We have all stayed at rubbish hotels but this one is a little different, it’s a hotel made entirely out of rubbish.

The hotel is made up of approximately twelve tonnes of rubbish collected from Europe’s beaches. It has been built as an artistic method of raising awareness about the throwaway culture that we live in and to highlight the coastline’s worrying levels of pollution.

The hotel is located in the world famous tourist city of Rome and has been created by German artist HA Schult. The distinguished guest list of the hotel includes eco-warrior and Danish fashion model Helena Christensen.

Whilst this may be seen as a bit of fun by some, there is a very serious underlying message that we are ignorant about rubbish and resources. We currently consume far beyond the earths capacity of resources and at some point something must give.

To some extent the increased awareness of recycling has largely determined that our throw away lifestyles can be maintained safe in the knowledge that rubbish will be recycled. This fails to address the true underlying problems and the need to reduce our rubbish, where this is not possible then reuse should be preferential to recycling.

This is a value that BuilderScrap can assist with in relation to construction materials, we are always seeking to maximise the life cycle of products and resources by providing a platform to do so.

It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do everything we can to reduce the amount of consumption that we are currently inflicting on our planet, after all the earths resources are finite.

The docklands of the Wirral Peninsula faces a massive regeneration scheme over the next three decades after the £4.5 billion planning application was given the green light.

The Wirral Waters scheme will transform more than 500 acres of disused brownfield sites over the next 30 years in the Birkenhead region. The project aims to breathe fresh life into the area, creating environmental as well as economic benefits to Birkenhead, Wallasey as well as the Merseyside region as a whole.

The development is expected to create tens of thousands of jobs during the construction phase and has been hailed a massive boost to the economy of the area as well as the residents that the project will impact directly upon.

The cabinet member for regeneration and planning strategy, Andrew Hodson commented: “This is a great day for Wirral. We have been working closely with Peel for almost four years to bring jobs and regeneration to the borough”.

“The approval of this planning application will lead to the total transformation of what is currently derelict brownfield land within East Float at Birkenhead Docks and when finished will create over 27,000 jobs.

“This has taken place against a backdrop of the worst recession in living memory and it is a credit to both Peel and Wirral Council that we have kept the plans moving.”

He added: “Subject to getting the okay from the government, we hope work will start on site within the next two years and officers of the council will continue to work with Peel as we move into the development phase.”

At BuilderScrap we are delighted to hear the news of this local development, as a Wirral based company this announcement marks exciting times for the area and we look forward to seeing the project progress.

Source: EDIE (net) 23 August 2010

Revolutionary building materials reuse web site BuilderScrap is to launch a premium membership programme designed especially for builders’ merchants.

BuilderScrap was founded by commercial contractors The Trustland Group as a response to the ever increasing problem of construction waste. It aims to connect surplus building material, otherwise destined for landfill or recycling, with projects in the local area requiring those materials.

Previously aimed at contractors and tradespeople, BuilderScrap has now launched a membership for suppliers into the trade. This membership not only allows suppliers to pass on slow moving or returned stock to their local community, thus saving on storage and/or disposal, but allows them to demonstrate their commitment to the environment and the industry.

In an increasingly competitive environment, companies need to show that they are going above and beyond what is required by legislation and policy. By using BuilderScrap to pass on materials to charities,

community groups and other parties in need, companies can prove their corporate social responsibility.

The new membership programme will provide merchants with a whole list of benefits including:

1. Demonstrating your support for reuse within the supply chain

2. Evidence based corporate social responsibility

3. Helping provide your customers with the reuse solution

4. Stimulating the market by moving surplus materials which otherwise would have be thrown away

5. Visibility in the BuilderScrap directory

6. A route to market for obsolete and slow moving stock lines

BuilderScrap, a not for profit organisation, is seeking new ways to both improve the service and also help support what has become an invaluable industry resource.

Recent awards, including the Green Apple ‘Gold Award’ and the NW Construction Industry Carbon Reduction award, have shown how the industry now regards materials reuse as an integral part of the battle to combat waste and also cut costs associated with sending materials to landfill.

Les Owens, Managing Director of BuilderScrap commented, ‘with the launch of this new programme, we are confident that builders merchants will see value in supporting the site and also being part of a growing community of organizations within the construction industry, all brought together with one common purpose; the reduction of our dependence on landfill sites’

For more information about BuilderScrap please contact:

Rebecca Owens, Marketing Manager

E: rco@builderscrap.com

T: 0844 225 3000

This month BuilderScrap were invited to the official launch of ‘Slick’ the Dragon, I attended along with BuilderScrap Business Development Manager Brendon Kenny. ‘Slick’ is the new mascot for Palletways and is displayed on a 61ft high pallet shaped hot air balloon. The Balloon displays ‘Slick’ carrying a large pallet on its back, big enough to carry 1450 full size pallet loads.

‘Slick’ represents protection and ensures that all deliveries are made with due care across Palletways distribution network. Palletways is Europe’s largest dedicated provider of express distribution services for small consignments of palletised goods.

The balloon will be visiting a large number of events over the coming months in the UK and across Europe as part of an extensive marketing campaign and the image will be appearing across the Palletways group in the near future.

The launch was made against the stunning backdrop of Warwick Castle. We donned our musketeer outfits and spent the evening in 15th century Britain as Musketeer Mike and Musketeer Brendon. Jesters performed, minstrels played and ‘Slick’ the dragon defeated two braveknights in an unusual twist to popular legend, we then enjoyed further entertainment and a fine medieval banquet in the great hall.

(Terry Morris Commercial Manager of Palletways and Brendon Kenny Business Development Manager of BuilderScrap)

As the sun went down we enjoyed a visual treat as the balloon performed a spectacular light show within the castle courtyard. I am sure we will be seeing much more of ‘Slick’ in the near future as the Palletways brand continues to go from strength to strength.

Michael Close (Project Manager)

If I was to tell you all that the past couple of weeks had been a successful time for BuilderScrap, I would be making the under statement of the year. The awards have been flowing towards us recently and we are happy to reap the benefits.

A couple of weeks back, BuilderScrap were Highly Commended in the Supply Partner category of the Construction News Awards.  We were described as inspirational and innovative, and it was agreed the industry needs to utilize services like this. Then a couple of my colleagues attended the Green Apple Award where they were presented with the prestigious Gold Award.

Just last week we had another cause for celebration.  On Thursday 8 July we were finalists at the Merseyside Innovation Awards and were awarded £1,000 which we were delighted to receive.

The prizes did not stop then, the next night more than 350 key figures from commerce and industry came together to celebrate the achievement of companies at the 2010 Wirral Investment Network Awards ceremony.  11 awards were presented to companies from all sectors and were very happy to be presented with the Environment Award, managing to see off the tough competition from B&M Waste and Technical Demolition Services.

It is a very successful time for BuilderScrap and we couldn’t have done it without our loyal users, so we’d like to thank you all for your support.

Les Owens, Managing Director of BuilderScrap and a committee representative for the Merseyside Innovation Awards speak on BBC Merseyside.

BuilderScrap are a finalist for the prestigious award.

Click the link below to listen to the interview which was on BBC Merseyside this morning.

http://www.merseysideinnovationawards.co.uk/

North West based building materials reuse web site BuilderScrap scooped the Carbon Reduction award at last week’s annual North West Construction Awards ceremony in Southport.

BuilderScrap is revolutionising the way the construction industry treats surplus building materials by providing them with a free platform to advertise any excess or waste materials that can be reused in other building projects. The ever increasing costs associated with the disposal of surplus building materials prompted the creation of BuilderScrap and the site has been commended by many official trade bodies for the positive impact it is having on the environment.

This latest award is further evidence of the importance the construction industry is placing on resources that are there to assist the industry in meeting tough targets laid down by the Government and WRAP for preserving materials and the beneficial impact this policy has on the environment.

Speaking after collecting the award, Les Owens, MD of BuilderScrap commented that ‘this is an award that recognises the incredibly hard work the whole team has put in making the site what it is today. I hope that the industry will continue to make BuilderScrap a key part of their ongoing strategy to help combat waste and alleviate the pressure put on what little landfill capacity we have left in the UK’

BuilderScrap MD Les Owens (right centre) and Brendon Kenny (left centre) attended North West Construction Awards

Last week BuilderScrap celebrated it’s first official birthday!  And what a year it has been.  This post looks at some of our highlights of last year.

I asked a few members of the BuilderScrap team to give me a paragraph each about their highlights from our first year.

Mike Close

 Mike Close, Project Manager, wrote ‘Having only joined 3 months ago, it has been an exciting time to join the team, there is so much going on and it is obvious how far BuilderScrap has come even over the last few months, yet alone the year as a whole. It has been a quick learning process and I now feel very much part of the team that is ready to take BuilderScrap to the next level. My high points without doubt have been spreading the message at the various road shows and trade shows; Eco build was a particular favourite. I look forward to continuing to help to develop and drive things forward over the coming year, there are some fantastic opportunities both in the UK and overseas, just not enough time in the day.’

Paul Jones

Paul Jones, our Digital Marketing Assistant, ‘I’ve been working for BuilderScrap for roughly 7 months, it has been quite an experience, and some of my highlights of the past few months have been the trips to Birmingham and London. I also enjoyed watching the user numbers consistently grow thanks to the work of our marketing team and the early mornings at Huws Gray.  Looking back on my time here I have enjoyed working with everyone especially the users who continue to support us.’

Dannii Owens

Dannii Owens, Marketing Assistant says ‘Having worked for BuilderScrap before graduating last year I was really excited to be offered a position as Marketing Assistant.  Ten months later and I have experienced a great year with the company, particularly enjoying the opportunity to meet and speak to new people through user surveys, trade shows and our road show!  I know from personal experience that people asking to do a short survey can be time consuming and rather annoying but all of our users so far have been talkative, helpful and friendly.  I was also one of the lucky team members who got to attend EcoBuild this year, another brilliant experience with a variety of people to speak to and lots of interesting companies displaying their businesses.  The road show at Huws Gray yards was also great fun, who wouldn’t enjoy free sausage and egg butties three times a week?’

As for me, the highlights have been growing our small team of me, the MD and a couple of consultants to include Dannii, Paul, Mike, and the six new staff who have joined us this week from the future jobs fund.  It’s also been great to receive recognition for what we are doing, through winning and being shortlisted for several prestigious awards, including the Green Apple Award, Construction News Quality Awards, Rushlight Awards and Wirral Investment Network Awards.  It has also been great to see our memberships rise dramatically, which they contimue to do!

Bugs and Insects at the Tam O’ Shanter Urban Farm on Bidston Hill, Wirral are currently enjoying a new bug and insect hotel. The hotel, made by volunteers incorporates some materials which have been sourced and acquired through the BuilderScrap website and demonstrates a more unusual method of reusing materials.

The hotel has been specially designed to create additional habitat for a number of bugs and insects including both solitary bees and bumblebees which are both declining in numbers. Loss of habitat and pesticide damage have placed a number of bee species under threat in many developed countries, in fact three species of Bumblebee have already become extinct with another 8 considered to be in serious decline.

We hope the new hotel will provide a fantastic new habitat to benefit the local bug and insect populations.

At BuilderScrap we are constantly looking for new solutions such as this to utilise surplus materials from the construction industry, instead of seeing these added to the increasing amounts been sent to landfill each year. We would love to hear from anyone who has found new and interesting ways to benefit from reusing materials (particularly if you have used BuilderScrap).

If you are interested in using BuilderScrap on your own project or have any case studies for reuse please contact us either by email info@builderscrap.com or call 0844 225 3000.

So which is the most eco friendly pet to keep and which pets should come with an environmental hazard warning? I am looking at which pets are more environmentally friendly than others as well as investigating whether green options exist for pet owners.

As you might expect keeping a pet horse or cow is a little more carbon intensive than sharing your home with a hamster or a gerbil. Indeed keeping a hamster or gerbil is probably about as eco-friendly as a pet can be; they eat little; they are low maintenance and generally seem happiest exploring their cage for the zillionth time. Unfortunately other animals are far more environmentally damaging; horses take up too much space, dogs and cats consume large quantities of meat, and more unusual pets such as snakes, exotic fish and budgeries are often illegally trapped, removed from their natural habitats and transported long distances. Not environmentally sound.

Now I can take some moral high ground here, I am not a pet owner since my two gerbils departed earlier this year. To be honest I am generally not a fan of having pets in my home; don’t get me wrong I like animals but having them dependent on me… perhaps not. The gerbils were great though, minimal effort and great entertainment, usually much better than the slim offerings served up by my television.

In the UK by far the most popular pets are the dog (estimated at 31% of UK households) and the cat (26% of UK households) (BBC News 06/02/2010). According to Brenda Vale’s recent book “Time to Eat the Dog” keeping a cat was equivalent to driving a Volkswagen Golf 6000 miles a year, whilst the family dog could be even worse – similar to running a couple of gas guzzling 4×4’s (The Times Online 06/04/2010). I suspect that this statistic probably varies between a Chihuahua and a Great Dane however.

So how can the environmentally aware pet owner ensure that their favourite pet is not an ecological drain and what can they do about it? Most owners probably won’t consider eating said pet but they might want to try creating an environmentally friendly diet.  Many of the large pet food companies are now tapping into the ecological guilt of pet owners and are producing sustainable pet foods, so owners can be safe in the knowledge that their furry friend is not causing excessive damage to the natural world. Also on the market are eco friendly dog beds, pet septic tanks and durable toys.

I guess the current environmental awareness asks us to review every aspect of life to see where we can improve our environmental performance. I don’t suppose that anyone would realistically ask someone to give up their pet for the sake of reducing their carbon footprint, after all there are much worse things we can do for the environment. It does seem that it is now an option that pet owners can now choose from an increasing amount of greener options when it comes to buying pet supplies. This does of course open up another whole can of worms regarding the validity of eco branding but that can wait for another time.

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