Office of Public Affairs
For Immediate Release: May 19, 2025
Media Contact: Lance Klug | OPA@calrecycle.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO– With broad support from local government, environmental and industry groups, on May 12, the California State Senate voted unanimously to confirm Zoe Heller as Director of CalRecycle. Widely respected with deep expertise in zero-waste and circular economy strategies, Heller brings a proven track record of building consensus to advance common-sense, science-based environmental reforms.
“I am honored to serve at this critical time for California to implement zero waste actions by using less, reusing, properly collecting and continuously recycling materials instead of throwing them away,” CalRecycle Director Zoe Heller said. “Working together with communities, businesses, tribes, local governments, and other interested parties, California can eliminate waste from the world’s fourth-largest economy to build a cleaner, healthier future for everyone.”
Building California’s Waste-Free Future
Director Heller’s priorities include addressing California’s climate and environmental goals through system-wide reforms, including:
- Organics Recycling and Unsold Food Recovery – Scales up composting and food recovery to cut landfill pollution and redirect unsold food to Californians.
- Plastic and Packaging Waste Reduction – Cuts plastic and packaging waste by ensuring industry responsibility for using less and reusing the rest.
- Loose Battery and Battery-Embedded Product Reforms – Creates an industry-run stewardship program for loose batteries and adds battery-embedded products to the state’s e-waste recycling program.
- Textiles Takeback – Creates an industry-run stewardship program for apparel and other textiles.
- Beverage Container Recycling Program Expansion – Adds wine and liquor to the redemption program and funds over 200 new recycling locations.
- Wildfire Debris Recovery – Strengthens support to help communities recover by clearing debris from wildfires and other disasters.
About Zoe Heller
Before her appointment as Director, Heller served in various roles, leading CalRecycle’s Division of Circular Economy, Materials Management and Local Assistance Division, and Policy Office. She previously held senior roles at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Pacific Southwest Office, including Zero Waste Section Manager and Environmental Justice Specialist. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Policy and a Master of Public Administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois.
Home Page | News Releases | Public Meetings | Event Calendar | Videos | Publications | Organics | Bottles and Cans
CalRecycle's mission is to protect California's environment and climate for the health and prosperity of future generations through the reduction, reuse and recycling of California resources, environmental education, disaster recovery, and the transition from a disposable to a fully circular economy.