Center for Sustainable Materials Management

And that's a wrap on our 2024 fall conference, "Rethinking Resource Use: Regional Perspectives"!  We are immensely thankful for the partnership with the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) and the collaboration with the Institute for Sustainability Engagement & Environmental Finance Center (ISE) at Syracuse University, formerly the Center for Sustainable Community Solutions (CSCS), which were instrumental in making this event a success. We kicked off with an inspiring keynote from Dr. Garry Cooper Jr., CEO and Co-founder of Rheaply. Dr. Cooper shared how their company is employing technology to reduce costs and carbon emissions by keeping reusable materials out of landfills. In a few short months of modernizing the surplus exchange at SUNY-ESF, the college has saved 40,000 dollars and diverted over 6k lbs. of materials.  Our day 1 sessions featured industry leaders discussing methods for managing difficult-to-recycle fibers, recycling markets for materials like glass and flow maps to track material movement, green procurement guidelines for sustainable purchasing, effective outreach strategies, and so much more! Want to learn more? You are welcome to access the presentation slides from all three days of the conference here: https://lnkd.in/gGup8bcK! #CSMM #Sustainablematerials #Plasticfree #SUNYInnovation #Zerowaste #Bioplastics #Nonrecyclablepaper #EnvironmentalLeadership #WasteManagement #EnvironmentalImpact #NewYork #NERC #Composting #SustainabilityScience 

Wrapping up our 3-day conference hosted with Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) at State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry with the dynamic panel "A Dive into Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging"! CSMM and our partners look forward to taking these lessons learned from these national leaders in our research and efforts to support EPR for paper and packaging legislation moving forward here in New York State! Thank you so much to the panelists for traveling to Central NY to join us for this critical conversation! Alejandro Perez, Erica N. , Lucy Mullany, Megan Daum, Rachel Setzke.

Discover how the Center for Sustainable Materials Management at SUNY-ESF is leading the way in recycling and waste management. This film highlights Professor Douglas Daley’s innovative approach to converting non-recyclable papers into compost.

Our 2024 fall conference is quickly approaching. "Rethinking Resource Use: Regional Perspectives," will be held in partnership with the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) and in collaboration with Syracuse University Center for Sustainable Community Solutions from October 28th to October 30th, 2024, in Syracuse, NY at SUNY ESF! To learn more about the speakers and agenda visit NERC’s website: https://lnkd.in/gG6JD-Um   Join us for three days of networking, learning, and rethinking how we manage materials.  There is still time to register! Register here: https://lnkd.in/d9Zma_it  

Explore how Alfred University’s Center for Glass Innovation, in collaboration with CSMM, is addressing New York State’s glass recycling challenges. Watch this short film featuring Dean Gabrielle Gaustad and her team’s work in increasing the use of recycled glass cullets.

CSMM Executive Director Kathryn Walker discusses new report on textile recovery in New York State.

CSMM is thrilled to share our report “Textile Recovery in New York State: A comprehensive assessment of data and needs”. This in-depth analysis and collaborative effort between CSMM and RRS (Resource Recycling Systems) offers a thorough look into textile waste flows, infrastructure, and consumer behavior. The report highlights that while there are many existing options for diverting textile waste from landfill disposal in New York State, significant challenges remain. Participation and convenience-related factors, particularly the ease of access to diversion options, such as dedicated county and retail collection programs, are notable hurdles. Additionally, the study underscores the need for greater supply chain transparency and improved textile waste data. CSMM would like to thank the many people and partners that made this report possible. We would like to extend sincere thanks to change agent and textile recycling queen, Marisa Adler, who led the project on behalf of RRS, CSMM’s Project Manager, Kweku Attafuah-Wadee, who kept us motivated, as well as our key partner, Syracuse University Center for Sustainable Community Solutions & Environmental Finance Center, who is supporting outreach and education on this report - making sure it is ready for public consumption! Many thanks to the numerous organizations that aided our research efforts, some of whom are listed here: Goodwill of the Finger Lakes, Helpsy®, Wearable Collections, Planet Aid, Inc, St. Pauly Textile, Inc., USAgain, and Green Tree Textile Recycling.  #textiles #textilerecovery #sustainblematerialsmanagment #textilerecycling #transparency https://lnkd.in/gEJNC62M

Discover the cutting-edge work being done at the Center for Sustainable Materials Management at SUNY-ESF in recycling and waste reduction. This video spotlights Professor Bandaru Ramarao’s innovative approach to biodegradable bioplastics, advancing the future of sustainable materials.

We are thrilled to announce that the Center for Sustainable Materials Management (CSMM) at SUNY-ESF has received the 2024 USGBC NY Upstate Community Champion Award! This prestigious recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) celebrates our work with TRUE Certification for Zero Waste (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) to help businesses achieve zero-waste goals and TRUE certification. This year has been particularly inspiring as we've had the privilege of working alongside incredible partners on their TRUE journeys. From Goodwill of the Finger Lakes and UBS Arena achieving TRUE Precertification, to CHANEL’s 5th Avenue store, Maison Jar, Re:Dish Co. and Staach reaching for TRUE Certification, we're proud to collaborate with such forward-thinking organizations committed to sustainability. Our shared efforts are not just changing the way businesses operate but are also setting a new standard for environmental stewardship across New York State.    To learn more about the CSMM and TRUE partnership, click the link below. https://lnkd.in/dSeqWP-9 In the photo from left to right: Syracuse University Center for Sustainable Community Solutions & Environmental Finance Center Director Melissa Young, Director of Client Solutions for TRUE Zero Waste certification with the USGBC Celeste McMickle, CSMM Executive Director Kathryn Walker Walker, SUNY-ESF Executive Operating and Chief Sustainability Officer Mark M. Lichtenstein, and USGBC Co-Founder Rick Fedrizzi in Albany at the award ceremony.

Explore the origins of the Center for Sustainable Materials Management and its mission to revolutionize waste reduction through a quality-first approach. This video showcases the collaborative efforts of Mark M. Lichtenstein, Dereth Glance of NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and Kathryn Walker, CSMM’s Executive Director, as they lead the charge towards sustainable innovation.