Materials consumption contributes directly to climate change. It requires energy to mine, extract, harvest, process, and transport raw materials, and more energy to manufacture, transport and, after use, dispose of products. This is a throw-away society. Waste prevention and recycling are important components in the University’s effort toward carbon neutrality, and that includes behavior change.

The New York Times pubished an opinion about overconsumption in 2008, called "What's Your Cosumption Factor?"

The Climate Action Plan includes a commitment to adopt a Zero Waste Policy campus. Campus is working toward Zero Waste with the report done by Marcus Ricci in 2013, waste characterization audits through the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center in 2014, and hiring a Zero Waste Coordinator under the Waste Management Coordinator, Tracy Osby.  However, ultimately the only way to really achieve Zero Waste is by getting behavior change in individuals.