The mission of SDI is to make a worthwhile and significant contribution to sustainable development through research, education, consultancy, and service.  The Institute serves as a valuable resource and provides assistance in energy management, pollution prevention opportunity assessments and beneficiary reuse for the community. The core function of the Institute is to build a dynamic repository of leading edge material, interdisciplinary and practical activity involving academics, students and researchers across different faculty and external specialists.  SDI also demonstrates and provides a focus for regional and state- wide efforts in sustainable development, pollution prevention and recycling through operation of a Hampton Roads Extra Materials Exchange (HRxME) web site.