October 30, 2025
Santa Monica College Wins 2025 National Recycling Award
Santa Monica College Wins 2025 National Recycling Award
Award from National Recycling Coalition Recognizes SMC as an “Outstanding Higher Education
Program” for its Sustainable Materials Management Program
SANTA MONICA, CA—The National Recycling Coalition (NRC) named Santa Monica College (SMC) a recipient of a 2025 National Recycling Award during the National Recycling Congress, held at Wichita State University in early October. SMC was recognized in the “Outstanding Higher Education Program” category for its pioneering Sustainable Materials Management Program. Last year, Stanford University was the recipient in this category.
In an official announcement, the NRC stated that SMC’s Sustainable Materials Management
Program—one of the first such at a California Community College—was “a pioneering community college program offering degrees and certificates in
zero waste and sustainable materials management, 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
of Sustainable Materials Management 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 and reinforces
the importance of building an educated workforce for a circular, zero-waste economy."
The awards ceremony, led by Peter Adrian of the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO), celebrated the most forward-thinking and impactful leaders, organizations, and programs
advancing recycling, organics management, and circularity across the nation. There
were more than 60 nominations in various categories, reflecting “a national surge
of innovation in waste reduction, resource recovery, and community engagement.”
“We saw an incredible range of creative, practical, and replicable solutions that
are transforming recycling and circularity nationwide,” said Ann Gibbs, awards chair. “Choosing the winners was both inspiring and incredibly difficult
because the work being done across the country is so strong and diverse.”
Santa Monica College’s program in Sustainable Materials Management offers two paths,
which provide academic instruction and real-world training in the field. Students
will learn practical strategies to help organizations reduce waste, lower costs, and
improve operational efficiency—skills that are increasingly valued across public,
private, and nonprofit sectors. To learn more about the degree and certificate options
available in the Sustainable Materials Management path (formerly known as Recycling and Resource Management) , visit smc.edu/smm.
Salinas Valley Recycles won in the Outstanding K-12 School Program category, and the NRC’s press release stated that SMC and Salinas Valley Recycles “are preparing the next generation of zero-waste champions through immersive, bilingual education that equips students to lead sustainable change.” Other awards given include those recognizing outstanding not-for-profit business leadership, outstanding corporate leadership, outstanding recycling innovation, and more. Nebraska State Senator Jana Hughes was recognized as “Outstanding Elected Leader” for championing the Safe Battery Collection and Recycling Act and other initiatives strengthening Nebraska’s recycling and waste management systems. Terry Craghead (Fertile Ground Cooperative) won the “Outstanding Diversity Leadership” award for founding a worker-owned cooperative that transforms waste into community wealth while advancing equity and inclusion in Oklahoma City. And Delaney Demro received the Bill Heenan Emerging Leader Award for advancing TRUE Zero Waste certification and DEI-focused reuse initiatives. For more information on the award winners and program descriptions, visit nrcrecycles.org.
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About Santa Monica College:
Santa Monica College is a California Community College accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). For 34 consecutive years, SMC has been California’s leading transfer college to UCLA, UC Berkeley, and other University of California campuses. The college also tops in transfers to the University of Southern California and Loyola Marymount University and is the top feeder west of the Mississippi to the Ivy League Columbia University. SMC offers more than 110 career education-focused degrees and certificates, and is the leading job trainer on Los Angeles’s Westside. The College provides news and cultural enrichment through its NPR radio station KCRW (89.9 FM), The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage at the SMC Performing Arts Center, and lifelong learning through distinctive programs such as its Emeritus Program for older adults. The college is known for its longstanding commitment to sustainability, and has been recognized by many organizations including The League of American Bicyclists for championing earth-friendly practices. To learn more, see smc.edu/sustainability.