Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS), a waste reduction programme managed by the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) on behalf of the Scottish Government, has launched a new Construction Material Exchange tool to help the construction industry exchange and reuse materials, and reduce waste.
Developed with the help of partners including the DIY reuse centre Yooz, Graham’s Construction, and Perth and Kinross Council, the tool forms part of ZWS’s recently launched advice and support service, Resource Efficient Scotland.
Details of the new tool
Building on the original tool which launched in November 2012, the updated version enables users to post materials online for exchange and reuse, in the hopes of extending material life, diverting waste from landfill, and reducing the costs of disposal and material purchasing.
Updates to the tool include a new mobile-enabled version for ‘easy access when out and about’, easier uploading capability, and an option that allows materials to be offered for a company’s internal use (rather than to all users).
It is hoped the tool will help tackle the 7.4 million tonnes of waste produced by the Scottish construction industry each year.
Iain Gulland, Director of Zero Waste Scotland said of the tool: “The construction industry has already made significant progress in reducing the amount of waste being produced, however there’s still more to be done and this tool can help to target the materials left over at the end of the construction process.
“Not only does this make environmental sense, it can also save companies money, minimising landfill charges and reducing waste management costs.
“I hope that construction companies across Scotland will make use of this invaluable new tool, helping us to reduce waste in the industry and move towards becoming a zero waste society.”
Commenting on the expectation around waste and corporate social responsibility, Ian E Strachan, Chief Executive of Yooz, suggests that the tool provides “an opportunity to turn reusable waste back into a resource – a positive story delivering cost reduction and environmental benefits”.
Comparing the tool to other reuse websites Freecycle and Freegle, Yvonne Bell, from Waste Services at Perth and Kinross Council, said: “It really supports the ethos of a Resource Efficient Scotland and the work already being done in the sector to reduce the amount of waste which goes to landfill.”
Find out more about the Construction Material Exchange tool.
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