On June 2,
Kitty McIlroy received
Maryland Recycling Network's 2026 Extraordinary Achievement Award for her tireless work to advance recycling in Maryland. Throughout her professional career and as President of MRN for the past three years, Kitty has demonstrated the leadership, expertise, and dedication that make her a highly deserving recipient of this award.
Kitty’s most prominent statewide contributions have been in the legislative arena. Across a wide range of issues, she has distinguished herself by developing deep subject matter expertise, commenting on and helping shape legislation, and cultivating mutually beneficial relationships with legislators and interest groups.
Kitty has been especially active on one of the greatest safety threats facing recycling programs: lithium-ion batteries.
Collaborating with bill sponsors, she helped establish the
Commission to Advance Lithium–Ion Battery Safety in Maryland in 2024 and
re-establish it in 2026 so the Commission can continue its work. Kitty is an active member of the Commission, which is expected to propose legislation to the 2027 General Assembly.
Read more about the Commission's continuing work.
Kitty was also instrumental in helping
Maryland’s Paint Container EPR legislation cross the finish line in 2024. She commented on draft legislation and amendments and testified at legislative hearings in support of the effort.
In addition, Kitty has worked closely with the sponsor of Mattress EPR legislation in Maryland.
Perhaps nothing better illustrates Kitty’s combination of subject matter expertise and persistence than her crucial, ongoing efforts to update Maryland’s antiquated electronics EPR law. Although Maryland has not yet adopted an improved electronics EPR law, Kitty has persevered and kept attention focused on the issue. Her widely recognized and extensive knowledge of electronics recycling even led the United States Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to invite her to provide
in-person testimony.
Throughout her highly conscientious five years on MRN’s Board, Kitty has also made significant contributions through her service on the Conference and Nominating Committees.
Kitty has also made her mark on recycling in Maryland through more than a decade of achievements at the
Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority. In 2016, she worked on a statewide waste sort for the Maryland Department of the Environment. Her projects at the Authority have also included regional procurements for recycling electronics, mattresses, and textiles, as well as planning assistance for Authority member jurisdictions.
At the heart of Kitty’s accomplishments is her strength of character. Her genuine care for other people and their perspectives, coupled with her environmental passion, helps explain why she is such an effective recycling advocate.
For these reasons and many more, MRN is delighted to announce
Kitty McIlroy as the 2026 recipient of the
Extraordinary Achievement Award.
*Pictured with MRN Board Member & Legislative Chair Chaz Miller
**Photo courtesy of Amy Lestition Burke.