Joel Schoening is a Senior Consultant at Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), where he advises producers, industry organizations, stewardship programs, and government agencies on extended producer responsibility (EPR), recycling system modernization, and stakeholder engagement. Since joining RRS, he has supported initiatives to improve collection systems, expand material acceptance, and strengthen recovery pathways for packaging and other materials.
Joel brings more than 15 years of experience in public affairs, policy analysis, strategic planning, communications, and coalition building. Prior to joining RRS, he served as Director of Communications for the Oregon Environmental Council and as Senior Public Relations Manager for Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative, where he supported Oregon’s nationally recognized bottle deposit system. Earlier in his career, he held planning and policy roles at Metro, the Portland region’s elected government. Joel holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Oregon and serves as Chair of the Association of Oregon Recyclers.