Products and the way we use them can have a significant impact on the environment. Our center's goal is to significantly improve the circularity, energy performance, and other environmental sustainability aspects of materials. A sustainable material is likely to display one or more of the following characteristics:

• Uses less energy to harvest

• Lasts longer

• Can be easily repaired

• Parts can be easily disassembled and put to further use

• Contains fewer substances of concern

• Can be easily recycled

• Contains more recycled content

• Has a lower carbon and environmental footprint over its lifecycle