A warm welcome back to “Women in Circularity,” where we shine a light on women moving us toward a circular economy. This month, I was pleased to connect with an expert in the delivery of community based recycling services: Katie Drews. Katie is the co-president and CEO of Eureka Recycling, a nonprofit zero-waste organization and social enterprise recycler based in Minneapolis. Katie has nearly two decades of experience in marketing and business strategy and has a track record of driving change and innovation in corporate, higher education and nonprofit sectors.
How has a wider understanding of the circular economy affected your career?
A deeper understanding of the circular economy has really shaped how I approach both my work and my personal outlook. As co-president & CEO of Eureka Recycling and national director for the Alliance of Mission-Based Recyclers, I have seen up close how waste management, resource use, supply chains and sustainability efforts are all deeply interconnected. The core principles of reducing, reusing and recycling, which are central to the circular economy, align perfectly with my passion for zero-waste solutions.
But as a society, we are currently operating at “peak stuff,” so I don’t think we can just keep reusing and recycling at the same rate while continuing to create new materials at such a fast pace. We need to prioritize reduction and finding ways to cut back on material use so we’re not constantly going back to the ground or the well for virgin resources to keep fueling our production. This means designing for durability, repairability and reuse from the very beginning, while also changing consumption patterns across industries. For this, we will need smarter systems, policies, innovations and collaborations that will reduce resource extraction, prioritize human and environmental health and shift us away from our heavy reliance on plastics and continuous production.
Eureka has offered community-based recycling since 2001. How do you see your role expanding into zero waste?
At Eureka, we’ve been leaders in not just community-based recycling but also in creating effective zero-waste solutions for over 20 years, always with a focus on community-centered approaches. From the start, our work has prioritized both human and environmental health, while also fostering strong regional economies. This means developing solutions that are built for and with the community, ensuring they are sustainable, equitable and truly impactful. Thanks to Eureka’s leadership in these areas, we have established a solid foundation of resources, expertise and core competencies that uniquely position us to support building reuse solutions. Supporting and building up reuse feels like a logical progression, and I see immense opportunities to scale programs that reduce reliance on single-use products and packaging.
Is there a recent project you have worked on that you found particularly impactful, and why?
I wouldn’t point to just one project, but rather to the entire year of 2024, which felt like a whirlwind of impactful work. I engaged in the INC Global Plastics Treaty process, Eureka embarked on a large-scale equipment upgrade in our MRF, we participated in a toxics research project, and one of the most significant highlights was Eureka’s work to support Minnesota’s extended producer responsibility bill, which passed into law last year. It was a year of pushing boundaries and driving real change. One of the key takeaways from all of this work and across the various conferences, events and conversations I’ve engaged in, is that we are at a critical juncture — action is no longer optional. We need real intervention and innovation that disconnects us from our current reliance on plastics and the continuous production of new materials. More importantly, we need to prioritize non-toxic solutions. The urgency to move away from harmful materials and embrace safe zero-waste solutions has never been clearer.
In your opinion, what is the next big shift within the circular economy?
I’m not sure what the next big shift will be, but what I would like to see is a greater focus on non-toxic solutions that prioritize both environmental and human health. Ultimately, I hope the next shift brings innovation upstream. While much of the attention has historically been on downstream solutions like waste management and recycling, I believe real change will come when we redesign products from the start, eliminating problematic materials that waste resources and drive up costs. By prioritizing upstream innovation, we can create products and packaging designed for reusability, repairability and recyclability, reducing our reliance on virgin resources and minimizing waste.
What is a piece of advice you received that fundamentally changed the way you think about your work?
One that has really shaped the way I approach my work is that change won’t happen overnight, but it can’t take forever. This has been a guiding principle for me, especially in the sustainability space. It is easy to get discouraged when progress feels slow, but this advice reminds me that meaningful change takes time — it’s about taking consistent, intentional steps forward. At the same time, we can’t afford to wait indefinitely; the urgency of the issues we are facing requires action. This mindset has kept me focused on making steady progress while also pushing for the systemic changes that will lead to lasting impact.
MaryEllen Etienne is the creator of “Women in Circularity.” Etienne works on the Market Transformation and Development team for the U.S. Green Building Council. She has over 20 years of experience in sustainability and is a champion of the circular economy.
A version of this story appeared in Plastics Recycling Update on Feb. 26.
