waste reduction and recycling

Sep 3, 2025

How Hyper-detailed Cameras Will Make Recycling More Efficient

A new study uses advanced imaging technology to identify materials in municipal solid waste that can be separated for recycling or to produce energy. The study made use of hyperspectral imaging, a method that uses powerful optical sensors which capture the light spectrum across every pixel in an image. By analyzing the ways that different…

Mar 21, 2022

New Biomaterial Could Save Our Oceans From Plastic Pollution

NC State researchers have discovered how to convert leftover sawdust powder and agro-residues into a Styrofoam-like packaging material.

Nov 13, 2020

Sport and the Environment: What is the Connection?

Sport can negatively impact the environment, something teams and colleges across the country are working to remedy.

tractor with compost in front of hoop structure

Apr 21, 2020

Closing the Loop

NC State’s new Compost Facility and Research Cooperative diverts organic waste from the landfill, giving it new life in a number of beneficial ways on campus.

Aug 31, 2017

Carter-Finley Expands Compost Effort

When the Wolfpack returns to Carter-Finley Stadium for its first home football game, so will composting and recycling in order to reduce gameday waste.

May 18, 2017

Western Manor Apartments Lead Pack In Recycling Competition

Residents of NC State’s Western Manor Apartments led the Wolfpack to its strongest finish yet in a nationwide collegiate recycling competition this winter. RecycleMania is a national competition of more than 300 universities competing to reduce campus landfill waste while also boosting recycling and composting rates.

Feb 15, 2017

Winter Break Conservation Saves $300,000

Since 2004, NC State has saved $3.5 million in energy costs by shutting down campus buildings during the winter holiday break, including nearly $300,000 this past year.

The partial demolition of Harrelson Hall.

Feb 2, 2017

Harrelson: From Savaged to Salvaged

Through the years, many people enjoyed tearing down Harrelson Hall figuratively and rejoiced in seeing it torn down literally last year. However, the promise to keep remnants of the iconic round building out of the landfill was fulfilled, as 95 percent of its non-hazardous materials and content were reclaimed and recycled.

Nov 2, 2016

Grad Student Builds Campus Pollinator Garden

Graduate student Melissa Tinling used a grant from the NC State Sustainability Fund to build a pollinator garden on Centennial Campus, a project that helps manage stormwater and provides a habitat for native pollinators like bees, moths and butterflies.

Oct 12, 2016

NC State Meets State-Mandated Reduction Goals

NC State's department of Energy Management recently announced that the school has reached state-mandated goals to reduce energy and water usage numbers by 50 and 33 percent, respectively, despite two decades of rapid expansion on campus.

May 17, 2016

Harrelson’s Final Stand

When students come back for the fall semester, Harrelson Hall will be gone.

May 3, 2016

Sustainability Fund Gives 15 Grants for 2016

The NC State Sustainability Fund gives 15 grants totaling $161,000 for campus sustainability projects.

Apr 21, 2016

Green Bricks Honor Sustainability Efforts

The annual Green Brick Awards were given on April 15, honoring the top sustainability efforts on campus.

Mar 24, 2016

Gearing Up for Earth Month

Beginning next week, NC State will host a slew of activities highlighting campus sustainability efforts as part of Earth Month, including a full day of activities on April 13 in celebration of worldwide Earth Day and the 30 Days, 30 Ways Challenge.

Feb 25, 2016

Students Design Sustainability Solutions

At NC State's inaugural Make-A-Thon, 42 students on 11 teams competed to create new solutions to campus sustainability challenges.