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Heidi Sanborn, CEO

Heidi Sanborn is the founding CEO of the National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC), the Stewardship Action Foundation (SAF), and co‑founder of the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC). With 35 years of leadership in the solid waste, recycling, and environmental policy fields, Heidi is widely recognized as the foremost U.S. authority on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and a key architect of modern circular economy policy.

 

Heidi has served as a regulator, policy advisor, advocate, and consultant providing strategic support to local, state, and national governments. Serving as the Chair on California's Statewide Commission on Recycling Markets and Curbside Recycling, she introduced zero‑waste and product stewardship principles into the state’s strategic plan. Her leadership organizing California local governments to advocate for producer responsibility catalyzed the passage of more EPR laws in California than any other state, including landmark policies for paint, pharmaceuticals and sharps, mercury thermostats, carpet, gas cylinders, and packaging through SB 54 (2022).

 

Under Heidi’s direction, NSAC has sponsored and passed multiple groundbreaking laws, including:

  • AB 2208 – Phasing out the sale mercury-containing fluorescent lamps

  • AB 863 – Strengthening California’s carpet stewardship program 

  • SB 1143 – Expanding California’s PaintCare program

  • SB 212 – First‑in‑the‑nation producer‑funded medication and sharps take‑back program 

  • SB 343 – Truth in labeling using chasing arrows symbol

  • SB 936 – (2026) On Governor Newsom’s desk to ban sale of Nitrous Oxide flavored gas and cylinders larger than 8 grams

  • SB 501 – (2026) On Governor Newsom’s desk to include medium format batteries in the EPR program for loose batteries

 

Through NSAC, Heidi has advanced policy analysis with Oregon on the Recycling Modernization Act, examining Oregon’s approach against packaging EPR programs in other states and assessing opportunities and challenges for harmonization across producer definitions and obligations, covered materials, exemption structures, accepted-materials lists, responsible end-market standards, eco-modulation authority, and reporting and performance standards.

 

Through SAF, Heidi has supported the New Mexico Environment Department and the Recycling and Illegal Dumping Alliance (RAID), along with agencies, organizations, businesses, tribes, local governments, and other interested parties, in developing the New Mexico Circular Economy Plan (CEP).

 

Heidi’s expertise extends beyond legislation into program implementation, facilitation, and multi‑sector collaboration. She has advanced national product stewardship programs for pharmaceuticals, thermostats, paint, batteries, fluorescent lights, carpets, and gas cylinders, and has shaped national policy dialogue through the U.S. Conference of Mayors and National League of Cities.

 

A highly sought‑after keynote speaker, Heidi has presented internationally on EPR, recycling market development, and truth‑in‑labeling. She has been featured in Time, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, NPR, and CBS Evening News. She has served on multiple state and national advisory bodies, including:

• Statewide Commission on Recycling Markets & Curbside Recycling (Chair) 

• Solid Waste Association of North America Advisory Board – Materials Recovery 

• California State Treasurer’s Green Bond Market Development Committee 

• Bureau of Household Goods and Services Advisory Council 

 

Heidi also serves her community as an elected Board Member of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), where she applies her sustainability expertise to clean energy and utility governance into a 3rd four-year term ending 2030.

 

Her awards include honors from the Greentech Pioneer in Environmental Leadership Award 2026, NAHMMA, Waste360, the National Recycling Coalition, and the Sacramento Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business Award.

 

Heidi earned her B.A. in Political Science – Public Service from UC Davis and her Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California. She continues to champion equitable, effective, and scalable circular economy solutions across the country.

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APPOINTMENTS​​

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AWARDS​

  • Women Who Inspire, Waste360 (2024)

  • Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award, National Recycling Coalition (2023)

  • Outstanding Public Agency Award, Solid Waste Association of North America (2022)

  • Lawrence Lecturer, Solid Waste Association of North America (2020)

  • Women Who Means Business, Sacramento Business Journal (2020) 

  • Outstanding Policy & Legislative Advancement Award, CalRecycle (2020)

  • Friend of Pharmacy, California Pharmacists Association (2018)

  • Environmental Excellence Award, Industrial Environmental Association (2016)

  • Outstanding Policy Achievement, North American Hazardous Materials Management Association (2015)

  • Distinguished Individual Achievement Award, Solid Waste Association of America (2015)

  • Outstanding Environmental Stewardship Award, Sacramento Environmental Commission (2015)

  • Unsung Hero Award, Solid Waste Association of America (2014)

  • Pollution Prevention Award of the Year, Nonprofit- Sacramento Area Business Council (2014)

  • Outstanding Policy/Legislative Advancement Award, CalRecycle (2012)

  • Climate Changer, Sacramento News and Review (2012)

  • Rick Best Environmental Advocacy Award, California Resource Recovery Association (2010)

  • Recycler of the Year, California Resource Recovery Association (2002)

  • Award of Appreciation, Regional Council of Rural Counties (1999)

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EDUCATION​

  • Master of Public Administration, Non-Profit and Government Management, University of Southern California (2004)

  • Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, University of California, Davis (1992)

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