Casella Center for Circular Economy and Sustainability

The Casella Center for Circular Economy and Sustainability at UVM is a research hub developing sustainable solutions for waste and materials management that reduce pollution and create economic opportunities.

Overview

Transitioning to a more circular economy where materials are recycled to reduce pollution and create further value is central to human prosperity and environmental responsibility. However, this transition presents several challenges that require innovative solutions.

The Casella Center for Circular Economy and Sustainability brings together leading scientists, engineers and waste management sector experts to address these challenges. It builds on three decades of collaboration between UVM and Casella Waste Systems, Inc. on research to reduce the environmental impact of waste. These efforts include decreasing greenhouse gas emissions from waste management systems, assessing and mitigating emerging contaminants that can pose obstacles to circularity, and life cycle assessments to clarify environmental costs and benefits. 

UVM Research Raju Badireddy in a lab wearing a white lab coat and blue gloves working with a test tube

Leading Experts

Drawing on expertise from UVM faculty, students, and industry partners, the Center addresses challenges as they emerge in real-time in the waste management sector.
A Casella truck on UVM's campus

Industry Collaboration

Creating stronger partnerships between industry and academia, the Center is built on collaborative relationships and expands UVM's circular economy research to find solutions that benefit the public and environment.
A group of UVM students in the RSENR ecodesign lab smiling and posing for a group photo

Benefit to Communities

Addressing the urgent need for practical solutions that work for people and planet, the Center's focus is to create more sustainable means for managing the materials that support everyday life.

Director

Eric Roy

Associate Professor • Director of the Casella Center for Circular Economy and Sustainability • Gund Institute for Environment Fellow

eric.roy@uvm.edu

Instructional programs: Environmental Sciences; Sustainability, Ecology, & Policy
Research: Nutrient biogeochemistry & management, Circular bioeconomy, Ecological engineering &...

Research Staff

Madison Kacica

Research Specialist, Casella Center Circular Economy and Sustainability

madison.kacica@uvm.edu

Faculty Affiliates

Appala Raju Badireddy

Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Hao Chen

Assistant Professor

Mandar Dewoolkar

Acting Dean, College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences • Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Joshua Faulkner

Research Associate Professor • Director, Agricultural and Environmental Testing Lab

Matthew J. Scarborough

Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering