EREF announces focus on sustainable materials management

The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) announced that it plans to continue its support of furthering education and research in waste by focusing on sustainable materials management.

While EREF has funded research projects and other initiatives related to sustainable materials management in the past, this new strategic direction will see EREF directly manage relationships with participants throughout the product lifecycle chain, including manufacturers, brands, consumers and waste industry personnel. According to the foundation, these new relationships will open doors to untapped constituents who can benefit from the foundation’s research and provide data to inform EREF studies.

EREF’s move into this space comes at a time when a number of industries are in search of solutions to more efficiently reuse and reduce waste. Given the high rate of contamination in recycling and China’s National Sword ban, the viability of recycling has been called into question. While one simple solution does not exist, EREF recognizes that all players must have access to credible science. Additionally, the foundation recognizes that greater education regarding the lifecycle of different product is necessary for an open dialogue to occur, which can help lead to solutions.

“Expansion into sustainable materials is a natural progression of EREF’s mission. We’ve occupied that space for years, through projects like the Solid Waste Optimization Life-Cycle Framework (SWOLF) model, and it only makes sense that we take on a bigger role,” EREF President and CEO Bryan Staley says. “EREF is well-positioned to have a huge impact on the way materials are sourced, produced and disposed of.”

As part of the news, EREF says it is adding to personnel to focus on the issue.

EREF announced that Debra Kantner has transitioned from the foundation’s data & policy program director to its sustainability director. In this role, Kantner will evaluate the sustainability of end-of-life options for discarded materials, track and communicate current scientific findings, and help educate product manufacturers and consumers regarding sustainable materials management strategies. An aspect of this will include internal research and data aggregation efforts.

Additionally, the foundation is currently searching for a sustainability development coordinator/manager who will be responsible for primary relationship building, marketing and promotion of EREF’s efforts to engage upstream product and packaging manufacturers. Other open positions include program manager of data & policy program and data analyst of data & policy program

To learn more about these positions, visit EREF's website.