WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 15, 2026) — The Recycling Partnership (The Partnership) today announced that Founder and CEO Keefe Harrison will transition from her role on July 31, 2026. After 12 years of visionary leadership, Harrison will hand leadership to a new CEO as the organization enters its next chapter from a position of significant strength.
Since its inception, Harrison has been instrumental in growing The Partnership and fostering the multidisciplinary partnership necessary to tackle system challenges that no single company, community, or policy can fix alone. The organization has flourished under her direction, transforming local recycling systems and demonstrating the impact of mission-driven collaboration.
“Leading this work has been one of the greatest gifts of my life,” said Keefe Harrison, Founder and CEO of The Recycling Partnership. “I am deeply grateful for the trust our partners have placed in me. Together, we’ve built something truly impactful, and the organization is now exceptionally well-positioned for its next phase of growth.”
The Board of Directors has initiated a thoughtful transition process to ensure continued stability and success. Glick Davis & Associates will conduct a national search for the next leader, with an announcement of the new CEO expected later this summer. Harrison will remain engaged through August to support staff and help ensure a smooth transition for the incoming CEO.
“We are deeply grateful for Keefe’s service and the impact she has had on this organization and the broader U.S. recycling system,” said Scott Breen, Chairman of The Recycling Partnership’s Board of Directors. “This transition reflects a thoughtful succession plan and the Board’s confidence in The Partnership’s strength and future. Built for the complexity of this work, the organization is well positioned for the road ahead. A new leader will build on that foundation and help shape the next chapter of impact.”
Most importantly, The Recycling Partnership’s work continues. The 2026-2027 strategy will remain focused on supply, demand, and public policy and on solving recycling’s toughest challenges within those areas. There are no planned changes to the organization’s strategy, priorities, or commitments, and the organization remains focused on executing current goals guided by existing governance and decision-making processes. For more on the organization’s recent progress and impact, read the latest impact report.
About The Recycling Partnership
The Recycling Partnership is the U.S. nonprofit solving recycling’s toughest challenges, together, by tackling problems no single company, community, or policymaker can fix alone. Since 2014, we’ve helped recover more than 2 billion pounds of new recyclables, avoided 2.6 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, delivered more than 2 million recycling carts to U.S. homes, and catalyzed $658 million in recycling system improvements. Learn more at recyclingpartnership.org.