One way to do this is to reuse, reclaim or recycle materials, the major source of which is from demolitions.

In the past, building regulations were confusing. But providing the materials are suitable for their intended purpose, there is no reason why you can't reclaim or recycle them in line with building regulations.

RICS is leading the way with supporting sustainable construction by giving guidance to promote the policy of reuse, reclamation and recycling of waste materials.

Did you know?

By reducing, reusing, recycling, and reclaiming at least 5% of building waste you can save £1 000-£12 000.

Build a better quality of life...
Sustainable building is not a new idea. A demolition contractor carefully demolished house that originally stood in Bradford, in 1919 and transported it by rail to Ruskington near Sleaford in Lincolnshire and rebuilt it. Reused materials included the stone walls, roof, floors, staircase, lintels, doors and fireplaces.

New Houses

Before starting work you need to:

Environment

Use good standards of thermal insulation
Use solar heating
Use local materials
Keep the plan shape as regular as possible
Use the right products - not purpose made.

Waste

Deliver materials at the last minute - less damage caused by storage and less double handling
Store topsoil and subsoil for reuse - don't pay to take away and import new
Consult early with a building control surveyor, which may mean less excavation and concrete in foundations and floors
Design with dimensional co-ordination in mind
Shred plasterboard off-cuts and mix with soil
Shred timber waste for mulching around trees and bushes
Sort waste and off-cuts for reuse and recycling
Order materials carefully to reduce excess.

Water

Store roof water
Recycle grey water.

Conversions and Renovations

Before starting work you need to:

Use reclaimed timber beams and joists
Use lime mortar 1.1.9-1.1.12 where possible especially for stonework
Clean bricks for reuse where possible
Do not excavate existing solid floors and replace with hardcore unless there is contamination or defective construction
Reuse existing slates and tiles
Use reclaimed contemporary sanitary fittings and wash basins where possible. These are very fashionable. Consider using dual flush appliances
Use reclaimed architectural ironmongery
Use contemporary doors - panelled etc including door furniture.

Existing Properties

Before starting work you need to:

Use low emissive glazing in windows
Increase thermal insulation where possible
Provide ventilation to roof space
Show/specify reclaimed materials
Use materials from reclaimed/recycled suppliers
Use products with a recycled content
Prepare a method statement of alterations to show which materials can be reused
Protect existing building to prevent damage
Use crushed concrete as hardcore
Provide adequate DPCs.

...and save money

Generally speaking, sustainability is a worthwhile aim, and in house building, good economic sense. For example, a skip full of waste is a skip full of money. To add insult to injury, you will have to pay to remove it from site and pay landfill tax.

But you must take care with your choice of materials, which can be seen as merely second hand.

Using local materials will reduce transport costs and be more in keeping with the existing building. It is also good practice in conservation areas and you are more likely to get planning permission.

Using reclaimed materials from local sources will make sure new work matches existing as far as possible, particularly roof and external walls.

Further Information

For more on reducing, reusing, reclaiming and recycling read:

BRE Digest 446
Assessing environmental impacts of construction

BRE Digest 447
Waste minimisation on construction sites

BRE 1P7/00
Reclamation and recycling of building materials

DTLR/CIRIA
The reclaimed and recycled materials handbook

These titles are available from RICS Books or RICS members can borrow them from the library.