A nationwide network of construction material reuse hubs could help cut waste, lower carbon emissions and support regional economies, according to specialist consultancy Reconomy.
The company is calling on the government to back the creation of hubs where surplus building materials can be collected, stored and redistributed rather than sent for recycling or disposal.
Construction currently accounts for 62% of all waste generated in the UK as Reconomy say a cultural shift towards reusing materials is gathering pace across the sector.
The company has established a dedicated Circular Solutions department and works with reuse organisations including The Rebuild Site, which operates a hub in Carlisle.
Since launching in 2021, The Rebuild Site has supported 219 community projects, with more than 20,000 people benefiting from materials donated to community groups and charities.
In 2025 alone, more than 30,000 surplus items were sold through the hub, helping to keep materials in use and divert them from downcycling and landfill.
The facility also provides work experience and volunteering opportunities and hosts workshops and public events.
The company said a national network would make it easier for contractors to find new uses for surplus materials while reducing demand for new resources and the environmental impacts associated with waste disposal.
It is urging policymakers to support the development of infrastructure that can help make material reuse a standard part of construction projects across the country.
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