SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s Center for Sustainable Materials Management Honored with Innovator Award

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): The Center for Sustainable Materials Management (CSMM) at The State University of New York (SUNY) College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) has received the 2024 Rheaply Innovator Award, recognizing its creative use of the Rheaply platform to advance sustainability.

Since partnering with Rheaply in 2024, ESF has made significant progress in promoting reuse. The Rheaply-powered ESF Resource Exchange allows faculty, staff, and graduate students to list and claim surplus property for use on campus—such as furniture and lab supplies—keeping materials in circulation longer.

In just six months, the project facilitated 280 exchanges, saved over $55,000, and diverted nearly 9,000 pounds of material from landfills. “ESF has a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation,” said ESF President Joanie Mahoney. “We are proud of the Center for Sustainable Materials Management team for their leadership in advancing reuse and circular economy practices, demonstrating the real-world impact of our mission.”

“This award is a testament to our team’s dedication and ingenuity,” said Kathryn Walker, executive director of CSMM. “By reimagining waste as a resource, we’re helping build a more sustainable future. We’re honored to receive this recognition from Rheaply.”

ESF’s sustainability efforts continue to earn national recognition. In 2024, the College was named the #2 Zero Waste Campus by the Post Landfill Action Network (PLAN) and the #4 Green College by the Princeton Review.

“Sustainability requires more than policies—it demands action,” said Sue Fassler, ESF’s director of sustainability. “The ESF Resource Exchange has solved a long-standing challenge: getting unused materials back into circulation. This reduces waste, lowers costs, and minimizes new purchases.”

ESF is also launching its Sustainability Action Plan to achieve carbon neutrality, expand renewable energy, cut energy use, and reduce landfill and incineration waste. The plan supports ESF’s mission to train future environmental leaders and foster community partnerships for sustainability solutions.

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantagemag.com