Current Role and Title
Craig Wittig currently holds the position of Vice President, Material Systems at The Recycling Partnership, a national nonprofit organization focused on improving and innovating residential recycling systems across the United States. His role encompasses overseeing material systems, with a specific emphasis on grant implementation and community engagement, as referenced by his prior title of Senior Director for Grant Implementation and Community Engagement.
Responsibilities and Domain Expertise
Craig Wittig leads initiatives that strategically channel private-sector investments into public recycling programs aimed at system transformation and circular economy activation. His responsibilities prominently include managing grant programs, particularly those facilitating public space recycling infrastructure and community-based programs to increase recycling accessibility and minimize contamination rates.
He has been a key figure in directing community partnerships that advance multifamily recycling programs and municipal recycling contamination reduction projects. Wittig’s work extends to interfacing with city governments, state agencies, and local communities to support improved recycling infrastructure and policies that optimize material recovery and system sustainability.
Key Contributions and Achievements
- Grant Implementation Leadership: Wittig directs the execution of major grant-funded recycling projects, as evidenced by his involvement in multi-million-dollar programs such as the EGLE Recycling Infrastructure Grant (State of Michigan) and similar initiatives focused on expanding recycling systems and infrastructure.
- Innovation in Residential Recycling: He has publicly emphasized the need for innovative approaches to residential recycling, including community engagement and behavior modification strategies that have measurably reduced contamination and increased recyclable material capture by up to one-third in certain programs.
- Advocacy for Bipartisan Support: Wittig advocates the critical role of government as an incubator for environmental system change, often speaking on the importance of bipartisan cooperation in driving nationwide recycling system reforms.
- Multifamily Recycling Expertise: He is noted for his role in piloting and scaling multifamily recycling programs, which target a historically underserved segment in recycling initiatives to increase equitable access to recycling services.
- Public Speaking and Thought Leadership: Wittig has moderated sessions related to Material Recovery Facility (MRF) upgrades and long-term program success at industry conferences, situating him as an influential figure in recycling policy and operations discourse.
Historical Context and Professional Background
- Early in his career, Wittig was a coordinator of recycling programs at Bowling Green State University in the 1990s, where he was credited with pioneering approaches to promote recycling on campus.
- Over time, he progressed into leadership roles within The Recycling Partnership—first as Director of Community Programs, then as Senior Director for Grant Implementation and Community Engagement, and finally ascending to his current Vice President role.
- His extensive tenure in recycling program coordination and grant management has positioned him as a subject matter expert in material systems and systemic change within the recycling sector.
Industry and Organizational Context
The Recycling Partnership operates as an action-oriented entity that mobilizes data-driven solutions and private-public partnerships to transform the U.S. recycling system. Its approach is grounded in activating circular economy principles where products and packaging are increasingly recirculated. Wittig’s leadership in material systems fits centrally into this mission, ensuring grant resources are effectively deployed to achieve measurable outcomes.
The organization's current strategic priorities include reducing recycling contamination, expanding equitable access, and enabling municipalities with infrastructure and behavioral insights to maximize recycling performance and sustainability. Wittig’s role frequently involves high-stakes coordination with municipal governments (e.g., Chicago, Louisiana) and collaborators to enhance the recycling ecosystem at scale.
Contact Information
Craig Wittig is publicly reachable for grant-related and program inquiries via his organizational email: CWittig@RecyclingPartnership.org.
This profile underscores Craig Wittig’s extensive expertise and leadership in advancing systemic improvements in material recycling through grant implementation, community engagement, and strategic partnerships within The Recycling Partnership. His role is integral to driving innovation, securing investments, and facilitating operational excellence in recycling infrastructure and community programs across diverse U.S. regions.
