Problem addressed

Whilst there has been some attention to circularity in the construction sector, there is a lack of understanding between the value of circularity in the drive to net zero, with lack of data and related measurement tools commonly referenced as a key challenge.

Overview of start-up

Reusefully is currently working on two products to promote circularity in construction:

PreaDeM – Aims to help the social housing sector realise better circularity outcomes when considering whether to demolish or refurbish homes. A key objective of PreaDeM is to develop a smarter way to quantify what is there (for example using more state of the art technology such as point cloud, photogrammetry and walk through scanning) combined with detailed specification information and assumptions to determine what can be extracted for further reuse, closed-loop recycling, and other resource management options. The tool can help determine the embodied carbon, operational carbon, waste impact, end of life impact, and whole life cost of refurbishment versus new build for a project. 

LINK – Using artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve the reuse rate of construction materials. Using a mobile phone’s camera, the app will be developed to recognise construction materials and products (whether that be brick, stone, panels, partitions, floor tiles etc), quantify them and sort them into separate postings with an automatic upload to LINK’s online exchange platform. LINK will aim to connect end-user buyers directly to material owners, aiming to disrupt the currently inefficient and sustainability-defeating process of travelling multiple journeys to pick up varying volumes of materials and storing them before struggling to sell at high prices or disposing them. It aims to create a more cost-effective market for reusing materials therefore leading to a dramatic increase in reuse.

What makes the start-up innovative

Use of innovative artificial intelligence, machine leaning and digital technology to help increase the circularity and material reuse rate in the construction industry.

How the start-up has been designed to scale up quickly

Both LINK and PreaDeM are feasibility/research studies designed to create the specification for a tool or toolkit to bring about change. These will be delivered via web platform/digital technology with the likelihood that Reusefully will be seeking other commercial support/investment to maximise uptake.