Reconomy calls on government to support UK network of construction material reuse hubs as industry appetite grow

Reconomy, the international circular economy specialist, is calling for the government to back the establishment of a nationwide network of construction material recovery and reuse hubs to divert waste away from landfill, lower carbon emissions and support regional economies.

It comes as Reconomy sees a cultural shift gathering momentum across the UK construction sector, with contractors increasingly looking for opportunities to reuse surplus building materials rather than send them for recycling, downcycling or disposal. Construction accounts for 62% of all waste generated in the UK.¹

However, the system around construction doesn’t make reuse straightforward. To support its construction customers, Reconomy established a dedicated Circular Solutions department and has developed long-standing partnerships with reuse hubs, including The Rebuild Site, to find new homes for surplus materials.

Founded in 2021, The Rebuild Site operates a reuse hub in Carlisle, providing local contractors, suppliers, organisations and individuals with a practical way to keep surplus materials in use. The hub diverts (re)usable materials giving DIYers, SMEs and community projects across Cumbria and South West Scotland access to affordable, high-quality materials, while preventing valuable resources from going to waste.

Since its inception, the hub has delivered significant social, economic and environmental value. Its key achievements include supporting 219 community projects, while more than 20,000 people have benefited from materials donated to community groups and charities. In 2025, over 30,000 items of surplus materials were sold and diverted from downcycling and landfill. It also provides work experience and volunteering placements and hosts workshops and events for the public. Reconomy believes these benefits demonstrate the potential for the model to be replicated in other parts of the UK.