Understanding and managing waste and resource efficiency in supply chains
Over 50 of our Partners and their suppliers collaborate through the School to share best practice of waste-related activities, discuss problem areas and take action to move towards a circular economy.
Find out more about waste and resource efficiency on our topic page.
The current linear economy of ‘Take-Make’Waste’ – taking resources from the ground to make products which we use and then dispose of – is no longer working for the built environment.
We must move to a circular economy which is based on the principles of designing out waste and pollution and keeping products and materials in use.
Through its Partners and member companies across the sector, the School has an extensive presence and reach to make a significant difference.
The School’s Waste and Resource Efficiency Group is the forum to enable this change; proactive businesses have come together to make consistent decisions and take action against waste in their own organisations and supply chains.
The group aims to drive a reduction in waste and to improve resource management within the industry value chain; through products, works and services procured.
How will this be achieved?
The group is working to achieve reduced waste and improved resource efficiency by increasing understanding on issue areas and where priorities lie. It’s workplan focuses on three priority areas:
- mapping and materials
- procurement and supply chain engagement
- measurement and reporting
There is representation from all of the School’s markets within the group: infrastructure, homes, construction and facilities management.
Specific learning materials are available in the School to educate and upskill supply chains, which enables a common understanding across client, designer, main contractor, and supplier communities.
Material Exchange Platforms (MEPs) are schemes whereby excess materials and products can be exchanged from one user to another, reducing the volume of waste to landfill.
Use the map to find out the locations of MEPs in the UK and to find out more information on exchanging material. You may have surplus stock from a recently finished project, or are looking for second hand upcycled furniture; these are some examples of how you might use MEPs.
If you are aware of any MEPs that are should be added or deleted from the map, or information that should be revised, please complete this form.
Social Value - Training and Skills, Waste and Resource Efficiency
HMP Foston Hall streetlamp project
Document / Presentation
Learn how a project to decommission 14,000 streetlamps delivered £34,262 of social value
15 minutesWaste and Resource Efficiency
Reduce the Rubble Initiative
Document / Presentation
Case Study from Redrow
15 minutesWaste and Resource Efficiency
Paint Can Recycling
Document / Presentation
Case Study from Redrow
5 minutesWaste and Resource Efficiency
Reuse of Waste Materials Case Study
Document / Presentation
Example from Redrow
5 minutesWaste and Resource Efficiency
Helping to Reduce Community Plastic Waste
Document / Presentation
Case study from Reconomy and Barratt Homes
5 minutesWaste and Resource Efficiency
Improving Waste Management through Partnership
Document / Presentation
Case study from Reconomy
10 minutesWaste and Resource Efficiency
Tackling 600 Tonnes of Fly-Tipping Waste
Document / Presentation
Case study from Reconomy
10 minutesWaste and Resource Efficiency
Paint Can Recycling and Pallet Repatriation Schemes
Document / Presentation
Case Study from Taylor Wimpey
5 minutes
Group meeting notes
2020
12 August 2020 | 13 May 2020 | 18 February 2020
2019
12 December 2019 | 25 September 2019 | 10 June 2019 | 6 March 2019
Our Partners
The Waste and Resource Efficiency Group is a collaboration between clients, contractors and suppliers who have a mutual interest in driving a reduction in waste and improving material and resource efficiency in the built environment value chain through the products, works and services procured.
