Waste-to-Value Economy (WAVE): A Location-Based Framework for Regional Circular Innovation

Funding Years: 2026-2028

The Waste-to-Value Economy (WAVE) team aims to translate research into practical solutions that transform waste into useful products and new economic opportunities. The project focuses on reducing environmental and economic liabilities while strengthening regional circular economy capacity and supporting more resilient communities. By integrating discovery research, stakeholder engagement, feasibility analysis, and pilot implementation, WAVE supports more resilient communities and advances actionable pathways for circular systems at the regional scale.

Principal Investigators:

  • Sonali Diddi, Associate Professor, Design and Merchandising
  • Susan DeLong, Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Meagan Schipanski, Professor, Soil and Crop Sciences
  • Mohammed Mehany, Associate Professor, Construction Management
  • Yan Li, Associate Professor, Design and Merchandising