Sustainability
As a leader in groundbreaking sustainability research, teaching, and engagement, RIT serves as a living laboratory for sustainable technologies, practices, and philosophies.
6
Applied research centers dedicated to energy, manufacturing, transportation, and the built environment
$14M+
Sponsored research funding each year in sustainability
12
Labs and test beds dedicated to sustainability research
74%
Academic departments that offer sustainability-related courses
Research Centers
New York State Pollution Prevention Institute
Gives Empire State businesses, communities, and nonprofits the practical tools and solutions they need to realize the benefits of sustainability for our economy, environment, and our society as a whole.
Learn more about the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute
Center of Excellence in Advanced and Sustainable Manufacturing
We help companies solve technical problems and explore opportunities to reduce costs, improve quality, and minimize environmental impacts. The Center of Excellence in Advanced and Sustainable Manufacturing is a partnership between New York state and RIT dedicated to helping state manufacturers develop and apply new technologies that create competitive business advantages.
Learn more about the Center of Excellence in Advanced and Sustainable Manufacturing
Center for Remanufacturing and Resource Recovery
We’re the world’s leading research center dedicated to the advancement of remanufacturing. At the Center for Remanufacturing and Resource Recovery, we’re meeting the biggest challenges facing the remanufacturing industry. Our team of researchers, engineers, and experts combine the power of innovative research with practical industrial experience to develop new technologies that will grow remanufacturing’s potential for businesses.
Learn more about the Center for Remanufacturing and Resource Recovery
Center for Sustainable Energy Systems
The global demand for energy continues to grow. The industrial sector is one of the largest consumers of energy, yet energy efficiency can be an afterthought among manufacturers under the daily pressures of fulfilling customer orders. Our team works closely with industry partners, government agencies, utilities, and other research centers to develop new energy systems, applications, and products.
Center for Sustainable Mobility
Transportation alone accounts for more than 25% of carbon dioxide emissions globally. At the Center for Sustainable Mobility, we’re focused on what comes next for our cities. We conduct advanced research to discover the technologies and processes that will drive the next generation of sustainable mobility. It’s not just about vehicles, but how all mobility technologies work together.
NanoPower Research Laboratories
The NanoPower Research Laboratories researches novel nanomaterials, devices for power generation and storage, and emerging materials for photonic and optoelectronic applications.
Related Degree Programs
- Architecture M.Arch.
- Civil Engineering Technology BS
- Environmental Science BS
- Environmental Science MS
- Environmental Sustainability, Health and Safety BS
- Environmental, Health and Safety Management MS
- Packaging Science BS
- Packaging Science MS
- Sustainability Ph.D.
- Sustainable Engineering ME
- Sustainable Engineering MS
- Sustainable Systems MS
Related News
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April 12, 2019
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RIT honors researchers
RIT honored researchers who served as principal investigators on active awards in fiscal year 2018 at an April 11 reception. Also recognized were the 20 recipients of Seed Funding Awards and 12 new inductees in RIT’s PI Millionaires.
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January 18, 2019
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RIT receives grant to assess research needs of cultural institutions
RIT has received a $165,000 grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support assessment initiatives that will inform and strengthen short- and long-term research goals and institutional planning at RIT’s Image Permanence Institute.
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November 12, 2018
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RIT researchers take a bite out of food waste
The Golisano Institute for Sustainability is employing food waste treatment technology and equipment in its new food waste utilization testbed—the goal of which is to share results with businesses—by using excess food from RIT’s dining halls. -
October 24, 2018
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RIT’s Nasr releases U.N. report on circular economies
Rethinking how industrial products are manufactured and dealing with them at the end of their useful life could provide breakthrough environmental, social and economic benefits, according to new research from the International Resource Panel.
