UGA New Materials Institute

The UGA New Materials Institute is focused on creating healthier materials for a healthier planet. Globally, we currently generate some 2.5 billion metric tons of waste per year for a population thats expected to increase by roughly 33%, to 9.2 billion people, by 2050 (as projected by the United Nations). Much of this waste is plastic, which persists in our landfills, as well as in our oceans, and endangers human, animal and ecological health. At the New Materials Institute, we think its time for a paradigm shift in waste management; that a materials useful end-of-life should be considered at the design stage and that Green Engineering principles should be part of this process. The NMI welcomes partnerships. We work with a wide range of partners to pioneer systems and materials that promote circularity, for proactive materials management. Whether it be circular materials management systems at the municipal to global scale or innovative and truly biodegradable materials that meet t...