Building the workforce—and the systems—of the future.
Students are preparing for careers in sustainability, environmental science, resource management and related fields. At the same time, recycling organizations, communities, government agencies and businesses need people prepared to turn sustainability goals into real-world systems.
The NRC Campus Council exists to strengthen that connection. The Virtual Summit creates a national meeting place where students, educators, campus professionals and the sustainable materials management industry can learn from one another and build relationships that continue beyond the event.
Different audiences. Shared future.
See Where Sustainability Can Take You
Discover how classroom learning connects to real careers and real materials-management challenges.
✓ Explore career paths and workforce opportunities
✓ Build professional relationships beyond your campus
✓ Learn what employers and organizations need
✓ Understand how sustainability works in practice
Turn Sustainability Goals into Action
Connect curriculum, research and campus operations with practical strategies and outside expertise.
✓ Connect with recycling and SMM practitioners
✓ Explore research and applied-learning partnerships
✓ Strengthen student career pathways
✓ Move from intention to implementation
Meet the Next Generation
Connect your organization with campuses, educators and emerging sustainability professionals.
✓ Build relationships with academic programs
✓ Identify research and project partners
✓ Share workforce needs with educators
✓ Expand your future talent pipeline
Focused on the connection others often miss.
Higher-education sustainability programming can be broad. The NRC Campus Council Virtual Summit occupies a more focused space: the intersection of higher education, recycling, circularity, sustainable materials management and professional workforce development.
Closing the gap between what campuses value and what campuses can implement.
Colleges and universities often have ambitious sustainability goals, engaged students and significant expertise. Implementation can still be constrained by budgets, infrastructure, procurement, markets, institutional structure and access to specialized knowledge.
Research → real-world applications
Student interest → career pathways
Campus goals → operational solutions
Industry needs → emerging talent
A day built around ideas, implementation and connection.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 • 11:00 AM–4:30 PM Eastern. Day One agenda below is tentative and subject to change. The Summit is designed as a fast-moving virtual experience combining expert presentations, panel discussions, practical sessions, networking and career connections.
National programming without the national-conference price.
Keeping participation affordable is an important part of the Campus Council mission. Virtual delivery eliminates travel and lodging costs, while student pricing helps ensure emerging professionals can take part in the national conversation.
Students, universities, SROs and businesses can purchase the five-ticket student package directly on the registration page.
Help five students join the conversation.
A $100 investment provides five student tickets to the Campus Council Virtual Summit. Students, universities, SROs and businesses can purchase the package to support their local student population. Select the “5-ticket student package” on the registration page.
Get 5 Student Tickets for $100 →What should this national conversation include?
NRC is gathering input from higher education and the sustainable materials management community to identify campus challenges, successful programs, workforce opportunities, potential speakers and priority Summit topics.
Take the Higher Education Circularity Survey →Connecting education with the profession.
The National Recycling Coalition Campus Council works to build stronger linkages among higher education, students and the sustainable materials management profession. Its work includes campus operations, academics, research, professional development, technology transfer and workforce connections.
Learn More About the Campus Council →Together, we're building the bridge to the future of sustainable materials management.
Registration is open. Additional speaker, session and networking details will be announced as Summit planning continues.
