CES is a research and service unit at Portland State University that helps public agencies, businesses, and community partners reduce waste through hands-on research, technical assistance, and student-powered sustainability work.
We design and implement comprehensive research to give you a clear picture of your organization’s waste stream and the impact it has on the environment and your organization’s costs. (Yes, by “hands on” we mean that our research often involves sorting through trash—but we don’t mind.)
We identify opportunities for improving waste management and make data-based recommendations for improvements.
We put knowledge to work to serve the community by finding sustainable solutions to real-world problems.
We research waste management challenges that real organizations face. We test solutions, and contribute best practices to the waste management field.
We help prepare leaders and launch careers in sustainability. Our projects help to educate and employ students through supervised work that includes research, project management, and outreach. Our partners are proud to give students hands-on experience in sustainability, while benefiting from their creative ideas to solve problems.