Circular Action Alliance names executive director in California

Circular Action Alliance (CAA) has appointed Rachel Wagoner as the organization’s executive director for California, effective immediately.

Wagoner most recently served as the director of the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) and brings statewide leadership experience to this critical role in implementing California's extended producer responsibility (EPR) law, the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (S.B. 54).  

As director for CalRecycle, Wagoner was responsible for overseeing and reforming CalRecycle’s recycling and waste management programs, building EPR, disaster debris recovery, and organic waste recovery and recycling programs. She also was the architect for California’s first statewide Zero Waste Plan.

Prior to leading CalRecycle, Wagoner was deputy legislative secretary to Gov. Gavin Newsom, advising on energy, environmental protection, natural resources, agricultural and communications legislation. She also spent more than 20 years working as a committee consultant to the California State Senate.   

With the CAA, Wagoner will oversee the development and implementation of the producer responsibility organization’s (PRO’s) EPR program plan for California, which targets single-use packaging and plastic single-use food service ware. She will work closely with the state, local governments, producers and industry partners to achieve S.B. 54's recycling and waste reduction goals, including cutting single-use packaging and food ware by 25 percent, recycling 65 percent of single-use plastic packaging and food ware and ensuring 100 percent of single-use packaging and food ware is recyclable or compostable by 2032.

"Rachel's deep understanding of California's recycling and waste management landscape and her proven track record in overseeing environmental policies will be invaluable as we work to transform how packaging is managed in the state," says Jeff Fielkow, CEO of CAA. "Her leadership will be crucial in ensuring the success of our EPR program." 

“I am excited to be joining CAA at this pivotal moment for recycling and waste reduction in California,” Wagoner says. "CAA and its founding members share California’s commitment to the successful implementation of packaging extended producer responsibility.  It is a great privilege for me to work with this organization and continue to help California lead in environmental innovation. I look forward to collaborating with CalRecycle and all of the dedicated organizations and individuals that are working tirelessly to make Senator Allen's SB 54 successful." 

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Wagoner's appointment follows other recent additions to the CAA leadership team, including Jeff Fielkow as CEO and executive directors for Colorado, Juri Freeman, and Oregon, Kim Holmes. These strategic hires underscore CAA's commitment to leveraging global experience in the packaging and recycling industry as well as deep local knowledge to deliver nationally harmonized producer services and successful state programs, the Washington-based organization says.