HHW Technical Council

HHW CONTACT 

Nate Pelczar, Chair
California Product Stewardship Council
nate@calpsc.org 

Nate Pelczar joined the California Product Stewardship (CPSC) in 2018 and now serves in the role of Special Projects Manager. He manages CPSC’s largest grant project, the California Drug Take-Back Program, via a $3 million grant from California Department of Health Care Services to combat the opioid epidemic. The grant allowed CPSC to install approximately 250 medicine take-back bins in communities across California which will ultimately be taken-over by the drug producers when SB 212 (a bill driven by CPSC), is fully implemented in late 2022. Mr. Pelczar is also involved in the management of over a dozen grants related to the reduction of household hazardous waste, single-use propane cylinders, and other material management issues.

Julia Au, Vice-Chair
RethinkWaste
jau@rethinkwaste.org

Julia Au joined RethinkWaste team in 2017 and is currently the Senior Outreach, Education and Compliance Manager. She is responsible for a variety of engaging waste reduction and outreach programs for residents and businesses, media and communications, policy and legislation, and compliance with state and local laws and regulations. Julia has over ten years of experience in environmental policy and outreach programs while working in local government and non-profit organizations.

Virginia McCormick, Treasurer
California Product Stewardship Council
virginia@calpsc.org

Virginia McCormick joined the California Product Stewardship (CPSC) in 2022 and currently serves as an Associate II. She works on a variety of projects, such as the ReFuel Your Fun & $ave! campaign focused on educating the public about reusable 1 lb. propane cylinders. Additionally, Ms. McCormick engages in policy advocacy for extended producer responsibility and product stewardship. Beyond these responsibilities, she contributes to various small projects at CPSC, addressing issues related to the reduction of household hazardous waste, proper disposal of priority products, minimizing illegal dumping activities, and other material management topics.

Alejandro Ruiz Velasco, Secretary
City of Chula Vista, Office of Sustainability
Aruiz-velasco@chulavistaca.gov

Alejandro Ruiz-Velasco has worked for the City of Chula Vista since 2006 starting off as an intern in the Conservation section as a Conservation Associate. He later became a Conservation Specialist with a focus of Energy Management. As of 2021, he moved over to Environmental Services as a Recycling Specialist, where he currently manages the City of Chula Vista’s Household Hazardous Waste facility and used oil program grant.

Courtney Scott, Membership Chair
Zero Waste Sonoma
courtney.scott@sonoma-county.org

Courtney Scott has worked in HHW for over 10 years. She began her career with the San Rafael Fire Department coordinating the Marin HHW Facility for five years in partnership with Marin Resource Recycling and Zero Waste Marin. Currently, she is the HHW Program Manager for Zero Waste Sonoma managing the HHW and e-waste programs. She's been with Zero Waste Sonoma for six years and loves being part of an all-female agency.