A new online initiative encourages re-use of construction “waste”.
BuilderScrap is an exciting new initiative for the construction trade. Designed by builders for builders, the online business offers an alternative to landfill for the millions of tonnes of unused new supplies and good quality second hand materials which are thrown away each year. This is estimated to be over 11.5 million tonnes a year.
BuilderScrap.com is a free, easy to use website for the construction industry. It allows members to pass on any unused, surplus materials to others within the trade, therefore reducing the need for as many skips. BuilderScrap aims to lower the amount of waste which is unnecessarily sent to landfill every year.
The idea behind the website is extremely simple. Users can add their surplus, unused materials, as well as good quality second hand products to the website. Other users can then search for and purchase these materials. Often these items are given away free of charge. The reasoning behind this being that the client has already paid for them and they cost money to both store and throw away. The benefits of the website include:
• Cost savings – skip hire and the labour to load it
• Environmental benefits – less sent to landfill and less energy to create new product
• CSR – clients are placing increased pressure on their suppliers to be green and by using BuilderScrap you can demonstrate your green credentials
BuilderScrap has been designed by builder, for builders, and as such takes into consideration many of the issues prevalent in the industry which could affect the use of the website. The major concern is time, which is why there are two methods of upload available to users of the website.
Users can add their surplus materials to the website either online or by using their mobile phone to send an MMS message. The website is completely free to use. The only cost is the optional use of MMS, which costs 50p plus standard network charges.
The website can be used to pass on surplus, unused materials or good quality second hand products. Examples of items which have been put on BuilderScrap include bricks, timber, tiles, carpet, furniture, windows and kitchen units.
The website also includes a constantly updating source of a variety of relevant and useful information relating to the environment and the construction industry, such as environmental policies, Site Waste Management Plans and Legal requirements.
BuilderScrap, although still in its infancy, has been met with great interest and approval by those in and related to the industry. In November, BuilderScrap were very proud to receive the Green Apple Award, presented at The House of Commons for businesses excelling in an environmental capacity.
