Reciprocity Cardiff
Building sustainable communities
About
The centre was established to enable the construction industry to donate their surplus materials to good causes avoiding waste and landfill.
The construction industry in the UK uses approximately 420 million tonnes of materials and products per annum and generates 120 million tonnes of waste. It is estimated that 13% of construction waste is new and unused materials.
Funded by the Welsh Government, Constructing Excellence in Wales has been able to work with partners to develop the infrastructure to redistribute surplus goods from the construction industry to good causes.
What we do
Construction materials end up in the waste stream because they are surplus to requirements, have small defects or damage to the packaging or are end of line items.
The centre works to match surplus construction materials to need, taking in surplus materials from all parts of the construction and industry and identifying good causes (charities, community projects, schools & not for profits organisations) who need construction materials to develop their projects.
Why does surplus happen?
Surplus happens everywhere in all industries but in the construction industry it’s particularly visible because of the use of the skip. Surplus happens in construction due to:
- Standard pack sizes
- Over ordering just in case of damage
- Minimum order requirements
- End of line stock items
- Small defects
- Damage to packaging
- Returned items
- Ordering errors
Reciprocity Cardiff provides the infrastructure to enable construction companies to donate. The facility is able to accept large quantities of materials, catalogue, store and redistribute them to good causes.
The centre works to provide an efficient solution which diverts usable goods from being wasted and provides resources to where it is needed.
Why donate materials
The benefits from donating or receiving goods from Reciprocity Cardiff are :
Environment
Avoid landfill – reuse with positive environmental benefits
Save CO2 – all donors and recipients receive a report detailing CO2 savings
Saves money
Free up space on site and in warehouse by donating surplus
Avoid disposal costs
Good causes can access materials for only a small administration fee
Community benefits
Donate to good causes
Benefit the local community
Materials we can receive
We are able to receive any surplus construction materials as long as they are:
- Clean and uncontaminated
- Fit for use (as originally intended)
- Not damaged
- Not hazardous (paints, mastics and silicones etc can be accepted if unopened and sealed, electrical goods can only be accepted if unused and still in the original packaging)
Materials we are not able to receive
We are not able to accept:
- Second hand items
- Asbestos
- Soil and derivatives
- Items from demolition activities
If you have items you wish to donate but are unsure if we are able to take these items, please call our team on 02920 493322
How do I donate?
Before we accept any materials into the centre we ask all donors to contact us to discuss the items they wish to donate and our terms and conditions. Please call us on 02920 493322 or email surplus@cewales.org.uk
How do I receive items?
If you would like to receive items from Reciprocity Cardiff you will need to register.
You can download the registration form here: Registration Form
Following registration you will be given a user name and password, this will enable you to access the website to browse all of the available items in the centre and to register a project wish list.
If you have any questions or require any further information please contact us on 02920 493322 or email surplus@cewales.org.uk
