The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in conjunction with Senator Dick Durbin, Representative Jan Schakowsky, and Mayor Daniel Biss, held a press conference today to announce a nearly $4 million grant to the Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse. This Chicago-area nonprofit will use the funds to support efforts aimed at reducing climate pollution from the manufacturing of construction materials.
The Rebuilding Exchange focuses on reusing building materials, reducing construction waste, and providing training for individuals seeking careers in trades. The organization plans to utilize data collected from its two reuse stores and deconstruction services to demonstrate reduced greenhouse gas emissions from salvaged construction materials. This data will be used to develop environmental product declarations that outline the environmental impacts throughout a product's lifecycle. The project aims to improve the quality of greenhouse gas data related to salvaged materials, provide tools for other practitioners, and train 150 participants through a workforce training program.
"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 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 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," said Rep. Jan Schakowsky. "Reusable construction materials will help lower our carbon emissions and workforce training programs will help guide our community towards a green future." She also expressed gratitude towards EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore for facilitating this grant.
"The Rebuilding Exchange is an extraordinary partner to the city of Evanston in sustainability and workforce development," stated 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 greater demand for salvaged building materials, encouraging more individuals, governments, and institutional buyers to make environmentally friendly purchasing decisions," said Aina Gutierrez, Executive Director of Rebuilding Exchange.
EPA estimates that production of construction materials used in buildings accounts for over 15% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions. To address this issue, EPA selected 38 grant recipients across the country totaling nearly $160 million as part of its Federal Buy Clean Initiative under the Biden-Harris Administration.
