Preventing surplus construction materials from becoming waste with Rebuild Social Enterprise

The highly successful social enterprise focuses on circular economy principles and their mission blends perfectly with the aims of Sunbelt Rentals Our Planet social impact strategy.

The Challenge

The construction industry drives 6% of UK GDP while contributing 60% (140m tonnes) of all UK waste. This equates to £6BN lost value from a £100BN annual industry turnover. The sector needs to get much smarter about resource use. Rebuild was set up with the purpose of encouraging everyone to rethink how to better use materials by reclaiming materials that are currently being thrown away or down cycled and reusing as much excess and ‘nearly-new’ materials as possible. This gives the opportunity to create value from what is often treated as waste.

The Solution

To divert this potential waste to good use, Rebuild takes surplus materials from the construction sector and gives them to community groups and charities to help with their projects, as well as selling the items at reduced prices to the local public and trades.

Sunbelt Rentals has partnered with Rebuild for the long-term to support their growth and help them achieve their aims, helping the UK construction sector to lower their environmental impacts.

To kickstart, Sunbelt Rentals are thrilled to play a key role in helping Rebuild move their operations to another area of their current site that is larger and enables them to increase their capacity for storing and distributing materials that otherwise would have become waste, as well as have the space for new circular economy initiatives like the Tool Library.

Sunbelt Rentals teammates have helped lead in the planning, devising site surveys and blueprints for the new location and are providing equipment and experts to help fully renovate and prepare the new section of the empty airport hangar they are moving to. Located at the Kingmoor Park Industrial Estate, Carlisle it will become a consumer facing shop and storage facility.

This marks a fantastic start to the partnership, and we are in great company as the innovative social enterprise has attracted the support of many industry peers, clients and local government supporters such as Cumbria County Council, Story Contracting, Story Homes, Travis Perkins, Wickes and many more.

The Result

The re-location of Rebuild to larger premises was a great success. Many Sunbelt volunteers took part and gave hundreds of hours over many months to make sure the move went smoothly and safely.

Sarah MacGregor, Social Impact Manager from Sunbelt Rentals said, “We are thrilled to help boost the capacity and infrastructure of Rebuild, as the landmark project provides a part of the solution for the construction industry to work towards zero avoidable waste in a unique and socially conscious way. In the short time they have been up and running Rebuild has already supported over 20 community projects that make a significant difference to those living in the area local to our Cumbrian depots. This outcome, alongside the environmental benefits of the project is so powerful and we are extremely proud to be a part of it.”

Emma Porter, Rebuild Site Director said “"The support from the Sunbelt team to help get us moved into a bigger space has been amazing. Expanding our operations will enable us to support more community projects, to prevent more usable materials going to waste and to continue to drive the adoption of circular economy practices. Positive, practical and encouraging throughout, Sunbelt have thought of things we wouldn't have considered, planned the move, provided tools, materials, volunteers and support. Thank you!"