Casella Launches $1.5M UVM Circular Economy Research Center

Casella Waste Systems Inc. has announced a significant partnership with the University of Vermont (UVM) to establish the Casella Center for Circular Economy and Sustainability, with a commitment of $1.5 million. This center will be the first of its kind in the industry, creating an interdisciplinary hub for research, workshops, and lectures focused on sustainable waste management, climate leadership, and community engagement. UVM professor Eric Roy, an environmental scientist, will serve as the inaugural director, aiming to advance research that supports the transition to a circular economy. UVM Interim President Patricia Prelock emphasized the center's potential to develop practical solutions for environmental challenges, combining UVM's academic resources with Casella's industry expertise. This initiative builds on three decades of collaboration between the two entities and reflects a growing emphasis on sustainability within the waste management sector. The center will also provide opportunities for students, including hosting one Ph.D. and two undergraduate or M.S. students each year.