Reclaimed Materials Sourced Locally, Cutting Transport Emissions
Introduction: Why Local Matters in Sustainable Construction When it comes to sustainable building practices, the materials you choose matter — but so does how far they travel. Transport emissions are a significant part of a construction project’s total carbon footprint. One simple yet powerful way to reduce this impact is by sourcing reclaimed materials from local suppliers.
At Reclaimed Brick Company, we specialise in reclaiming and supplying bricks, stone, and paving with a known, often local provenance — helping projects meet environmental goals while supporting the UK’s circular economy.
Understanding Transport Emissions in Construction Transport emissions in the construction industry come from the fuel used to move materials to and from site — typically by lorries or heavy-duty vans. The further materials travel, the more carbon is released into the atmosphere. This is especially true for heavy, bulk materials like bricks and stone.
By reducing "material miles," you not only lower your project’s embodied carbon but also help cut costs, reduce site congestion, and make your build more appealing to local planning authorities and sustainability assessors.
Reclaimed Materials with Local Provenance One of the major benefits of working with Reclaimed Brick Company is our extensive network of salvage across the UK. Many of our reclaimed bricks, paving, and architectural & decorative salvage are recovered from buildings within a 50–100-mile radius of our Sheffield yard.
This means that if you’re building in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, or surrounding areas, there’s a high likelihood we have stock that originated close to your site. That means:
- Fewer emissions in transit
- Less reliance on imports or cross-country haulage
- Easier documentation for BREEAM or LEED assessments under WST01 or MAT01
To see real examples of how local sourcing reduces impact and improves outcomes, explore our Customer Project stories featuring Yorkshire and Derbyshire homes, gardens, and commercial builds.
Why Local Reuse Outperforms Imported Sustainability Claims It can be tempting to opt for "sustainable" materials that are newly produced overseas, especially when they carry eco-labels or green certifications. But if those materials have travelled thousands of miles by ship and road, the overall carbon footprint may be higher than using locally sourced reclaimed materials.
Reclaimed bricks and stone are already in circulation. They don’t require energy-intensive manufacturing or raw material extraction. When sourced locally, their transport impact is also dramatically lower. It's one of the most efficient ways to cut embodied carbon while still delivering beauty and durability.
Explore more:
📖 How Reclaimed Bricks Reduce Embodied Carbon in Construction
📖 The Environmental Benefits of Reclaimed Bricks
Project Benefits of Local Reclaimed Supply Sourcing reclaimed materials locally doesn’t just benefit the environment — it’s good for your project and your community:
- Faster lead times and lower delivery costs
- Reduced risk of supply chain delays
- Authenticity of materials appropriate to regional vernacular
- Easier planning approval for conservation or heritage projects
Our clients often cite local provenance as a factor in winning over planning officers, architects, or conservation teams. It tells a story — not just of reuse, but of regional character and mindful building.
Helping You Meet Sustainability Standards At Reclaimed Brick Company, we can provide documentation that supports your sustainability reporting and green building certifications. By sourcing locally, you're more likely to achieve key credits in:
- BREEAM: WST01 (Construction Waste Management), MAT01 (Lifecycle Impacts)
- LEED: Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction
- ESG Reports: Lower scope 3 emissions from your supply chain
Our team is happy to help with tailored support packs, carbon data, and project-specific breakdowns for your sustainability documentation.
Conclusion: Build Local, Build Smarter Sustainability isn’t just about what materials you use — it’s about how and where you source them. Choosing locally reclaimed materials is one of the most straightforward, meaningful ways to reduce transport emissions and support responsible construction.
Whether you’re working on a home extension in the Peak District, a commercial unit in Sheffield, or a landscape design in the East Midlands, our range of authentic, locally salvaged bricks and stone can help bring your vision to life — sustainably.
