The 2025 National Recycling Awards honored leaders, organizations, and programs advancing recycling and circularity
Santa Monica College has been recognized by the National Recycling Coalition with a 2025 National Recycling Award for its Sustainable Materials Management Program, earning the title of “Outstanding Higher Education Program” at the National Recycling Congress held earlier this month at Wichita State University.
The program — one of the first of its kind at a California community college — offers degrees and certificates focused on zero waste and sustainable materials management. The NRC praised it as “a pioneering community college program … building a vital workforce pipeline for the circular economy.”
“This recognition from the NRC highlights the incredible dedication of our students, faculty, and partners who are shaping the future of sustainability,” said SMC Professor Victoria Charles, who accepted the award on behalf of the program. “It brings well-deserved attention to the real-world, hands-on learning happening at Santa Monica College.”
The 2025 National Recycling Awards honored leaders, organizations, and programs advancing recycling and circularity across the U.S. More than 60 nominations were submitted. Other honorees included Salinas Valley Recycles, which won for Outstanding K-12 School Program; Nebraska State Sen. Jana Hughes, named Outstanding Elected Leader; Terry Craghead of Fertile Ground Cooperative for Outstanding Diversity Leadership; and Delaney Demro, who received the Bill Heenan Emerging Leader Award.
Santa Monica College’s Sustainable Materials Management Program provides training in waste reduction, cost efficiency, and sustainable operations across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
