National Nonprofits Sound the Alarm: It’s Time to Make America’s Recycling Work for Americans

America’s recycling works — but not as well as it should for America’s workers, supply chains, communities, and economy. The ReMade in America Pledge calls for renewed investment to turn our valuable materials into new products and packaging.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov. 12, 2025) — The National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC) and the Stewardship Action Foundation (SAF) today announced the launch of the ReMade in America Pledge, a nationwide call for companies, policymakers, organizations, and individuals to strengthen U.S. recycling markets and circular supply chains by reinvesting in what’s already working.   Recycling works when America’s hard work is respected and honored, and when trust in a functioning system inspires the public to continue to recycle the right things the right way. Across the country, essential workers capture and process high-quality materials that are ready to be remade into new products and packaging. Yet recycling only succeeds when those valuable materials have robust domestic end markets—when companies choose U.S.-made recycled content and invest in remaking what we collect here at home. 

“The people who make recycling possible, our essential workers, deserve a system that honors their hard work and commitment, showing up through pandemics, wind, rain, ice, and snow,” said Heidi Sanborn, Executive Director/CEO of the National Stewardship Action Council and the Stewardship Action Foundation. “Communities and consumers are doing their part. Now we must strengthen the U.S. end markets that ensure what we capture and process is remade into new American products.” 

Through the ReMade in America Pledge, NSAC and SAF invite companies, policymakers, organizations, and individuals to join a unified effort to strengthen what’s already working. a recycling system that remakes what’s captured and processed domestically into new American products that stay in circulation. 

“This pledge is about progress through partnership,” said Heath Nettles, Deputy Director of NSAC and SAF. “We encourage everyone including companies, governments, nonprofits, and individuals to do their part. Together, we can support U.S. recyclers and manufacturers who are proving that what’s made in America can be remade in America.” 

The ReMade in America Pledge reflects NSAC and SAF’s commitment to advancing a circular economy in the United States—one that turns waste into a valuable resource while unlocking the economic, environmental, and public health benefits of recycling and circularity. 

Initial supporters include: 

• Republic Services 

• Circular Polymers 

• Nebraska Recycling Council  

• Solution Citizen  

• Recology 

• National Recycling Coalition (NRC) 

• And many others 
  

Organizations and individuals can learn more and sign the pledge at nsaction.us/remade 

Sign the Pledge

About the National Stewardship Action Council  

The National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC) is a 501(c)(4) national nonprofit organization driving policy solutions for a circular economy.  

For over a decade, NSAC has advanced landmark policies that unlock the economic and environmental value of waste as a resource. Working alongside nearly 50 member organizations and a nationwide network of 2,700+ individuals, NSAC convenes six national working groups covering packaging, household hazardous waste, recycling refunds, textiles, boating flares and marine film, and illegal single-use print cartridges. These groups unite governments, businesses, nonprofits, and communities to design and implement effective stewardship systems across the United States.  

About the Stewardship Action Foundation  

 

Founded in 2021, the Stewardship Action Foundation (SAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing a responsible circular economy through education, outreach, and partnerships. While the National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC) leads advocacy and lobbying, SAF complements this work by focusing on public education, collaboration, and research to address environmental challenges and promote systemic change.  

With a nationwide network of partners including government agencies, nonprofits, and the private sector, SAF raises awareness of critical environmental issues and delivers solutions that keep materials in use, reduce pollution, and promote equity. Its programs highlight the importance of circular systems and community-centered solutions. Through webinars, research, and collaborative projects, SAF equips communities to address challenges such as plastic waste, toxic substances, and source reduction. 

Media Contact Heath Nettles, Deputy Director National Stewardship Action Council & Stewardship Action Foundation heath@nsaction.us | (910)-995-0759