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Practical Solutions to Advance a Circular Economy
The National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC) partners with government, business, and nonprofit leaders to design and implement practical circular solutions that prevent waste, promote reuse, and reduce system costs and burden.
We bring deep policy and technical expertise to help partners turn ideas into action from designing producer responsibility frameworks to improving local collection, reuse, and recycling programs. Our team delivers data-driven analysis, interest-holder facilitation, and program management that help clients unlock the public-health, economic, and environmental benefits of circularity while achieving real-world results.
Partner with NSAC to move from managing waste to building systems that work — for people, the planet, and fair markets.
Mission-aligned Projects & Partnerships
Across the country, NSAC delivers mission-aligned contract services that turn circular economy goals into measurable results.
We work with government agencies, industry associations, and nonprofit organizations that share our commitment to protecting public health, reducing system costs, and advancing policies and programs that build a cleaner, fairer future. Each project below demonstrates how NSAC helps partners move from concept to implementation, designing systems that prevent waste, promote reuse, and create lasting impact.
Types of Project Partnerships We Offer
NSAC provides tailored support to help partners achieve measurable results through circular systems, producer responsibility, and waste reduction initiatives.
Our services include:
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Policy and program design
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Interest-holder facilitation and engagement
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Grant-funded project management
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Legislative and regulatory analysis
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Gap and opportunity analysis
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Research and reporting
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Communications and outreach
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Partnership development
Selected Projects & Outcomes: How We Deliver Circular Solutions
Solar Energy Industries Association — National Dialogue
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) contracted NSAC to convene partners addressing photovoltaic (PV) panel end-of-life management. NSAC organized three national meetings bringing together manufacturers, recyclers, regulators, and environmental organizations to identify challenges and develop coordinated solutions. The final report recommended actions to expand recycling infrastructure, reduce disposal, and move toward a harmonized national framework for PV panel management.
Project Goals:
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Bring stakeholders together to have honest discussions regarding PV EOL management to identify key issues for all stakeholder groups, and;
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Identify the considerations for a system that will work nationally to greatly expand PV panel recycling.
Inputs:
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Strategically establish and enhance relationships and lines of communication between recycling, waste management, logistics and relevant leaders and staff at municipalities, counties, waste management industry, and the logistics industry.
Outcomes:
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Compiled list of 6 recommendations
Impact:
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Based on our political sense and knowledge of the issues, and informed by the stakeholders and our political, legislative, and regulatory experience at the national, state, and local levels, we recommend proceeding with the short, medium, and long-term efforts to increase the recycling of solar panels nationally. The intent would be to develop and execute a nationally harmonized PV recycling program that clearly identifies solutions for both residential and commercial PV installations.
Los Angeles County, California - Household Hazardous Waste Management Assessment
In partnership with Tetra Tech and Los Angeles County Public Works, NSAC assessed and recommended improvements to the County’s household hazardous and electronic waste programs. Deliverables included short- and long-term strategies emphasizing source reduction, expansion of existing stewardship programs, and development of an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework to create a more circular management system for hazardous products.
Project Goals:
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Assess the performance, accessibility, and equity of Los Angeles County’s HHW collection programs.
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Identify major cost drivers and opportunities for cost relief through existing and future producer responsibility (EPR) programs.
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Analyze statewide statutes, County policies, and regulatory obstacles that limit safe and convenient HHW collection.
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Evaluate how climate-driven disasters (fires, floods, mudslides, sea-level rise) increase the release of HHW into the environment and strengthen the rationale for source reduction policies.
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Provide a roadmap for a Countywide Circular Economy strategy for HHW, emphasizing source reduction, safer product alternatives, reuse, and producer-funded take-back systems.
Inputs:
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Full review of California’s HHW and EPR laws.
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Examination of barriers preventing retailers from accepting HHW returns due to hazardous waste classifications, limiting convenient take-back.
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Assessment of how extreme weather increases unintentional HHW releases into soil, waterways, and air.
Outcomes:
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Clear Identification of Barriers & System Gaps
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Detailed Cost Relief Opportunities
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Circular Economy Policy Recommendations
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Governance & Oversight Improvements
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Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term Strategy
Impact:
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Strengthening Safety & Climate Resilience
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Substantial Long-Term Cost Relief for the County
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Improved Accessibility & Equity
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Transition to a Circular Economy for Hazardous Products
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Policy Leadership at State and National Levels
Washtenaw County, Michigan — Refillable Propane Cylinder Program
NSAC collaborated with Washtenaw County and U-Haul to replace single-use propane cylinders with refillable alternatives. The project designed and launched a coupon-based exchange system, coordinated outreach and education, and tracked redemption data to ensure measurable waste reduction and strong community participation.
Project Goals:
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Transition residents from single-use 1 lb. propane gas cylinders to safe, reusable alternatives that can be refilled hundreds of times over a 10-year lifespan.
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Reduce waste, fire hazards, and disposal costs associated with single-use cylinders in Washtenaw County’s household hazardous waste system.
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Build a durable, scalable model for retailer engagement, product reuse, and public participation in circular alternatives to hazardous single-use products.
Inputs:
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Partnership with U-Haul to establish refillable cylinder sales and refill services at two company-owned stores, including staff training and equipment setup.
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Comprehensive public education and outreach campaign engaging local partners and leveraging paid ads, social media, and community channels.
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Coordination of a countywide exchange event that allowed residents to return empty single-use cylinders in exchange for a free refillable or coupon.
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Ongoing operational support including supply monitoring, coupon tracking and reimbursement, and collaboration with County staff to ensure strong program visibility and participation.
Outcomes:
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Successful launch of a refillable propane cylinder program with staff trained at both U-Haul locations and sufficient inventory to support community demand.
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A highly visible multimedia outreach effort resulting in strong program awareness, sustained coupon redemption, and partnerships across local retailers, municipal programs, and community groups.
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A streamlined, user-friendly exchange process enabling residents to safely recycle single-use cylinders while transitioning to reusable alternatives.
Impact:
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Reduced fire and explosion risks in the waste stream by preventing improperly disposed single-use cylinders.
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Lowered costs for the County by decreasing the volume of hazardous single-use cylinders requiring special handling and disposal.
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Delivered consumer cost savings.
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Established one of the region’s first operational models for replacing single-use cylinders with durable, refillable alternatives.
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Strengthened community knowledge of safe fuel cylinder disposal and expanded the County’s capacity to pilot additional waste-reduction and reuse programs in the future.
CalRecycle — Household Hazardous Waste Grant Projects
Through CalRecycle’s Household Hazardous Waste Grant Program, NSAC implemented projects improving safe collection and public education across multiple jurisdictions, including San Benito and Santa Barbara Counties. NSAC managed planning, operations, and reporting to ensure compliance with state requirements and to advance best practices that strengthen local capacity for waste diversion and pollution prevention.
Project Goals:
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Increase resident access to safe, convenient drop-off options for household batteries, high-energy batteries (e-bikes and e-scooters), fluorescent lamps, and other hazardous products.
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Pilot and evaluate retail take back programs for lawn care equipment batteries and explore options for promoting reusable 1 lb. propane cylinders.
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Expand multilingual public education campaigns to reduce improper disposal, illegal dumping, and hazardous materials entering landfills or the recycling stream.
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Build partnerships with manufacturers and retailers to support the transition toward circular, producer-funded stewardship solutions.
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Enhance community collection events and improve data collection, reporting, and public awareness of HHW programs.
Inputs:
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Recruitment and training of new collection sites for household, lawn care, and high-energy batteries, including safety training, storage equipment, signage, and operational guidance.
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Extensive bilingual print, digital, radio, bus, and social media advertising campaigns.
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Coordination of multiple HHW collection events, including monthly drop-offs, “Recycle Day” mobile events, and propane cylinder exchange events.
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Engagement with manufacturers to understand recycling challenges and support the rollout of Call2Recycle’s High Energy Battery Recycling Program.
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Data analysis, multi-year reporting to CalRecycle, and creation of educational materials, PSAs, videos, and public-facing content to support long-term program sustainability.
Outcome
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Added new HHW drop-off locations for household, e-bike, and lawn-care batteries, significantly improving access for residents.
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Launched multiple mobile Recycle Day events, collecting HHW, batteries, e-waste, tires, and mattresses.
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Implemented successful fluorescent lamp recycling.
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Supported collection of household and high-energy batteries over the grant term, including of e-bike batteries.
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Delivered public education impressions through print, radio, digital, bus ads, and PSAs.
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Developed and implemented robust retailer training materials and safety protocols.
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Supported emerging high-energy battery programs as the market and manufacturer participation evolved.
Impact:
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Residents gained more permanent and temporary collection options, making safe disposal easier and more convenient.
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Collecting hazardous materials reduced fire risks, prevented mercury exposure, and limited illegal dumping.
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Engaging manufacturers helped launch new High Energy Battery Recycling programs, supporting long-term, statewide solutions.
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Residents shifted from toxic or single-use products to safer, reusable, or less hazardous alternatives.
Alameda County, California — Illegal Dumping and Litter Prevention Program
Under contract with the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency through the Vision 2026 Fund, NSAC supported the MEDS Coalition and Supervisor Miley’s Regional Illegal Dumping Task Force.
The project provided public education on safe medication and needle disposal, developed policy recommendations, and engaged manufacturers in addressing product litter. NSAC also promoted the Bye Bye Mattress program, participated in statewide advisory committees, and led multilingual outreach to prevent illegal dumping in disadvantaged communities.
Project Goals:
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Increase public awareness of safe disposal options for medications, sharps, mattresses, and other problematic products.
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Engage manufacturers to identify upstream strategies and take-back solutions for illegal dumped products.
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Advance public education aligned with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies.
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Expand participation in product stewardship programs, including the Bye Bye Mattress Program, and support state-level advisory committees.
Inputs:
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Ongoing legislative analysis and updates related to illegal dumping, packaging waste, and EPR.
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Multi-lingual, multi-media education campaigns on medication and sharps disposal and mattress recycling, targeting residents countywide and prioritizing disadvantaged communities.
Outcomes:
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Initiated legislative development for state policy to address drywall recycling, including exploration of minimum recycled content standards.
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Ongoing legislative updates provided to Alameda County staff on EPR efforts, toxics mitigation, and product stewardship.
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Multi-lingual campaigns promoted mattress recycling and safe drop-off for medications and sharps, reaching thousands of residents and generating meaningful engagement.
Impact:
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Through EPR-aligned education, statewide advisory participation, and industry engagement, the project moves Alameda County toward systems where manufacturers take responsibility for products at end-of-life—reducing cleanup burdens on local government and accelerating waste prevention.
Work with Us
Interested in working with NSAC? Complete the form below to share your project needs, and our team will follow up to explore how we can help.