Waste Not, Want Not: An Evening Exploring Zero Waste Design & Construction

Join GBA for Waste Not, Want Not: A Zero Waste Dinner. The evening takes place against the dramatic and industrial backdrop of WBU Event Venue, an intentionally designed space rooted in reuse, creativity, and community.

WBU exemplifies how existing buildings and materials can be reimagined with care, making it a fitting setting for highlighting themes of material reuse, embodied carbon, circularity, and stewardship. 

The evening will open with a welcome from Natasha Brittain, owner at WBU Event Venue, who will share brief remarks about the space, its revitalization, and its role in the neighborhood. The program will then feature a keynote address from Melissa Mongelli, Executive Director of Construction Junction, whose work centers on material reuse, circular systems, and the intersection of environmental sustainability and community impact. Melissa’s remarks will reflect Construction Junction’s mission-driven approach to keeping materials in use, reducing waste, and strengthening local economies and communities. 

Throughout the evening and over a thoughtfully curated menu, attendees will have ample opportunity for networking, conversation, and connecting with like-minded professionals committed to building a more resilient, resource-efficient future. 

Menu

This vibrant, plant-forward menu is celebration of comfort and freshness. Our seated dinner begins with a beet hummus crostini topped with falafel crumble and bright pickled cucumber, followed by a Tuscan white bean salad bursting with fresh tomato, romaine, toasted quinoa, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette. The entree includes a cozy, yet elevated polenta lasagna layered with wild mushroom ragu, served alongside roasted broccolini and sweet rainbow carrots. To finish, a rich cholate torte paired with fresh mixed berries offers the perfect indulgent note. 

Allergies or dietary restrictions? Don’t worry! The entire menu is vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free. 

In alignment with the evening’s theme, the event will have composting and recycling systems in place, and a goal of a achieving 90% or better waste diverted from landfills for the night. 

Participants Will

1. Examine the role of material and adaptive reuse in reducing waste and advancing circular building practices

2. Understand how salvaged materials and buildings can be repositioned as assets for healthy, resilient, and community-centered development

3. Explore strategies for implementing zero-waste principles across building design and construction, highlighting practical approaches to material selection, reuse, and waste reduction

4. Identify opportunities for regional leadership in sustainable materials and reuse, and consider how cross-sector partnerships can shape a regenerative future for Pittsburgh’s built environment.