2021 City of Chicago Waste Strategy

Steel City Salvage: Deconstruction and Economic Opportunity in Gary

Delta Institute has worked within Gary for years—decades even—with dozens of local community partners who are essential to our collaborative efforts’ success. Many of our supporters are familiar with Delta’s efforts to create Steel City Salvage , our deconstruction project that saves reclaimed materials from vacant buildings going to landfill—instead selling them to spur economic development within the City of Gary. Specifically, Delta has worked to establish a sustainable marketplace for these salvaged items--which includes everything from old growth lumber to wall sconces to church pews. We are committed to ensuring that materials from Gary benefit Gary, and that operations remain within the City to provide another route for ongoing economic development.

Storywood: Utilizing Reclaimed and Unique Wood in Design and Architecture

Delta Institute released our Toolkit for Using StoryWood on December 12th ahead of the holiday season. We encourage you to use its release as a reminder to appreciate all material gifts – big and small – as every material has a story, and wood is no different.

Demystifying Midwestern Building Material Markets for Reuse and Revenue

Collaborating with Midwest communities to aid in their waste reduction efforts is one of Delta's core initiatives. That is why we are pleased to have released our Demystifying Waste report with support from the EPA and the Building Material Reuse Association.

St. Louis Demolition and Deconstruction Technical Assistance

Delta Institute is an expert with construction and demolition waste reduction, recycling, reuse, policy and economic development. The City of St. Louis, St. Louis Development Corporation, the Missouri Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority, and Region 7 EPA selected Delta Institute to revise its demolition handbook, develop specifications for deconstruction, train contractors around building material reuse, and plan a deconstruction pilot program.