Scrap materials website offers an alternative to landfill

BuilderScrap is a new initiative for housebuilders and others in the construction industry. 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.It is completely free and allows users to upload materials to the site, either from a computer or from site via MMS from a mobile phone. These items are then available to other users at a cost or free. Users also have access to a wealth of information regarding environmental and industrial issues.

The initiative seeks to introduce a culture of efficient waste management on site, by promoting segregation of different wastes at source, and encouraging re-use and recycling of product rather than disposal.

A purpose-built web based business it allows housebuilders to communicate with nearby construction companies, to use up each others’ surplus, and thus reduce the amount of goods sent to landfill.

The general overview of the business is that users register (for free) and can then upload any surplus goods or materials they have which will appear on the site. Any users searching for products can then contact the seller and complete the transaction. Some goods will be sold at a cost; others will be given away for nothing simply as a way of preventing them from going to landfill (which has a cost due to landfill tax, skip hire, labour cost and so on).

It works simply but efficiently, offering three options of item upload to users. The first option, one we believe will be popular with builders on site, uses a mobile phone camera to upload MMS messages to the website. It is also possible to upload items by email, and directly through the website. Both of these options are free of charge to users. Users can then search for desired items online, and register for email and text alerts for regular search items. The website will also provide information to users regarding environmental and waste management within the construction industry.

BuilderScrap.com is currently undergoing in-house trials, to be followed shortly by local trials in parallel with the formation of the first social enterprise reclamation site in Moreton

View PDF

More information: www.builderscrap.com