Ron Gonen is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Closed Loop Partners, the New York based circular economy platform he started in 2014, spanning venture capital, private equity, catalytic capital and private credit, an innovation center and operating companies including Circular Services. He previously co-founded Recyclebank, a recycling rewards company he led as CEO, and served as Deputy Commissioner of Sanitation, Recycling and Sustainability for New York City during the Bloomberg administration. He holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, where he has taught as an adjunct professor, and is the author of The Waste-Free World. His recognitions include a UN Environment Programme honor and Columbia University's Medal of Excellence.
Education
MBA, Columbia Business School
Previous Experience
Co-founder and CEO, Recyclebank (2004-2010)
Deputy Commissioner of Sanitation, Recycling and Sustainability, City of New York (Bloomberg administration)
Adjunct Professor, Columbia University
Board Seats
Board Member, A Good Option
Career Timeline
2004
Earned his MBA from Columbia Business School and co-founded Recyclebank, a recycling rewards company he led as CEO.
2009
Honored by the United Nations Environment Programme while CEO of Recyclebank.
2014
Founded Closed Loop Partners in New York with backing from the Walmart Foundation and major corporations.
2021
Published The Waste-Free World with Penguin Random House.
2022
Launched Circular Services, Closed Loop Partners' first operating company, which the firm describes as the largest privately held recycling and composting company in the US.