Our Ground Work
We take an on-the-ground, system-wide approach to building a circular material systems based on the region’s given needs.
To fill in the gaps in the system, our activities range from waste collection to end-market development, with our current impact focused on Plastics, Methane and Livelihoods.
The problem: While organizations have addressed specific issues, no one has been evaluating the whole system
Despite years of action, waste challenges remain largely unresolved because the problem is systemic. Most interventions target isolated points – technologies, behaviors or disposal – without linking them across the full chain. This leads to fragmented progress, short-lived impact, and little scalability, with key gaps in areas such as policy & governance, capacity & knowledge and stakeholder alignment.
At Delterra, we believe that the only way to have sustainable impact is to take a total systems view, identify and address bottlenecks and challenges across the entire value chain, from generators (citizens and businesses) through collection & sorting, aggregation & recycling and processing & end markets.
WHERE WE COME IN
We work on the ground in the areas we serve to identify and address bottlenecks and challenges across the full waste stream.
We have analyzed, designed and successfully implemented scalable waste management models in Indonesia, Argentina, Brazil and are now starting in the United States. With a team of 40+ professionals (most of whom support work in their home countries) devoted to building strong waste management systems, Delterra delivers a holistic approach across the full waste value chain.
On the supply side...
Our program works with communities (households and businesses) and municipalities (collectors and sorters) to develop self-sustaining recycling systems that maximize the quality and quantity of the recyclable waste supply.
We then take our learnings, evaluating what is universally true and what must be adapted based on context to scale our model to other regions across the globe.
On the demand side...
We work with industry (aggregators, transporters, recyclers, processors, end buyers) to develop and deploy logistical, financial, technical, digital innovations to ensure regional markets can reliably absorb high quality recycled material at a viable price point.
Our Impact
Plastics
We address the vicious cycle of both unreliable demand and poor supply that prevent material from flowing smoothly through the system.
Methane
As we work across the full waste stream, we divert food and garden waste – a major source of methane emissions – from landfills.
Livelihoods
As part of our mission to advance circular material systems across the globe, our work is also focused on improving livelihoods through inclusive waste management solutions.
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Delterra is a 501(c)(3) public charity.