Sustainable Materials Management Technical Division

The SMM TD works to promote state-of-the-art approaches to improving management and profitability of waste reduction, recycling, organics management, and special waste programs. SMM TD members view waste as a resource and strive for circular economy results. Here are a few examples:

• Reducing waste at the source prevents the need to manage materials at end of use.
• Reusing and refurbishing items prolongs their useful life. 
• Recycling creates jobs, conserves natural resources, and saves energy.
• Domestic recycling helps strengthen the US economy. 
• Food rescue and recovery ensures that edible food nourishes hungry people and animals.
• Organic wastes (food scraps and plant material) can be responsibly managed to reduce landfilled material and produce beneficial end products, such as compost and renewable energy.
• Special wastes, some of which can be hazardous, must be managed and processed safely and appropriately.
• Sustainable materials management helps sustain the environment for future generations.