Circular Economy | Golisano Institute for Sustainability

We are changing how products are made and consumed to keep materials in use for as long as possible and out of landfills.

Research Themes

Regenerative systems

Resource efficiency

Waste and emissions reduction

Economics

Design

Business models

Featured Work

Electronics Factory Worker Assembling Circuit Boards by Hand

Tools for Circular Economy Planning

GIS researchers made the environmental and economic case for remanufacturing and other processes that retain the value of products through the extension of their useful life, introducing the concept of value-retention processes (VRPs) to circular economy planning.
Partner: United Nations Environmental Program’s International Resource Panel

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Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for Remanufacturing Business Model

GIS researchers developed a life cycle assessment (LCA) for a company that remanufactures office furniture that verified the competitive advantage of its remanufacturing business model.
Partner: Davies Office Inc.

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System Modeling and Decision Frameworks

GIS researchers created a modeling framework to help decision-makers understand the underlying drivers of wasted food within regional food systems. It can be used to drive more effective technology, policy, education, and collaboration to prevent wasted food.
Partners: American University and 12 other U.S. research universities

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woman at computer working on CAD project

Designing Products for the Circular Economy

GIS researchers developed qualitative and quantitative design for remanufacturing (DfR) rules that can be integrated into existing computer-aided design (CAD) and engineering tools to increase circular economy options at the end of a product’s life.
Partners: Caterpillar Inc. and Remanufacturing Industry Council

chassis dynamometer hooked up to machines to test performance

Life Extension and Sustainment of High-Value Assets

GIS researchers worked with the U.S. Department of Defense to advance its remanufacturing, sustainment, life extension, and modernization practices to improve the reliability of assets and reduce the cost of military systems and enhance safety.
Partners: Office of Naval Research (ONR), the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Marine Corps

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Evaluation of Industrial Waste as Critical Material Supply

GIS researchers furthered understanding of secondary feedstocks (waste) with high concentrations of rare earth elements to serve as a viable future supply of critical materials.
Partner: National Science Foundation

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World-Class Facilities

Our nine applied research labs, architecture studio, student study spaces, and six technology testbeds, including our new state-of-the-art remanufacturing testbed, are geared to help us meet applied circular economy goals.

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