The driving force for the pre-refurbishment audit for this office building in Islington, was the client’s policy to avoid landfill as much as possible. The audit identified 101 tonnes of material for removal, with 63 tonnes retained on-site and 30 tonnes allocated for off-site reuse.

Material Index facilitated the off-site reuse of 1.2 tonnes of this material, including kitchenettes, toilets, hand dryers, and specialist lighting. All available assets were registered through our platform, enabling ease of brokering and ensuring that materials were efficiently tracked and matched for prospective buyers. In total, the project achieved a carbon saving of 123 tonnes CO2e, primarily through the retention of raised modular flooring and the reuse of materials via approved partners.

Total Materials

Retain in-situ

Reuse Offsite

A pre-refurbishment audit for this office building in Islington was driven by the client’s policy to divert material from landfill. A Material Index audit facilitated off-site reuse of kitchenettes, toilets, hand dryers, and specialist 
lighting in collaboration with Collins.

Oliver's Yard

Enhanced Pre-Demolition Audit 

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Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, situated in Rotherhithe, London, is currently owned by British Land. The centre opened in July 1988, following development by the London Docklands Development Corporation in the London Docklands and surrounding areas. The building has largely retained its original structure, with a notable extension added in 2008.

The demolition of the Surrey Quays site is planned with a focus on maximizing the recovery and reuse of materials. The scope of work includes a complete strip-out and demolition of the shopping centre structure, as well as the removal of external hardstanding areas. 

The existing structure, built in the 1980s, features a concrete frame, a masonry brick façade, and double-glazed windows supported by steel framing.

Material Index reviewed archival information to input structural quantities into the Material Index Platform.

British Land requested an enhanced pre-demolition audit of a retail site in Surrey Quays. Material Index conducted a full site survey of the retail spaces through the Material Index platform. Archival Information was reviewed to complete in-depth structural review.

Surrey Quays Shopping Centre

Material Index worked with Colemans to audit several industrial sites in Hayes. We collaborate with contractors to use the Waste Hierarchy to determine an approach to waste management and support the circular economy.

Hayes Industrial Units

Material Index conducted a MRA of 1 Knightsbridge Green instructed by project managers Blackburn & Co’s, which included a material brokerage service. The shared aim of Material Index and Blackburn & Co was to maximise reuse of materials during the demolition process.

Material Index, with assistance from ‘Contrakt’, the strip-out contractors team on site, facilitated the collection of materials from 1 Knightsbridge Green over a period of four months. Materials that had reuse potential were catalogued within the MI platform during the MRA. There was a wide range of materials captured within the audit, so the exchange team decided to group asset types for sales outreach and targeted specific partners within our network to maximise reuse results.

Value of Materials Brokered (excl. VAT) 

Net value returned to client (excl. VAT) 

Asset types brokered 

Number of exchange MI partners used

Total number of collections 

These headline figures show the success of the project. We were able to add value to the project, generating increased revenue for the client and diverting materials from typical recycling/waste pathways. The benefits of MI’s hands-on approach was reflected in orchestrating 14 different collections from site.

Material Index conducted a Material Reclamation Audit (MRA), and brokering services, of 1 Knightsbridge Green. Instructed by Blackburn & Co, over £8,000 was returned to client and an estimated Carbon saving of over 60 tCO2e.  

1 Knightsbridge Green 

A MRA was conducted by Material Index at the iconic DUKES Hotel located in St James’ Mayfair, prior to its refurbishment. The 93 key hotel had a large variety and quantity of assets, including furniture, lighting and sanitaryware, which was captured in the audit.

Considering a short time frame and difficult site access, the exchange team successfully found reuse pathways for 285 assets, with an estimated equivalent of 182 tonnes (182,107 kgs) CO2e. 

Material Index is proud to have enabled circular economy practices at this iconic London establishment.

A Material Reclamation Audit (MRA) was conducted by Material Index at DUKES Hotel located in St James’ Mayfair, prior to its refurbishment. Instructed by the DML Group, MI made a saving of approximately 182 tonnes CO2e at this iconic 93 key hotel. 

Dukes Hotel

The London Legacy Development Corporation engaged Material Index to provide environmental reporting, capture residual value, and minimize waste on their ‘Old Ford’ Wastewater Recycling Centre site in East London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

We conducted a comprehensive audit, prepared contract documents for the deconstruction contractor, and managed asset brokerage. This process enabled the resale of numerous technical components – from battery banks to generators - to eight different trade partners, generating over £12,000 in revenue with many items initially earmarked as waste or scrap were successfully repurposed.

During the project we pioneered new OCR technology to help rapidly catalogue part numbers and plates. All the components were individually tagged, wrapped, and palletised for dispatch to a broad range of buyers both nationally and internationally.

Retained

Old Ford

Our collaborative approach aims to guide the design by Donald Insall Associates and inform thermal modelling by Atelier Ten.

MI's first combined Condition Survey and Pre-Demolition Audit. We used our platform to report on U-Values, fabric build-ups and opportunities for retention, reuse and recycling. 

George & Dragon Hall, Holland Park

A pre-refurbishment audit of an office building in Holborn. Material Index worked with the design team at Orms and Artists at Studio Tip to establish on-site reuse opportunities. Material available for off-site reuse is being explored for resale or donation through the Material Index Exchange.

Lincoln's Inn Fields

One of the highlights of this year, Material Index is proud to spotlight our recent achievements in the Greencoat and Gordon House project, situated on Francis Street, SW1, within Derwent London’s esteemed Victoria portfolio.

This enhanced pre-demolition audit, a cornerstone in our commitment to sustainability and circular economy, aims to meticulously catalog building elements that are viable for reuse, reducing embodied carbon and supporting zero waste initiatives. In collaboration with Squire & Partners, architects of the refurbishment, and Atelier Ten, the sustainability consultants, Material Index has conducted a comprehensive inventory focusing on the reuse of MEP equipment, FF&E, and various finishes.

This project not only reinforces our strong relationship with Derwent London but also underscores our leadership in transforming urban spaces with an eye towards sustainability and innovation in material reuse.

Working closely with Derwent London, Material Index have been involved from Stage 2 through to Stage 4. The online material management has allowed tenants and the building owner to explore portfolio reuse opportunities. 

Greencoat & Gordon House

Material Index was appointed by Deconstruct UK to conduct a brokering survey and facilitate the reuse of glass partitions from a London office demolition site.

The partitions were successfully deconstructed and re-purposed for installation at Broadwalk House, on behalf of British Land. All glass and ironmongery were carefully reused, while the frames were resprayed to enhance their appearance. Material Index coordinated the process by engaging Cast Interiors, the design and build contractor for the recipient site, and D&C Glass & Glazing, who expertly handled the removal and installation of the partitions.

Process: The partitions were one of multiple components identified for reuse in the MI platform during an audit. For these components a subsequent site visit was conducted to assess the partitions, take final measurements, and perform a risk assessment for removal. The partitions span 7 linear meters, with a total weight of 500 kg and a carbon footprint of 719 kg CO2e.

The partitions were reinstalled at Broadwalk House, with all glass and ironmongery safely reused, while the frames have been resprayed, extending their lifecycle.

Glass & Ironmongery Salvaged

Carbon Avoided

Material Index was appointed by Deconstruct UK to conduct a brokering survey and facilitate the reuse of glass partitions from a London office demolition site. 

Dovetail

1 Appold Street, an office building from the late 1980s in the Broadgate Estate, was undergoing a strip-out as part of an extensive commercial redevelopment. 

Material Index conducted a thorough pre-demolition audit, creating a detailed asset register. Led by Hilson Moran’s sustainability consultants, the project team used our platform to identify items for retention, reuse, and recycling. The resulting Circular Economy report helped fulfill BREEAM and internal environmental standards.

A substantial portion of the assets were earmarked for reuse, and after the report’s release, Material Index facilitated the exchange of numerous components through its Trade Partner network, as well as donations to charity partners chosen by the developer.

Total Reuse

Floor Tiles Brokered

1 Appold Street, an office building from the late 1980s in the Broadgate Estate, was undergoing a strip-out as part of an extensive commercial redevelopment.

Material Index conducted a thorough pre-demolition audit, creating a detailed asset register.


1 Appold Street

Two Pancras Square, is located within the RelatedArgent King’s Cross development. Material Index were appointed to conduct a pre-refurbishment audit over two floors to identify components suitable for resale and reuse using it’s digital platform.

Reuse Onsite

Material Index collaborated with the contractors (Parkeray) and multiple logistics partners to successfully broker all items designated for reuse. Over £2,850 of material was donated from two floors.

Two Pancras Square, is located within the RelatedArgent King’s Cross development. Material Index were appointed to conduct a pre-refurbishment audit  over two floors to identify components suitable for resale and reuse using it’s digital platform.

Projects