Emily Coven

California Executive Director, Circular Action Alliance

Emily Coven is the California Executive Director at Circular Action Alliance, where she leads the implementation of California’s landmark Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54). In this role, she oversees the development and execution of California’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, working closely with producers, local governments, waste and recycling stakeholders, and community partners to advance a more circular economy for packaging and food service ware.Coven is widely recognized as an entrepreneur and innovator in the recycling and sustainability sector. Prior to joining Circular Action Alliance, she was the founder and CEO of Recyclist, a mission-driven software company that helped municipalities and haulers implement California’s recycling and organics legislation. Under her leadership, Recyclist expanded to serve nearly half of California municipalities before being acquired by Routeware in 2023.With more than a decade of experience collaborating with CalRecycle, local governments, haulers, and industry leaders, Coven has built a strong reputation in California’s waste and recycling ecosystem. Her expertise spans recycling infrastructure, stakeholder engagement, public education, organics compliance, and circular economy innovation. She is also a frequent speaker at state and national conferences focused on recycling policy and sustainable materials management.At Circular Action Alliance, Coven plays a central role in shaping how California implements one of the most ambitious packaging EPR laws in the United States. Her work focuses on strengthening recycling systems, improving producer compliance, increasing material recovery, and supporting long-term solutions to reduce packaging waste and plastic pollution statewide