Skip to content

Powering the science of sustainable resource management

Our world faces a growing challenge to address how people create, use, and discard the materials that make our lives. With more than 30 years of experience, EREF is the proven source for unbiased, scientific reports and analysis on sustainable materials management.

Advancing a sustainable economy

Instead of a linear economy—which moves raw materials through manufacturing, distribution, and consumption to create waste—we imagine a circular economy that keeps materials moving through reuse, repair, redistribution, and recycling to preserve natural resources and minimize climate-altering emissions.

How we advance circularity

Our impact is driven by our core research pillars

Photograph

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

Learn More
Photograph

EMERGING CONTAMINANTS

Photograph

ADVANCING MATERIALS REUSE & RECYCLING

active projects
scholars funded in 2025
funded in research & scholarships since 1992

Featured report

2024 Analysis of MSW Landfill Tipping Fees

Read the Report

Our Most Popular Resources

Guides & Reports

More

Science Sessions

More

Scholarships & Grants

More

News

August 13, 2026

EREF Science Session to Explore Avoided Emissions in the Solid Waste Industry

RALEIGH, NC, August 13, 2026 – As organizations work to quantify and communicate their environmental impacts, avoided emissions have become an increasingly important topic in…

Read more

June 16, 2026

EREF Auction Raises More Than $4 Million to Advance Waste and Recycling Research 

Industry support funds scholarships, scientific research, and industry education initiatives  RALEIGH, N.C. (June 16, 2026) – The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) raised over $4 million during…

Read more
More News

Events

Understanding Avoided Emissions in the Solid Waste Industry

As organizations work to better understand and communicate their environmental impacts, avoided emissions are becoming an increasingly important part of the conversation around greenhouse gas…

Register
2026 Fall Classic & Networking Event

EREF is pleased to announce the return of the EREF Fall Classic & Networking Event, scheduled for September 2–3, 2026, at the Eaglewood Resort &…

Register