Mark Murray has made innumerable contributions to resource conservation and environmental protection through the development and advocacy of much of California’s nation-leading waste reduction and recycling policy.
Cal Poly Humboldt is a primary inspiration behind Murray’s influential career instilling in him a deep-rooted commitment to the environment and civic engagement. As a cross-country runner under legendary coach Jim Hunt, Murray cultivated a love of the natural environment during runs through the Community Forest, Arcata Marsh, Lanphere Dunes, and Patrick’s Point.
As a student, Murray exhibited a passion for hands-on politics, serving as Chair of the Student Legislative Council, and elected Student Body President (85-86). In 1987, Murray helped develop and campaign for the Humboldt Graduation Pledge for Social Responsibility, which was passed by students and remains a part of the Cal Poly Humboldt graduation tradition. It has subsequently been adopted by more than 100 universities. By stretching outside the classroom and engaging in the campus and broader community, Murray cultivated skills and experience that he would lean on throughout his career in state politics.
Murray, as the long-time executive director of Californians Against Waste, has helped create much of California’s waste reduction and recycling policy framework. From 1989 legislation (AB 939) which made curbside recycling a reality statewide, to pioneering e-waste recycling policies, to producer responsibility for recycling ‘problem products’ like carpet and mattresses, to expansion of the Bottle Bill, which last year recycled 70 percent of the more than 28 billion containers sold.
Murray was an early leader in recognizing the threat posed by plastic pollution and the need to reduce and recycle. Murray helped forge ‘first in the nation’ ordinances banning polystyrene, and statewide bans on single-use plastic bags, and plastic micro-beads. Recent efforts have established ‘circular economy’ requirements of 75% recycling and 50% recycled content for plastic bottles.
