University Facilities and Services is happy to introduce Phil Piedmont (he/him), as the new Waste Minimization Specialist and the most recent addition to the Sustainability Office team. This new position focuses on reducing the amount of waste the University sends to the landfill, maximizing waste diversion, and leading well-known recycling events and programs. He is excited for this new opportunity and to collaborate with his colleagues in the Sustainability Office and across the university to advance sustainability efforts.
Joining the Sustainability Office during a busy time of year, Phil had a strong start in his new position. During his first week, Phil led the GameDay Football Zero Waste Touchdown Challenge that resulted in a waste diversion rate of 80% during the Meliora Weekend football game. Phil also led the University Facilities and Services annual E-Cycle Day this year, totaling 13,919 pounds of electronic waste collected. In his new role as Waste Minimization Specialist, Phil looks forward to finding impactful ways to improve recycling streams, implementing new special collection programs, and creating connections among the University’s sustainability leaders.
Phil joins the University after five years at the Medical Center as a contractor with Waste Strategies where he oversaw regulated medical waste, municipal solid waste, and recycling streams. Phil’s background in manufacturing, demolition, decontamination and a degree in environmental management from RIT inspired a sustainability focus. Growing up in western New York on an apple and cherry farm, Phil has had a longtime interest in the environment. Outside of work, he is interested in boating, cars, and coin collecting. He hopes as the new Waste Minimization Specialist he can create a lasting impact in the University’s sustainability mission.
Phil can be reach via email at ppiedmon@facilities.rochester.edu or by phone at 585-690-9119. For more information about sustainability at the University of Rochester, visit https://www.rochester.edu/sustainability/.
Written by Carmen Marshall ‘25
Photo by Lauren Caruso / University of Rochester