Zero Waste and Circularity Data  

 

We traditionally think about materials that are thrown in the trash as waste and, therefore, they are assigned minimal value. 

The terms "materials management" and "circular economy" recognize that all items have inherent value and are oftentimes created from finite resources (think traditional plastics) and harmful extractive practices. Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) and the circular economy challenge us to systematically rethink how we use (or avoid using) and reuse materials more productively throughout their entire lifecycle. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the term circularity “entails decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources.” 

Instead of placing equal importance on reduction, reuse, and recycling, SMM and circularity most heavily emphasize source reduction (not using or producing something in the first place). All campus community members are encouraged to help in this effort by reducing what they purchase, reusing what they can, and avoiding single-use products – even if they are recyclable or compostable – to the greatest extent possible. 

ESF began to dramatically transform the ways that materials are viewed, managed, and tracked in 2019. Compared to our 2018 baseline, the college-wide diversion rate (material diverted from landfill/incineration by recycling, composting, or reuse) has increased from 28.8% to 55.67% and the total weight of materials thrown in the trash has decreased by 21.77%*.
*as of January 1, 2025 

ESF published a case study in November 2025 that outlines many of the circularity programs the college has implemented since 2019. It also profiles the partnerships that made this progress possible. 

Striving for Circularity Case Study

The dashboard below, powered by Zabble, allows anyone to explore ESF's materials data and filter by campus, stream, and year (2018 and beyond).