The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry聽(ESF) and its Center for Sustainable Materials Management (CSMM) have released a new case study highlighting the College鈥檚 national leadership in advancing circular economy strategies and zero waste innovation.
In January 2024, ESF became the first institution of higher education in the United States to achieve campus-wide Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE) Precertification for zero waste operations at its Syracuse campus, awarded by the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). This recognition marked a milestone in higher education sustainability and affirmed ESF鈥檚 long-standing commitment to resource efficiency, transparency, and systems change.
Since then, ESF has continued to earn national accolades: the Post Landfill Action Network (PLAN) named the College the #2 Zero Waste Campus in the nation in October 2024 and in November 2025, and Rheaply honored ESF and CSMM with its Innovator Award in January 2025 for leadership in circular materials management and reuse systems.
鈥淓SF has earned recognition as one of the nation鈥檚 top zero waste campuses and it reflects the dedication of our community to creating systems that protect resources, reduce emissions, and inspire change,鈥� said ESF President Joanie Mahoney. 鈥淭his case study demonstrates that higher education can lead the way in building a circular economy, and ESF is proud to set that standard for institutions across the country.鈥�
鈥淭his case study tells a story of progress and partnership,鈥� said Sue Fassler, director of sustainability at ESF. 鈥淭hrough collaboration with CSMM and our students, faculty, and staff, we are demonstrating that circular economy principles can be applied at every scale of campus operations 鈥� from procurement to reuse- and that these systems can inspire real cultural change.鈥�
The new case study documents how ESF鈥檚 waste diversion rate increased from 29% in 2018 to 56% by the end of 2024, and how the total weight of material sent to landfill and incineration decreased by 22% over the same period. These improvements were achieved through targeted reuse and recycling programs, expanded organics management, and cross-departmental coordination aligned with TRUE Zero Waste standards.
鈥淪UNY ESF鈥檚 achievement represents a landmark moment for higher education. By integrating TRUE Zero Waste principles campus-wide, ESF demonstrates how institutions can build scalable systems that protect natural resources, reduce emissions, and inspire the next generation of sustainability leaders,鈥� said Celeste McMickle, director of market transformation and development for TRUE with the USGBC.