By Lookout Staff
October 31, 2025 -- Santa Monica College (SMC) won a top award from the National Recycling Coalition (NRC) for its "pioneering" community college program, school officials announced Thursday.
SMC was recognized for its Sustainable Materials Management Program in the “Outstanding Higher Education Program” category, an award given to
Stanford University last year.
NRC's official announcement states SMC’s program, one of the first at a California Community College, is a pioneering program "offering degrees and certificates in zero waste and sustainable materials management, building a vital workforce pipeline for the circular economy.”
“This recognition from the NRC highlights the incredible dedication of our students, faculty, and partners who are shaping the future of sustainability,” said Victoria Charles, SMC Professor of Sustainable Materials Management.
“It brings well-deserved attention to the real-world, hands-on learning happening at Santa Monica College and reinforces the importance of building an educated workforce for a circular, zero-waste economy."
The awards ceremony celebrated "the most forward-thinking and impactful leaders, organizations, and programs advancing recycling, organics management, and circularity across the nation," SMC officials said.
There were more than 60 nominations in various categories, reflecting “a national surge of innovation in waste reduction, resource recovery, and community engagement.”
“We saw an incredible range of creative, practical, and replicable solutions that are transforming recycling and circularity nationwide,” said awards chair Ann Gibbs.
“Choosing the winners was both inspiring and incredibly difficult because the work being done across the country is so strong and diverse.”
Santa Monica College’s program in Sustainable Materials Management offers two paths that provide academic instruction and real-world training in the field.
Students learn "practical strategies to help organizations reduce waste, lower costs, and improve operational efficiency -- skills that are increasingly valued across public, private, and nonprofit sectors," school officials said.
To learn more about the degree and certificate options available in the Sustainable Materials Management path (formerly known as Recycling and Resource Management), visit smc.edu/smm.