July 02, 2024

Athena Institute co-founder and LCA advocate Wayne Trusty passes away

The Athena Institute is sad to announce that Wayne Trusty passed away on June 21, 2024 at the age of 82.

Wayne had an interesting career that eventually led him to an advisory role on “the Athena project” in the early 1990s. This research effort looking into the environmental footprint of building materials became the Athena Sustainable Materials Institute, a non-profit co-founded and headed by Wayne.

From the 1997 launch of the Athena Institute to his retirement as President in 2011, Wayne was a tireless advocate for life cycle assessment (LCA) as a tool to quantify environmental impact of materials and construction. He can be credited for putting LCA on the map in the world of sustainable design.

The incorporation of LCA and embodied carbon across green building programs, codes, and policy can be traced back to his educational and advocacy efforts. This included a real dedication to ensuring international and national standards were up to par.

Wayne’s vision, leadership, support, and commitment left an everlasting impact. He was a shining light in the world of sustainability. Truly one of a kind, he inspired so many people and made the world a better place through his tireless work. And he always had a good story to tell. He will be missed.

Condolence messages can be left here: https://www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/wayne-trusty There is a celebration of life on Sunday July 14, 2024 in Merrickville ON. Details are at the link above.