Northeast Sustainable Materials Career Program

Connecting Students to Careers in Sustainable Materials Management 

The Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) Sustainable Materials Career Program (SMCP) introduces college students to career pathways in sustainable materials management (SMM) and recycling, a rapidly growing field that plays a key role in climate action and the circular economy. Through career exploration events and professional development opportunities, students gain industry exposure, build foundational knowledge, and develop a clearer path from the classroom to a career.

Program Goals

Increase student interest in SMM and recycling careers 

Build foundational knowledge of waste diversion, market dynamics, and policy 

Strengthen workforce readiness across the Northeast 

Academic Partners

Program Components

Supported by Recycled Materials Association (ReMA)

Career Exploration Event

(Recycling Jobs Day) 

  • Facility tour 
  • Lunch and peer discussion 
  • Industry career panel with Q&A 

Foundations of Sustainable Materials and Recycling (Online Course) 

  • Professional development covering market dynamics, policy, and the evolution of recycling in the U.S. 

Supplemental Resources and Networking Connection

  • Recycling Jobs Day materials provided by ReMA 
  • Connected to Career Ambassadors

Why It Matters

Producing, transporting, and disposing of materials accounts for more than 40% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. As organizations expand climate commitments, demand for green jobs is growing globally at approximately 8% per year. Yet employers report a shortage of qualified talent with the necessary green and cross-sector skill sets. The NERC Career Awareness Program helps close this gap by exposing two- and four-year college students to the diverse, high-impact careers available across the SMM industry. 

Partner and Student Engagement

Program Partners

Help build the next generation of circular economy professionals. Support student preparation for careers in sustainable materials management by joining NERC as a Program Partner.

Become a Program Partner

Academic Partners

Academic Partners join at no cost, enabling access to free training and career exploration programming, networking, and resources for your students. Note: We are at capacity for the 2026/ 2027 Academic Calendar.

Express Interest

Undergraduate Students

Interested in Learning About Circular Economy Careers? Undergraduate students attending an Academic Partner school have the opportunity to participate in this program.

Join the Program

Thank You to Our Program Partner

Student Participation Information

How to Join the Northeast Sustainable Materials Career Program

  • How to Qualify

    In order to participate in this program you must be a registered undergraduate student at one of the Academic Partner Schools. 


    2026/ 2027 Academic Partners Include:

    • Massachusetts Institue of Technology 
    • Rowan University
    • University of Massachsuetts Lowell
    • University of New Hampshire
    • University of Southern Maine
    • Yale University
    Academic Partners

  • Interest Form

    Undergraduate students enrolled at a participating Academic Partner institution who are interested in the program must complete their school’s Interest Form by the designated deadline. Interest form deadlines vary by school.


    Only students who complete the Interest Form will receive a link to the official program sign-up form.


    Interest Forms for the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Yale University will be available soon.

  • Sign Up Form

    To receive the official program sign-up form, students must first complete their school’s Interest Form by the designated deadline.


    The official sign-up form will be distributed by NERC Senior Manager of Learning & Development, Sophie Leone. Once the form is distributed, students may register on a first-come, first-served basis.


    By submitting the sign-up form, students are expressing interest in the Program and its components, which include: 

    1. In-Person Career Exploration Event, which includes a facility tour, career panel, lunch, and peer-networking (Limited capacity).
    2. Foundations of Sustainable Materials and Recycling Virtual Course (Limited capacity). Students must have attended the Career Exploration Event to be eligible to attend the course.

    Students who participate in the Program will receive a Certificate.

  • Career Exploration Event

    As part of NERC's Northeast Sustainable Materials Career Program, NERC organizes a single day Career Exploration Event at no cost for students. (Limited Capacity)


    This full-day in-person event includes:

    1. Local Facility Tour: Students will have the opportunity to participate in a guided tour of a local facility, such as a MRF, recycling facility, composting operation, or other sustainability-focused site.
    2. Lunch and Peer Discussion: Following the facility tour, students will have the opportunity to connect and engage in discussion with their peers either on campus or at the tour location.
    3. Industry career panel with Q&A: Students will convene either in person (following the tour) or virtually for a career panel featuring sustainable materials management (SMM) industry professionals, with opportunities for questions and discussion.

  • Foundations of Sustainable Materials and Recycling Course

    The Foundations of Sustainable Materials & Recycling Course provides a strong foundation in the history, market dynamics, and circular-economy principles that shape today’s recycling and sustainable materials management landscape.


    The Foundations course will be offered at no cost to a limited number of undergraduate students who participate in their school’s Career Exploration Event.


    For schools holding their Career Exploration Event in Fall 2026, students will be offered the following course schedule:

    • Schedule: January 22nd - February 5th, 2027 
    • Time: Fridays | 1:00 - 4:30 PM ET
    • Location: Virtual Zoom Classroom

    Registration will be provided separately.

    Explore Course

  • Program Certificate

    Undergraduate students who participate in the Program will recieve a Program Certificate.

  • Cost and Expectation

    This program is offered at no cost to participating Academic Partners and their undergraduate students.

Program Partner Information

The Need

Producing, transporting, and disposing of materials represents over 40% of US GHG emissions. As more organizations take climate action, there is a growing demand for green jobs, which are growing globally at a rate of 8 percent per year. LinkedIn’s Global Green Skills Report shows a deficiency in the supply of qualified talent with the green skills needed to fill these roles. Some of the reasons for this talent gap are inadequate training and a lack of mixed-skill sets. The NERC Career Awareness Program addresses these barriers by increasing awareness among two- and four- year college students of the wide spectrum of careers in sustainable materials management (SMM).   

 

Your support enables students to explore career pathways and participate in training at no cost. Additionally, your support develops a robust network of colleges and universities, companies, and government agencies to create onramps for students to impactful careers. 

Partner Benefits

There are four levels of partnership. Benefits vary depending on the level you join but may include: 

  • Recognition in NERC’s Monthly Newsletter and Logo on NERC’s Partner Page (with link to website) 
  • Recognition at NERC’s Annual Rethink Resource Use Conference 
  • Volunteer opportunities as Career Ambassadors for students
  • Placement of logo on Program page on nerc.org 
  • Recognition on all NERC program communications and materials 


View All Partnership Levels and Benefits

Join as a Program Partner

Fill out the form below, and we'll be in touch to discuss Partnership.

Contact Us