Material Reuse at Scale – University of Cambridge Land Society

Our co-founder Morgan Lewis was profiled in the latest issue of the Cambridge University Land Society (CULS) magazine.

He shines a light on the exorbitant amount of construction waste that ends up in landfill and makes the case for accelerating construction material reuse.

Our co-founder Morgan Lewis was profiled in the latest issue of the Cambridge University Land Society (CULS) magazine.

Material Reuse at Scale – University of Cambridge Land Society 

This week Material Index had the pleasure of hosting a stand at Future Build 2024, where we had the opportunity to make some fantastic new connections and meet with people and businesses interested in reuse in construction.

Our CEO, Morgan Lewis, presented at the Architects Climate Action Network (ACAN) stand, where he fielded some great questions from the audience. Thank you to everybody who dropped by. It was fantastic to see there is clearly a groundswell of interest in the material reuse space.

This week Material Index had the pleasure of hosting a stand at Future Build 2024, where we had the opportunity to make some fantastic new connections and meet with people and businesses interested in reuse in construction.

Material Index at Future Build 2024

Material Index shortlisted for the 2023 William Sutton Prize.

We are honoured to be shortlisted for the prestigious William Sutton Prize, appearing alongside winners 

, Bridport Cohousing and Urban Growth Learning Gardens.

The fifth edition of the Prize issued a call to action to disruptors and innovators for ideas with the potential to improve the carbon footprint of the social housing sector, and its residents, to help accelerate our transition to net zero in a just and fair way.

Great to see architects, community groups, and start-ups addressing the great challenges of our time: housing and decarbonisation. There are clear pointers in the shortlist towards biomaterials and circularity as key solutions, fostered through collaboration and care.

, Bridport Cohousing and Urban Growth Learning Gardens.

Material Index shortlisted for the 2023 William Sutton Prize 

Oliver developed his operations and strategy expertise working in his family business, which specialises in the supply of high-end Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) equipment to the luxury greenhouse industry. He further developed his operations experience, building a team and leading the UK launch of Foodtech company Foodles.

Enabling reuse in construction relies on three key aspects (1) knowing what is in your building, (2) identifying pathways, and (3) understanding how to disassemble, move, store & certify materials. Understanding disassembly, packing, storage and logistics are key to ensuring reuse of materials can happen.

We love Oliver's 'get it done attitude'; he's not afraid to roll up his sleeves to get stuck in and we are really pleased to have him in the team to lead in the materials side of our business.

Material Index are delighted to welcome Oliver Lawson to the team as our Material Exchange Lead.

Welcome to the team – Oliver Lawson 

Habitat for Humanity UK Launch

On Tuesday 26th November, Material Index attended the launch of the first-ever Habitat for Humanity ReStore in the UK. This pioneering retail initiative in Romford aims to provide accessible and affordable home improvement materials, whilst reducing landfill waste and championing the circular economy. With the patronage of HRH The Duke of Gloucester, the event celebrated the store opening and valuable collaborations between Habitat for Humanity GB and partners, including Material Index.

The launch event featured encouraging speeches from key figures, including HRH The Duke of Gloucester, Henrietta Blackmore (National Director of Habitat for Humanity GB), Nicola Barclay (Chair of the Board of Trustees), and Karla Rednall (Director of Retail). These leaders emphasised the ReStore mission to provide affordable, sustainable solutions to the local community, and targets to divert 300 tonnes of materials from landfill each year. The store opening in Romford is joining over 1,000 Habitat ReStores to be successfully operating across the globe.

Material Index is proud to have supported this initiative. The successful launch of the UK’s first Habitat ReStore has already meant many materials have been recirculated and reused within the local community, with a highly anticipated)second UK ReStore coming soon! Let’s celebrate this remarkable achievement and continue to champion solutions for people and planet.

The store, located at 8-16 High Street in Romford, is already making significant impact by providing affordable upcycled furniture and home improvement supplies, which supports Habitat for Humanity’s broader mission of creating safe, affordable housing and addressing homelessness through their ‘Empty Spaces to Homes' programme.

This is more than just a retail outlet; it’s a local hub for community upliftment, connection and accessible and sustainable alternatives. For Material Index, the collaboration with ReStore showcases our deep commitment to material reuse, and underscores the significant social impact that can be realised through diverting materials from traditional waste streams. Enabling reuse at scale through partnerships such as this, highlights the intrinsic contribution social value has to a circular transition in the construction industry that we’re leading.

On Tuesday 26th November 2024, Material Index attended the launch of the first-ever Habitat for Humanity ReStore in the UK. This pioneering retail initiative in Romford aims to provide accessible and affordable home improvement materials, whilst reducing landfill waste and championing the circular economy. 


Material Index selected for Digital Catapult Sustainability Accelerator

Material Index are proud to announce we have been selected for the Made Smarter Innovation Sustainability Accelerator, alongside HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd, with the aim to improve resource and energy efficiency in the UK manufacturing sector.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop our novel rapid material auditing tool for use within large scale rail infrastructure.

Delivered by Digital Catapult and funded by Innovate UK, the programme pairs UK manufacturers with technology companies to adapt and improve their approach to industrial innovation. The new programme will foster deeper strategic collaborations between tech innovators and industrial pioneers to advance sustainable manufacturing initiatives, including the application of digital twin technologies.

Material Index are proud to announce we have been selected for the Made Smarter Innovation Sustainability Accelerator, alongside HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd, with the aim to improve resource and energy efficiency in the UK manufacturing sector.

It was great to be part of the first ever Jumpstart 5k fun run around Battersea Park yesterday.

Material Index joined over 1000 other participants associated with London's thriving startup ecosystem for this event. It was good to connected with the teams at Sifted, That Thing, Xpofairs, as well as many others. Looking forward to the next one!

It was great to be part of the first ever Jumpstart 5k fun run around Battersea Park yesterday.

Team fun at the Jumpstart 5k!

Material Index announced as finalists in ‘The Pitch’ at UKREiif 2024

The Pitch is a brand-new platform at UKREiiF 2024 for innovators, disruptors, and problem-solvers to promote their business to investors and a top-level panel of industry leaders at.

Six innovative start-ups were selected from over 50 applications, to showcase their offer to a group of industry leaders and investors. The finalists include:

 – Technical, financial and ESG risk metric solutions software for financial institutions and asset managers.

 An AI-powered platform that enables real estate investors to make the best data-driven investment decisions.

 – Open market rent-to-own programme helping first-time buyers achieve their goal of homeownership.

 – One-stop-shop platforms for material management and reporting, from pre-demolition audits to material procurement and exchange.

 – The world’s first no-dig allotment community with sites across the UK, building a movement to help people get back to growing their own.

 – Digital platform enabling construction teams to collect real-time materials and waste data at the source.

Morgan Lewis, Director, Architect, at Material Index, said: 

“UKREiiF has a unique ability to pull together the most critical players in the industry, and Material Index is delighted to be introducing our platform for material reuse at scale here. The Pitch is an invaluable opportunity to reach the people that matter.”

The Pitch is a brand-new platform at UKREiiF 2024 for innovators, disruptors, and problem-solvers to promote their business to investors and a top-level panel of industry leaders at.

We meet Duncan Baker Brown, the Godfather of reuse

This week Material Index had the pleasure of meeting the Godfather of Material Reuse; Duncan Baker-Brown!

It was great to spend time with Duncan who has spent the last 30 years advocating for the reuse of materials in construction and developing his practice; Baker Brown, around it. We were able to share what we have been doing as a company to help accelerate the transition to a circular economy in construction and explore possible synergies.

Duncan has recently published the second edition of his book 'The Reuse Atlas - A designers Guide Towards a Circular Economy', where he has completed over 60 hours of interviews with leaders in this space. A must read for those wishing to expand their knowledge in this area.

This week Material Index had the pleasure of meeting the Godfather of Material Reuse; Duncan Baker-Brown!