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鈥攕uch as furniture and lab supplies鈥攌eeping 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. 鈥淓SF has a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation,鈥� said ESF President Joanie Mahoney. 鈥淲e 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.鈥�
鈥淭his award is a testament to our team鈥檚 dedication and ingenuity,鈥� said聽Kathryn Walker, executive director of CSMM. 鈥淏y reimagining waste as a resource, we鈥檙e helping build a more sustainable future. We鈥檙e honored to receive this recognition from Rheaply.鈥�
ESF鈥檚 sustainability efforts continue to earn national recognition. In 2024, the College was named the聽#2 Zero Waste Campus聽by the Post Landfill Action Network (PLAN) and the聽#4 Green College聽by the Princeton Review.
鈥淪ustainability requires more than policies鈥攊t demands action,鈥� said聽Sue Fassler, ESF鈥檚 director of sustainability. 鈥淭he ESF Resource Exchange has solved a long-standing challenge: getting unused materials back into circulation. This reduces waste, lowers costs, and minimizes new purchases.鈥�
ESF is also launching its聽Sustainability Action Plan聽to achieve carbon neutrality, expand renewable energy, cut energy use, and reduce landfill and incineration waste. The plan supports ESF鈥檚 mission to train future environmental leaders and foster community partnerships for sustainability solutions.