At the UGA New Materials Institute, we believe that a material’s useful end-of-life should be considered at the design stage and that Green Engineering principles should be part of this process.
Researchers from the Circularity Informatics Lab at the University of Georgia recently examined five-years (2019-2023) of published peer-reviewed manuscripts on the circular economy to identify knowledge gaps related to the circularity of single-use plastic packaging.
In addition to laboratories focused on circularity, did you know the University of Georgia campus is home to a roof top garden that serves as research space for research into urban heat islands? Or that within a few miles from campus there exists a community garden founded and maintained—since 2010—by student workers, interns and volunteers who grow food to feed food-insecure residents?
The University of Georgia New Materials Institute’s (UGA NMI) Circularity Informatics Lab (CIL) has joined the Urban Ocean program as a core partner and program co-lead. Led by Professor Jenna Jambeck, CIL joins founding co-leads The Circulate Initiative and Resilient Cities Network to help steer Urban Ocean’s strategy, implementation, and growth. Launched in 2020 by Ocean Conservancy, The Circulate Initiative, and Resilient Cities Network, Urban Ocean helps cities prevent plastic pollution and strengthen circular systems.
An all-women sailing crew led by eXXpedition is undertaking a global study to map ocean plastic pollution to its sources on land. Their research—to be collected by 10 crews over 10 legs in 5 ocean basins, through 2027— will be guided by the Circularity Assessment Protocol (CAP) developed by Jenna Jambeck, a professor of environmental engineering at the University of Georgia, and by scientists in Jambeck’s Circularity Informatics Lab (CIL), which is serving as the Science & Research Lead for the upcoming voyages.
By 2040, the cost to U.S. taxpayers for managing plastic municipal solid waste is projected to surge by 30% to $37 billion per year, according to a new report from The Pew Charitable Trusts that includes input from waste management experts in the University of Georgia New Materials Institute.
Three UGA New Materials Institute faculty members were recognized at 2025 Research Awards at the University of Georgia.
A pilot program co-managed by researchers from the UGA New Materials Institute to study curbside collection of food scrap and other organic waste in Athens-Clarke County resulted in more than 19 tons of collected material in three months, along with the community’s desire for more.
Jenna Jambeck, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Georgia, was recently named the 2024 SEC Professor of the Year for her decades of work investigating the global scale of plastic pollution and galvanizing efforts to address solid waste and marine debris.
Jenna Jambeck has been named a Regents’ Professor in recognition of the national and international reach of her work in environmental engineering. Regents’ professorships are bestowed by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and are the highest professorial recognition in the state’s system of public colleges and universities.
Jenna Jambeck, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Georgia, was named a 2022 MacArthur Fellow on Wednesday (Oct. 12) for her work investigating the scale of plastic pollution and galvanizing efforts to address plastic waste.
Commonly known as “Genius Grants,” the fellowship presented by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is among the most prestigious in the country. It is awarded to individuals who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits for the benefit of society. Fellows are nominated by a select pool of experts and leaders in the arts, sciences, humanities and more areas.
Jambeck becomes the second UGA faculty member to receive the award.
Jambeck co-founded the New Materials Institute and leads its Center for Circular Materials Management.