Sheet 08 - Sustainability & Re-Use

Less waste. Less carbon. Better engineering.

Our expertise in structural engineering and material science allows us to provide specialised advice on the re-use and adaptability of existing buildings and their components - helping our clients save on costs and reduce environmental impact.

Practice
SWAL Eng.
Scale
N.T.S.
Status
Issued

60%

Of the UK's total waste comes from construction, demolition and excavation - the industry's largest waste stream.

EXISTING[01] Survey & auditDECONSTRUCT[02] Careful removalCATALOGUE[03] Materials DBRE-USE[04] Steel · brick · spoilRE-CERTIFY[05] Test & gradeRE-BUILD[06] New structureUK CONSTRUCTION60%of total waste streamtarget: divert via re-useVIRGIN MATERIALminimised inputLANDFILLdiverted outputPRACTICEDRAWINGSCALEDRG NO.REVSWAL ENGINEERING LTDMATERIAL RE-USE CYCLEN.T.S.520 / E / 001-Chartered Structural EngineersFor illustration onlymmStatus: PreliminaryMay 26
Fig. S.00 - Closed-loop material re-use cycleDwg 520/E/001

S.01

Construction waste

The construction industry is the UK's largest producer of waste. By prioritising re-use of existing structures and building materials, we help you turn this challenge into an opportunity - significantly reducing demolition waste and minimising new material consumption, directly lowering project costs while contributing to a more sustainable future.

S.02

Material re-use

We have successfully advised clients on the re-use of what was perceived to be construction waste - making cost savings and reducing the amount of new materials brought on to site. We offer tailored advice for:

  • - Re-use of structural steel
  • - Re-use of demolition waste for non or low-strength structural applications
  • - Reclamation of demolition waste
  • - Re-use of crushed materials for low-strength aggregates
  • - Regrading of site levels from excavation spoil

S.03

Materials database

"End of service life" is a crucial yet often overlooked consideration in construction. We've developed a service that captures and manages information about a building's materials from the very beginning - a robust materials database providing a clear, organised record of all structural elements.

This enables informed decisions about:

  • Material re-use - easily identify and re-purpose materials such as structural steel for future projects.
  • Repurposing existing buildings - a detailed material inventory simplifies planning for reconfiguration or changes in use.
  • On-site material management - effectively manage and re-use materials during demolition or internal rearrangements.