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Industrial Ecology and Green Chemistry

Industrial ecology and green design are key to addressing many of the sustainability challenges posed by ever-increasing industrial production.In this LC, students study the energy and materials used in industry, and develop strategic approaches to the design, use, and re-use of materials.

On This Page

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    Alumni Impacts

    Deneile Cooper speaking at a Housing Authority event in New York City

    Waste Warrior

    As founding chair of the New York City Public Housing Authority Recycling Committee, DeNeile Cooper ’22 MEM is working to boost recycling efforts in public housing units.

    Only 2% of waste from NYCHA units is recycled. Nationally, that rate is 32%.

    “This work has been successful so far because it involves a variety of stakeholders who bring unique perspectives to create programs that work for everyone,” says Cooper, who is a member of the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board.

    Related Centers, Programs, and Initiatives

    Workers disassembling eltrical equipment
    Centers & Programs

    Center for Industrial Ecology (CIE)

    Leading the way in an emerging field, the Center for Industrial Ecology focuses research, teaching, and outreach on how resources are converted to products, the pollution that comes from these processes, and opportunities to reduce resource use and pollution.

    Green ChemisTREE
    Centers & Programs

    Center for Green Chemistry & Green Engineering at Yale

    Taking sustainability to the molecular level, the Center supports chemists and engineers whose scientific and technological breakthroughs are crucial to the future success of the human economy.

    Composite image of net zero energy technologies
    Centers & Programs

    Yale Center for Business and the Environment (CBEY)

    CBEY educates and inspires interdisciplinary leaders through business solutions to systemic environmental problems.

    Industrial Ecology and Green Chemistry in the News

    urban-tree-removal
    News

    How Circular Utilization of Urban Tree Waste Can Help Mitigate Climate Change

    A multi-scale lifecycle assessment conducted by Prof. Yuan Yao and researchers from the Center for Industrial Ecology explains how eco-friendly uses for urban tree waste could substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. cities.

    Illustration showing interconnected industrial systems
    News

    The Center for Industrial Ecology: Pathfinders in Life Cycles and Resource Reuse

    This is the first in a special series that takes an in-depth look at Yale School of the Environment’s Centers, Programs, and Initiatives. This month’s focus is on the Center for Industrial Ecology, which seeks not only to advance our understanding of the environmental impacts of production and consumption on an international scale, but also to be part of tangible solutions.

    An automotive assembly line
    News

    YSE Study Finds Electric Vehicles Provide Lower Carbon Emissions Through Additional Channels

    A recent YSE-led study published in Nature Communications found that the total indirect emissions from the supply of chain of electric vehicles pale in comparison to the same indirect emissions from fossil fuel-powered vehicles.

    Degree Programs

    YSE's learning communities span across all master's and doctoral degree programs.

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    Learning Communities

    YSE's Learning Communities were created to offer robust interdisciplinary experiences and networks. Students may engage with as many learning communities as they choose, regardless of their degree program or specialization.