The Environmental Paper Network proudly celebrates our founder, Susan Kinsella, who has been honored with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement in Recycling Award from the National Recycling Coalition (NRC). The award, presented during the National Recycling Congress at Wichita State University, recognizes Susan’s decades of leadership transforming how paper is made, purchased, and understood – and her enduring commitment to collaboration and innovation across the recycling movement.
As Executive Director of Conservatree, Susan has long been one of the most trusted voices in sustainable paper and procurement. Known for her clear, evidence-based approach and deep technical knowledge, she bridges research, policy, and market transformation. Her career began with Conservatree Paper Company, the pioneering distributor that helped launch North America’s recycled paper markets. When Conservatree transitioned from a company to a nonprofit, Susan guided its evolution into a center for research and technical guidance, providing resources and insights that reshaped how businesses, governments, and organizations buy paper.
In 2002, Susan spearheaded the founding of the Environmental Paper Network (EPN), bringing together environmental organizations worldwide to create a unified vision for sustainable paper production and responsible consumption. Under her guidance, EPN developed the Common Vision for Transforming the Paper Industry, which originally focused on North America but later expanded into the Global Paper Vision as the network grew into an international alliance. Susan played a key role in shaping that evolution, helping ensure the framework reflected the diverse priorities of organizations across regions. For over two decades, she has served on EPN’s Steering Committee, helping the network grow from a small collaboration into a powerful global community connecting advocates on forest protection, paper reduction, and circular economy solutions.
Her colleagues describe her as both visionary and deeply collaborative.
“Susan was the first person that I met at the inaugural meeting of what would become the Environmental Paper Network. I never met anyone who had more passion – and knowledge – about recycling than her. She was, and is, an inspiration to us all.”
– Laura Hickey, National Wildlife Federation (retired) and former EPN Steering Committee Member
Susan’s influence extends far beyond EPN. She has helped shape environmental policy at every level of government. Her work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) informed updates to the federal “Buy Recycled” Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Her recommendations helped inspire Administrator Gina McCarthy’s 2016 directive for the EPA to reduce paper use, purchase 100% postconsumer recycled-content copier and printing paper, and improve office paper recovery across federal facilities.
Her efforts with the Forest Stewardship Council, the Responsible Purchasing Network, and numerous cities and agencies have helped embed sustainability standards into public and private procurement systems nationwide. Susan’s leadership exemplifies her belief that change happens through partnership and persistence – by connecting technical knowledge, public accountability, and shared purpose.
“As a founder of the National Recycling Coalition, Susan epitomizes the leaders of reduce, reuse, and recycling we strive to support,” said Gary Liss of the Zero Waste International Alliance. “She became the leading expert in the nation in buying recycled paper and helped NRC and many other organizations adopt policies to support buying recycled products. She always reminded us, ‘If you’re not buying recycled, you’re not recycling.’”
Throughout her career, Susan has balanced rigorous research with a gift for clear communication. She has authored accessible reports and tools that demystify complex supply chains and empower organizations to make sustainable choices. Her work has changed not just policies, but mindsets – inspiring governments, schools, and major corporations to align purchasing decisions with environmental values.
“It would be impossible to fully describe the influence that Susan Kinsella has had on the environmental movement’s advocacy work related to the paper industry,” said Allen Hershkowitz, PhD, Senior Scientist at NRDC from 1987–2016 and former EPN Steering Committee member. “For three decades, I relied on Susan’s unparalleled knowledge and insights. My collaboration with Susan in creating the EPN and drafting the Common Vision was one of the highlights of my career.”
Even today, Susan continues to build bridges across the recycling community. Through her latest project, the Recycling Archives, she is documenting the stories of the pioneers who shaped recycling in the U.S. and abroad. By capturing their insights and experiences, she is helping ensure that the lessons of the past inform the challenges of the future. The project serves as both a historical record and a roadmap for a new generation of circular economy leaders.
“Susan is an inspiring force and has made wonderful contributions in the recycling movement while embodying a great mix of strategic and heartfelt leadership,” said Tyson Miller, Executive Director of Earth Insight and former EPN Steering Committee member.
“Susan transformed the way individuals, governments, organizations, and companies thought about recycled paper and has been responsible for saving so many trees and diverting huge amounts of waste from the landfill,” added Scot Quaranda, current EPN Steering Committee member and Communications Director for Dogwood Alliance. “Her leadership and tireless work should serve as an inspiration to all of us.”
Susan’s recognition by the NRC is both a tribute to her remarkable body of work and a reminder of how deeply one person’s dedication can ripple across an entire movement. Her vision of collaboration – that systemic change requires shared learning and mutual respect –– continues to guide the Environmental Paper Network and inspire countless partners worldwide.
We celebrate Susan’s lifetime of achievement and her ongoing contributions to advancing recycling, responsible production, and a circular future.
Read the full NRC press release and view the photo slideshow.
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