MaryEllen Etienne. These mentions reflect the growing momentum behind Women in Circularity and the collective impact of women leading the transition to a more regenerative, equitable and circular future.
Awards & Recognitions
NRC Leadership Award: Women in Circularity Founder, MaryEllen Etienne
MaryEllen Etienne received the 2026 Outstanding Diversity Leadership Award from the National Recycling Coalition, recognizing her leadership in advancing inclusive pathways for women in the circular economy and her sustained commitment to equitable systems change across the sustainable materials management sector. She was honored for building a platform that connects, celebrates and advances women working across the circular economy, strengthening national collaboration and expanding access to circularity leadership opportunities.
Source: National Recycling Coalition, https://nrcrecycles.org
NRC Leadership Award: Women in Circularity Alumnae, Christine Kiourtsis
Christine Kiourtsis received the 2026 National Recycling Coalition Awards for her leadership in circularity and her innovative work transforming difficult‑to‑manage materials into valuable resources through an expanding regional recovery network. She was recognized for pioneering new pathways for challenging materials through Renewable Recycling, Inc., advancing recycling innovation, strengthening infrastructure and accelerating circular systems across communities.
Source: National Recycling Coalition, https://nrcrecycles.org
NRC Leadership Award: Women in Circularity Alumnae, Stacy Savage
Stacy Savage received the 2026 Outstanding Public Education & Outreach Program Award from the National Recycling Coalition, recognizing her two decades of translating complex waste and recycling issues into practical, accessible campaigns for businesses, universities and communities. She was honored for long‑standing leadership in public engagement and waste education, shaping national understanding of materials recovery and inspiring action across diverse audiences.
Source: National Recycling Coalition, https://nrcrecycles.org
100 Circularity Leaders to Follow: Women in Circularity Founder, MaryEllen Etienne
MaryEllen Etienne was named Number 3 on the “100 Circularity People & Organizations to Follow” list, a global recognition spotlighting practitioners, innovators and advocates driving meaningful change across policy, business, infrastructure and community‑based circularity efforts.
Source: The E-Waste Column, https://www.theewastecolumn.com
Media Mentions
Five Years of Women in Circularity: Reflections, Connections and What’s Next
Abstract: MaryEllen Etienne’s reflections mark five years of Women in Circularity evolving from a simple storytelling series into a national community shaping circularity conversations, leadership development and systems‑level collaboration. Format: Article Dates: 11/12–14/2025
Source: Resource Recycling, https://resource-recycling.com
RLG Spotlight: The Plastics Recycling Conference and Textile Recovery Summit 2025
Abstract: Women in Circularity’s second live event, a panel discussion at the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference, was featured in a recent article highlighting leadership, collaboration and emerging opportunities across plastics recovery and textile circularity. Format: Article Dates: 3/24–26/2025
Source: Reverse Logistics Group, https://rev-log.com
Recycling Leaders Converge in Kentucky
Abstract: Women in Circularity’s first live event, an opening plenary panel at the 2024 Resource Recycling Conference, was featured in a national article spotlighting leadership, collaboration and the growing influence of women shaping circularity across the recycling sector. Format: Article Dates: 11/13–15/2024
Source: Resource Recycling, https://resource-recycling.com
Live Events Archive
Women in Circularity session @ NRC’s 2026 National Recycling Congress
Session Abstract: Join us at the virtual NRC’s 2026 National Recycling Congress for a session on Women in Circularity: Advancing EPR. This conversation features EPR practitioners, policy leaders and systems designers examining how women are shaping extended producer responsibility design, implementation and cross‑sector alignment. Speakers highlight emerging policy models, practical program insights and the collaborative approaches accelerating national EPR progress.
Event Overview: NRC’s annual national convening focused on recycling, policy and systems‑level collaboration.
Details: Virtual, 8/5–6/2026
Source: National Recycling Congress, https://nrcrecycles.org/congress
Women in Circularity session @ R2ZW’s 2026 Zero Waste Forum
Session Abstract: Join us at this wonderful event convening the Zero Waste community from around the US for in‑person and online dialogue. This panel brings together municipal reuse leaders, nonprofit repair advocates and circular systems designers exploring how women are advancing reuse, repair and community‑driven circularity. Speakers share on‑the‑ground strategies, program lessons and the partnerships strengthening zero‑waste ecosystems nationwide.
Event Overview: A national gathering focused on zero‑waste systems, reuse, repair and community‑driven circularity.
Details: Park City, UT, 3/16/2026
Source: Race to Zero Waste’s Zero Waste Forum, https://zerowasteforum.org/
Women in Circularity session @ NRC’s 2025 National Recycling Congress
Session Abstract: This hybrid session brings Women in Circularity perspectives to the national stage, highlighting leadership, collaboration and systems‑level opportunities across the recycling and reuse ecosystem. The conversation features reuse innovators, recycling program directors and circularity strategists offering perspectives on scaling circular practices through policy, infrastructure and community engagement.
Event Overview: A leading national conference for 200+ reuse and recycling professionals in the United States.
Details: Wichita, KS, 10/1–3/2025
Source: National Recycling Congress, https://nrcrecycles.org/congress
Women in Circularity session @ Plastics Recycling Conference
Session Abstract: Join us at the leading conference for 2000+ plastics recycling industry professionals in the United States. This high‑energy Women in Circularity panel features plastics recovery experts, circular design practitioners and reuse system innovators exploring new pathways for plastics circularity. Speakers discuss design‑for‑reuse, advanced recovery strategies and emerging collaborations reshaping plastics system transformation.
Event Overview: A major industry convening focused on plastics recycling, recovery innovation and circular design.
Details: National Harbor, MD, 11/13/2024
Source: Plastics Recycling Conference, https://wasteconferences.com
💡 Important Note: “Women in Circularity®” is the intellectual property of MaryEllen Etienne. All uses of the name or format must be licensed and/or approved by her.
