NYSP2I Presents Green Chemistry Workshop for Manufacturers at SUNY ESF

Syracuse event led by green chemistry pioneer Dr. John Warner

11/05/2026

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Nov. 5, 2026 – The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are presenting a statewide workshop series to help New York manufacturers reduce waste, improve efficiency, and strengthen competitiveness through green chemistry.

The Syracuse session of Creating Competitive Advantage: Foundational Green Chemistry Training for Industry was held Nov. 5 at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) and hosted by its Center for Sustainable Materials Management.  Co-hosted by NYSP2I and DEC, the workshops are offered free of charge to participants through funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The program was led by Dr. John Warner, an industrial chemist who co-founded the field of green chemistry. Warner co-authored the 1998 book that established the definition and 12 principles of green chemistry, founded the first doctoral program in the discipline and holds more than 370 patents.

Participants learned strategies to reduce hazardous waste, improve operational performance and identify opportunities for technical assistance and funding that support implementation of greener manufacturing practices.

“Manufacturers are increasingly looking for ways to innovate while reducing waste, improving efficiency and meeting evolving market demands,” said Joanie Mahoney, president of ESF. “This workshop brings together expertise, resources and practical strategies that can help New York companies strengthen their operations while advancing environmental sustainability.”

“We value our collaboration with NYSP2I and the opportunity to leverage our shared expertise and resources,” said Kathryn Walker, executive director of ESF's Center for Sustainable Materials Management. “Partnerships like this help advance solutions that benefit both New York's economy and environment.”

“Partnerships with regional organizations like ESF's Center for Sustainable Materials Management are critical to expanding the reach and impact of green chemistry across New York State,” said Roy Green, director of NYSP2I which is housed at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). “By bringing manufacturers together with technical experts and proven strategies, we're helping businesses uncover opportunities to reduce costs, improve processes and strengthen their long-term competitiveness.”

Deepak Kumar, associate professor in ESF's Department of Chemical Engineering, and Walker attended the workshop and engaged with Dr. Warner and NYSP2I scientists who delivered the training for participating manufacturers.

Additional workshops are scheduled for:

• Jan. 26, 2027, virtual webinar
• Feb. 25, 2027, in Albany
• March 23, 2027, on Long Island

Registration and additional information are available at nysp2i.rit.edu/greenchem-for-industry.

About SUNY ESF   

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is one of the nation's premier colleges focused on the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable future. ESF’s Mission is to educate future environmental leaders of all backgrounds, advance knowledge, and skills necessary to promote scholarship and stewardship of the natural to designed environments, and act both locally and globally to Improve Our World. ESF’s students, faculty, staff, and alumni make a global impact on improving and sustaining the environment. ESF offers a world-class education among a close-knit community of more than 2,000 scholars with common values and a shared sense of purpose. ESF’s tight-knit community is centered alongside Syracuse University in the heart of Central New York and has a system of properties spanning 25,000 acres that broadly represent New York state’s rich ecological diversity for scientific study and instruction.  To learn more, visit www.esf.edu.   

About the Center for Sustainable Materials Management (CSMM)

The Center for Sustainable Materials Management (CSMM) was formally established at ESF in the spring of 2020 through a grant administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). CSMM, ESF, and DEC’s other partners have established leadership roles with materials (waste) reduction, reuse, and recycling in New York and the U.S. The Center’s mission is to inspire, lead, and connect a diverse group of people and organizations that collectively challenge the concept of “waste,” through redefining and reimagining how we procure, produce, consume, manage, and market materials. Learn more at www.centerforsmm.org.

About the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) 

The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) is a statewide resource dedicated to helping industries, communities, and institutions advance pollution prevention and sustainable practices. NYSP2I is led by the Center for Innovation in Manufacturing and Sustainability (CIMS) at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and is a partnership among Binghamton University, Clarkson University, Cornell University, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In collaboration with the New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NY MEP), NYSP2I also works closely with manufacturers across the state to advance sustainable production and support their sustainability efforts. To learn more, visit www.nysp2i.rit.edu.