SUNY ESF's Center for Sustainable Materials Management Receives $3.25 Million to Strengthen and Grow

Sustainable Waste Management Efforts Across New York

06/23/2026

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — June 23, 2026  — The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's (ESF) New York State Center for Sustainable Materials Management (CSMM) will receive $3.25 million in new funding through the state’s $425 million Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). This EPF funding, administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), will help to advance waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable materials management across New York.

Since 2019, CSMM, working with Syracuse University’s Institute for Sustainability Engagement, has served as a statewide resource supporting governments, businesses, and communities in improving materials management systems. This new funding will support priority projects to further strengthen New York’s sustainable materials infrastructure.

“This investment from Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature, reflects New York state’s commitment to supporting ESF's focus on innovation, sustainability, and resilience,” said ESF President Joanie Mahoney. “At ESF, we translate research into real-world solutions that strengthen communities, support economic growth, and protect natural resources. The Center for Sustainable Materials Management brings partners together to tackle critical environmental challenges, and this funding will further advance ESF’s leadership and SUNY’s statewide impact.”

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s and the Legislature’s record investment in advancing innovative materials management solutions for New York, the Center for Sustainable Materials Management is well positioned to tackle today’s solid waste and sustainability challenges head-on. DEC is excited to continue collaborating with CSMM as we work towards achieving the goals laid out in the State Solid Waste Management Plan to build the circular economy through sustainable materials management, and to ensure New York’s legacy of environmental stewardship continues.”

“The Center for Sustainable Materials Management is helping communities across New York turn sustainability goals into real results. That’s why I proudly support more funding for this work. By expanding recycling, reducing waste, and helping local governments and organizations implement effective materials management, this program is making a meaningful difference for communities across our state. I'm grateful to everyone involved in this effort to build a cleaner, more sustainable New York,” said New York State Senator Rachel May.

This award builds on more than $11 million in Environmental Protection Fund investments supporting CSMM since 2019, along with over $6 million in additional funding secured by CSMM, ESF, and Syracuse University partners. These investments have enabled statewide applied research, student opportunities, expanded technical assistance, and strengthened waste reduction, reuse, and local economic development efforts.

“The Environmental Protection Fund continues to be one of New York’s most important investments in environmental protection and sustainability. This funding allows CSMM to build on the incredible momentum of the past several years and continue advancing the research, technical expertise, and innovative programs that help New York move toward a more circular economy.  Through our dynamic collaborations and by working across sectors, we transform innovative ideas into practical, scalable solutions to help communities reduce waste, increase diversion, and help the state achieve the diversion goals outlined in the DEC’s Solid Waste Management Plan,” said Kathryn Walker, executive director CSMM.  

Established in 2020, the Center leads efforts to advance materials reduction, reuse, and recycling across New York and beyond. Guided by a vision of minimizing waste and treating materials as valuable resources, the Center works to inspire collaboration and drive more sustainable and equitable materials management systems. Learn more at www.centerforsmm.org.

“CSMM demonstrates the power of bringing together research, policy, and practice to solve complex environmental challenges. As the only center of its kind in the nation, CSMM serves as a unique partnership among government, academia, industry, and communities to advance sustainable materials management. We are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul, the Legislature, DEC, SUNY, and our many partners for their continued confidence in this work and the impact we can achieve together.,” said Mark Lichtenstein, CSMM co-founder, principal investigator, and adjunct professor at ESF.

 “ISE is honored to have been woven into the fabric of the Center for Sustainable Materials Management since its earliest days, and this milestone funding is a testament to what a dedicated partnership can accomplish. Our conviction at ISE is that community engagement is not peripheral to sustainability work; it is central to what makes programs take root and endure. We look forward to continuing this collaboration and to ensuring that authentic, inclusive engagement remains the thread that runs through all CSMM's important initiatives,” said Melissa Young, director of the Institute for Sustainability Engagement at Syracuse University.

"The Center for Sustainable Materials Management does critically important work to advance sustainable materials management across New York state and is a vital partner in helping NYSAR³ fulfill its mission. We are thrilled that our advocacy and support have helped secure the Center’s future and ensure its important work can continue for years to come,” said Dan Lilkas-Rain, president of the New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR³)

About SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF)

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.