EPA, U.S. Sen. Durbin, U.S. Rep. Schakowsky and Mayor Biss Highlight Nearly $4 Million Grant to Rebuilding Exchange in Evanston
Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency held a press conference with Sen. Dick Durbin, Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Mayor Daniel Biss to celebrate a nearly $4 million grant to Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse, a Chicago-area nonprofit organization, to support efforts to reduce climate pollution from the manufacturing of construction materials.
The Rebuilding Exchange works to reuse building materials, reduce construction waste and train people seeking careers in trade. The Rebuilding Exchange will use data collected at its two reuse stores and through its deconstruction services to demonstrate reduced greenhouse gas emissions from salvaged construction materials. With this data, environmental product declarations will be developed to show the environmental impacts across the life of a product. The company’s project will enhance the quality of greenhouse gas data associated with salvaged materials, provide tools for other practitioners and train 150 participants through a workforce training program.
"We already know that salvaged materials are cleaner materials. The work that Rebuilding Exchange does of salvaging construction materials for reuse is a critical strategy for lowering greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a more circular economy," said EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention Jennie Romer. "Together, we’re creating a clean energy economy that benefits all Americans—with lower costs for families, good-paying jobs for workers, and healthier air and cleaner water for communities."
“Advancing clean construction materials in Illinois creates sustainable jobs, bolsters domestic supply chains and natural resource preservation, and cuts harmful pollution that contributes to the climate crisis,” said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. “I’m proud to have fought to pass the Inflation Reduction Act and fund low-carbon construction materials and workforce training programs at the Rebuilding Exchange in Evanston and Chicago.”
“From creating good-paying, local jobs to increasing sustainability and reducing construction waste—investing in clean manufacturing, like the work being done at Rebuilding Exchange, has a positive ripple effect for hardworking Illinois families and our nation,” said U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth. “I look forward to continuing to help support careers in the building trades while supporting a cleaner future for Illinois.”
“Thanks to a $3.9 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, Rebuilding Exchange can play a meaningful role in helping us combat the ever-increasing danger of global climate change. Reusable construction materials will help lower our carbon emissions and workforce training programs will help guide our community towards a green future. I would also like to give a special thanks to my dear friend, EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore, for making this grant possible,” said Rep. Jan Schakowsky. “The devastating impacts of climate change continue to create more severe and unpredictable weather events. Just weeks ago, we experienced the hottest day ever recorded on Earth. Our children and grandchildren should not be forced to suffer the consequences of our lack of action. Together we can save our planet.”
“The Rebuilding Exchange is an extraordinary partner to the city of Evanston in sustainability and workforce development,” said Mayor Daniel Biss. “I’m appreciative of the Biden-Harris Administration’s investment in this exciting project and I can’t wait to see the outcomes.”
“This project will spark a greater demand for salvaged building materials, encouraging more individuals, governments, and institutional buyers to make environmentally friendly purchasing decisions,” said Rebuilding Exchange Executive Director Aina Gutierrez. “More salvaged building materials being purchased means more materials being saved from landfills and put back into reuse. More clean construction materials being reused translates to reduced greenhouse gas emissions. More reusable materials being purchased and used locally results in job creation and more employers hiring.”
EPA estimates that the production of construction materials used in buildings and other built infrastructure account for more than 15% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions. To support efforts to report and reduce climate pollution from the manufacturing of construction materials and products, EPA selected 38 grant recipients across the country, totaling nearly $160 million. These grants will support the Biden-Harris Administration’s Federal Buy Clean Initiative, which leverages the U.S. government’s sway as the largest purchaser on Earth to catalyze demand for clean construction materials used in federal buildings, highways, and infrastructure projects. The grants will be awarded to businesses, universities and nonprofit organizations serving all 50 states and will help disclose the environmental impacts associated with manufacturing concrete, asphalt, glass, steel, wood and other materials.
Learn more about EPA’s Grant Program for Reducing Embodied Greenhouse Gases in Construction Materials and Products.