How reclaimed materials are shaping sustainable, low-carbon construction across the UK
Building for tomorrow by reusing what already works
The way we design and build is changing fast. Across the UK, architects, developers, and homeowners are moving away from the “take–make–discard” model that has defined construction for decades. In its place, a new approach is taking root — one that values reuse, durability, and smart resource management. It’s called the circular economy, and it’s reshaping how we think about the built environment.
At Reclaimed Brick Company, circular thinking isn’t a future aspiration — it’s how we’ve always worked. Every reclaimed brick we clean, sort, and supply represents a tangible step towards reducing waste and lowering embodied carbon. Together with our sister company, Britannia Stone, we’re proving that reclaimed materials aren’t just part of the sustainability conversation — they’re leading it.
What the circular economy really means
In simple terms, the circular economy aims to keep materials in use for as long as possible. Instead of manufacturing new resources, we look at how existing ones can be repaired, reused, or repurposed.
According to the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC, 2024), circular construction is “essential for achieving net-zero carbon goals,” because it reduces demand for energy-intensive manufacturing and minimises waste.
The opposite is the linear model — extract, build, use, demolish, landfill. This process consumes finite resources and releases significant carbon emissions. Circular construction, by contrast, prioritises materials with a proven past and a viable future.
That’s where reclaimed materials like bricks, Yorkstone paving, and building stone fit naturally: they’re already made, already proven, and ready to use again.
Plain English: What this means on site
For builders and homeowners, the circular economy just means reusing what still works. If a material can do its job again, it should. Using reclaimed bricks or stone saves new raw materials from being mined or fired, keeps waste out of landfill, and often lowers costs.
Every time a project chooses reclaimed over new, it reduces demand on the planet — without compromising quality or character.
Why circularity matters for ESG and policy
Circular construction isn’t just good practice — it’s becoming standard policy. The UK Government’s Net Zero 2050 strategy, the Construction Leadership Council’s Route map to Zero Carbon, and RIBA’s Sustainable Outcomes Guide all emphasise reuse and low-carbon design as key to sustainable development.
For architects and developers, reclaimed materials help meet these goals directly. They support:
-
Environmental: major reductions in embodied carbon and waste.
-
Social: protection of local heritage and community identity.
-
Governance: traceable, ethical supply chains with verifiable provenance.
The WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) estimates that reclaimed materials can reduce embodied carbon by up to 75–95% compared with new manufacture — an enormous saving for projects aiming for BREEAM or LEED certification.
Developers and CSR teams: why circular procurement matters
Corporate sustainability reporting is evolving quickly. ESG disclosures and frameworks like GRESB, TCFD, and Scope 3 emissions tracking now expect organisations to measure upstream and downstream carbon — not just what happens on site.
Circular procurement makes this measurable. Choosing reclaimed materials demonstrates tangible, evidence-based action. At Reclaimed Brick Company and Britannia Stone, every batch we supply is documented for provenance and responsible sourcing, helping CSR teams and specifiers align material selection with their sustainability statements.
Local sourcing also adds social value: supporting regional jobs, reducing transport emissions, and keeping heritage materials in circulation within the communities they came from.
From Sheffield to nationwide: circular design in action
When Marks & Spencer decided to build their Sheffield Eco Store, they weren’t simply opening another retail space — they were setting a benchmark. The design team prioritised reclaimed materials to reduce embodied carbon and reflect local character.
Reclaimed bricks supplied from our Sheffield yard helped the project achieve its sustainable design goals, combining authentic aesthetics with measurable carbon savings. The store stands today as a national brand’s local statement: a circular approach doesn’t just work — it looks and performs beautifully.
Image prompt: Exterior shot of M&S Sheffield Eco Store showcasing reclaimed brick façade.
Suggested caption: “Reclaimed bricks supplied by Reclaimed Brick Company formed a key part of the M&S Eco Store’s low-carbon design strategy in Sheffield.”
Beyond bricks: applying circular thinking to stone
Circular construction doesn’t stop at bricks. Our partner brand Britannia Stone applies the same principles to reclaimed paving, building stone, and walling stone. Each piece is recovered, cleaned, and re-graded for reuse — ensuring that centuries-old materials continue to serve modern projects.
Whether it’s heritage walling in the Cotswolds or reclaimed setts for city regeneration, these materials form part of the same closed-loop philosophy: build once, reuse forever.
Britannia Stone reclaims, restores, and reuses original Yorkstone,
extending its lifecycle for future builds.”
How reclaimed materials support BREEAM & LEED
Projects working toward BREEAM or LEED can earn credits directly through reclaimed sourcing:
- MAT01 – Life Cycle Impacts: Reusing existing materials avoids new production energy and extraction.
- WST01 – Construction Waste Management: Salvaging and reuse reduce landfill waste.
- MAN02 – Responsible Procurement: Provenance documentation supports transparent sourcing.
Because reclaimed bricks and stone bypass manufacturing, they also contribute positively to LEED v4 “Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction” credits.
Internal link prompts:
Measuring embodied carbon: the big lever in circular construction
According to RIBA (2023), embodied carbon can account for 50–75% of a building’s lifetime emissions. Unlike operational energy, this carbon is locked in before a building even opens its doors.
By reusing existing materials, we eliminate that initial carbon debt. A reclaimed brick’s manufacturing emissions occurred decades ago — its reuse today comes at virtually no additional environmental cost.
Independent assessments show reclaimed bricks can achieve a 75% reduction in embodied carbon, and reclaimed stone often exceeds 80–90%, depending on transport and processing.
Internal link prompt: How Reclaimed Materials Reduce Embodied Carbon in Construction
How to build circularly: three practical steps
1️⃣ Audit what already exists
Before specifying new materials, assess what can be reclaimed or reused — both on-site and via local suppliers. Contact our Brick Matching Service to find visual and structural matches for existing builds.
2️⃣ Specify reclaimed early
Including reclaimed materials at the design stage helps with scheduling, documentation, and BREEAM evidence. Request samples early and secure full batches for consistency.
3️⃣ Document and deliver responsibly
Keep supplier provenance and sustainability statements on file for ESG and certification evidence. Our Delivery Information section outlines nationwide logistics and packaging practices designed to minimise waste.
Internal link prompts:
The bigger picture: UK momentum toward circular construction
Circular principles are now embedded in UK policy frameworks and industry roadmaps:
-
UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) promotes circularity as key to achieving Net Zero 2050.
-
RIBA’s Sustainable Outcomes Guide sets embodied-carbon targets aligning with circular principles.
-
The Construction Leadership Council’s Routemap to Zero Carbon (2024) identifies reclaimed materials as essential to reducing lifecycle emissions.
Reclaimed Brick Company and Britannia Stone’s work aligns directly with these national strategies — proof that circularity isn’t an aspiration, but a working model for low-carbon construction.
FAQ: Circular construction in practice
What is the circular economy in construction?
It’s a system that keeps building materials in use for as long as possible through repair, reuse, and recycling — reducing the need for new resources and cutting embodied carbon.
How do reclaimed bricks support circular design?
They eliminate the carbon and energy needed to produce new bricks while preserving heritage character. Each reused brick prevents waste and supports sustainable design standards like BREEAM.
Can reclaimed materials meet modern building standards?
Yes. All reclaimed bricks and stone are inspected, cleaned, and graded to ensure consistent quality and performance for contemporary construction.
Bringing it all together
Circular construction isn’t a passing trend — it’s the foundation of a sustainable built environment. By reusing what already exists, we reduce carbon, protect heritage, and build resilience into our supply chains.
At Reclaimed Brick Company, every brick we reclaim and every pallet we dispatch helps keep valuable materials in circulation. Together with Britannia Stone, we’re proud to play our part in shaping a future where building sustainably means building intelligently.
Each reclaimed brick cleaned by hand at our Sheffield yard is one less new product that needs manufacturing energy.
RBC-B-135
