Sustainability in construction isn’t just about ticking boxes — it’s about making better decisions at every stage of a project. At Reclaimed Brick Company, we believe the smartest materials are the ones that already exist.
Reclaimed bricks offer more than just character. They help lower embodied carbon, reduce landfill waste, and support circular economy principles — all while maintaining the strength and performance needed for modern and heritage builds alike.
Whether you're designing a low-impact home or restoring a listed property, reclaimed materials give you the opportunity to build greener, without compromise. On this page, you’ll find out how our products contribute to a more sustainable built environment — and how you can do the same.
Reclaimed bricks are one of the most proven, practical ways to reduce environmental impact in construction. Unlike newly manufactured bricks, they don’t require clay extraction, kiln firing, or long-distance transport — all of which carry a significant carbon cost. Instead, they’re salvaged from existing buildings, cleaned by hand, and repurposed for a new generation of projects.
Every brick reused helps lower embodied carbon, supports circular construction, and diverts high-quality materials from landfill. The result? Reduced waste, lower emissions, and a more resource-efficient way to build — without compromising on character or performance.
Whether you're specifying for a certified low-carbon build or simply aiming to make smarter material choices, reclaimed bricks offer a measurable contribution to more sustainable construction.
Every reclaimed brick we save from landfill has a ripple effect — reducing the demand for new materials, cutting emissions, and preserving valuable resources. In 2024 alone, our efforts contributed to:
Independent analysis shows reclaimed bricks typically reduce embodied carbon by around 85% — and in optimal reuse scenarios, that figure can reach up to 95% depending on transport, processing, and material lifecycle factors.
These savings don’t just represent numbers — they reflect a real shift toward more responsible construction practices. They support greener homebuilding and help commercial projects meet environmental assessment criteria such as BREEAM and LEED.
If you’d like to explore how reclaimed bricks support sustainability targets in practice, check out these detailed articles:
Discover how reclaimed bricks can support key BREEAM categories like MAT01 and WST01, helping your project meet sustainable building standards and reduce environmental impact at scale.
Explore how reclaimed Yorkstone and granite support BREEAM targets, offering low-carbon, responsibly sourced alternatives for landscaping, conservation, and public realm schemes.
Using reclaimed materials aligns with strong ESG outcomes — from carbon reduction to heritage preservation. This blog shows how reclaimed bricks contribute to environmental and social value in construction.
In today’s built environment, meeting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria isn’t just aspirational; it’s becoming a non-negotiable requirement for developers, specifiers, and investors.
From reduced embodied carbon to landfill diversion, this post outlines the full environmental case for choosing reclaimed bricks over new — for homes, extensions, and commercial builds.
Reclaimed stone isn’t just beautiful — it’s a smarter, greener choice. Learn how it supports sustainable landscaping and low-impact architectural design.
Understand the carbon impact of reclaimed bricks — including how they compare to new materials and contribute to low-carbon construction.
Reducing embodied carbon is vital in modern construction. Find out how reclaimed materials can help meet carbon targets without compromising quality or performance.
Reclaimed bricks significantly reduce the embodied carbon of your project by eliminating the need for clay extraction, kiln firing, and long-distance transport.
From walling to paving, reclaimed stone preserves natural resources while lowering your project's environmental footprint through embodied carbon savings.
Reclaimed bricks do more than just reduce waste — they help modern construction projects meet ambitious sustainability goals.
Whether you're working towards BREEAM certification in the UK or following international frameworks like LEED, using reclaimed materials can contribute towards multiple assessment credits. This includes areas like:
Because our bricks are salvaged, cleaned, and reused — without the need for new clay extraction or kiln firing — they offer a low-carbon, circular alternative to new-build products. Many specifiers use our documentation to support their evidence packs during planning or post-construction review.
Want the full picture?
📖 Read: How Reclaimed Bricks Help Achieve BREEAM Certification
📖 Read: How Reclaimed Materials Reduce Embodied Carbon in Construction
Need help choosing the right stock for your sustainable project? Contact us
The reclaimed bricks we supply are already being used to support sustainable building certifications across the UK and beyond. Here’s how we align with three of the most important frameworks in the industry:
Supports MAT01, WST01, and MAN02 — including materials reuse, lifecycle impact, and responsible construction practices.
Read More... How Reclaimed Bricks Help Achieve BREEAM Certification
Contributes to LEED v4 credits for lifecycle impact reduction and reduced embodied carbon in building design.
Read More... How Reclaimed Materials Reduce Embodied Carbon in Construction
Promotes best practice in sustainable design through reuse, circularity, and low-impact material sourcing.
Read More... Visit UKGBC
Circular construction is about more than just recycling — it’s about designing, building, and sourcing in a way that keeps materials in use for as long as possible. Reclaimed bricks are an ideal example of this principle in action.
Rather than extracting new clay or producing energy-intensive new stock, we recover high-quality bricks from buildings that have reached the end of their lifecycle. After being carefully cleaned, sorted, and quality-checked, these bricks go straight back into circulation — ready to be reused in a wide range of construction projects.
By reintroducing existing materials into new builds and renovations, we help reduce waste, preserve natural resources, and significantly lower the environmental cost of construction. Whether you're restoring a heritage property or designing a low-carbon home, reclaimed bricks support a circular economy — where nothing is wasted and every material has a second life.
Bricks sourced and salvaged during demolition and reclamation processing.
Once demolished, the bricks are carefully cleaned and prepared by hand.
The bricks are utilised on new building projects across the UK.
Reclaimed materials with proven environmental benefits.
At Reclaimed Brick Company, every product we stock has been carefully sourced, cleaned, and repurposed to meet the needs of modern construction — without the carbon cost of manufacturing new materials.
Whether you're after rustic character for a garden path or precision-cut slips for interior walls, our reclaimed product range supports circular construction and low-impact building methods.
See How Others Are Building Greener
Real-world projects are the best way to understand the potential of reclaimed bricks. Whether it’s a full-scale driveway restoration or a custom outdoor kitchen, these case studies show how sustainability and style go hand in hand.
Explore how our customers have used reclaimed materials to create long-lasting, character-filled spaces — while reducing their environmental footprint
M&S Eco Store, an example of how Reclaimed Bricks & other recycled building materials can reduce the total carbon impact in construction projects.
Reclaimed Brick Front Garden Wall in Truro Driveway Retaining Wall Project Using Reclaimed Handmade Bricks in Cornwall.
Reclaimed Bricks were used to renovate and extend this countryside residence, transforming it into a beautiful family home with additional outdoor seating areas and double garage whilst retaining the character of the original building.
Reclaimed Brick Company,
Clifton Works, Hillfoot Road
Sheffield, S3 8AA
Email: info@reclaimedbrickcompany.co.uk
Telephone: 0114 206 1113
Whatsapp: 07435516667
Opening Times:
Mon - Fri, 8:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday, 8:00am - 1:00pm
Sunday, Closed
We are committed to providing the highest quality reclaimed bricks and natural stone materials. Each product is carefully sourced from across the UK, ensuring that it maintains its original charm and structural integrity. Our team takes great pride in meticulously inspecting and preparing materials, ensuring they meet our rigorous standards. By focusing on both heritage and durability, we offer building materials that combine historical significance with modern functionality, making them ideal for restoration and conservation projects.
Our values revolve around sustainability, quality, and heritage. We are committed to sourcing and reclaiming authentic bricks and natural stone, preserving their unique character and historical significance. Our dedication to environmental responsibility drives our efforts to reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote the reuse of building materials. We believe in providing exceptional service, ensuring that our customers receive not only high-quality reclaimed materials but also expert guidance for their restoration and construction projects.
Reclaimed bricks offer significant environmental benefits by reducing the demand for new materials, conserving natural resources, and minimising construction waste. By reusing old bricks, less energy is required for manufacturing and transportation, leading to a reduction in carbon emissions. Additionally, reclaimed bricks often have a longer lifespan due to their proven durability, contributing to more sustainable, long-lasting structures. Opting for reclaimed materials also supports the preservation of historical building aesthetics while lowering the environmental impact of construction projects.
Yes. Reclaimed bricks are commonly used in both traditional and contemporary projects. As long as they're sourced from a reputable supplier and match the structural needs of your project, they can meet UK building standards and local planning requirements
In many heritage or conservation areas, planners actively prefer reclaimed bricks because they preserve the architectural character of the area. Using sympathetic materials often strengthens your case for approval.
Absolutely. Reclaimed bricks support multiple BREEAM credits — including MAT01 (Life Cycle Impact), WST01 (Construction Waste Management), and MAN02 (Responsible Construction Practices) — by reducing embodied carbon and diverting materials from landfill.
Yes. We can provide estimated embodied carbon reductions, reuse volumes, and other sustainability metrics to support planning applications or environmental assessment documentation. Just get in touch.
In most cases, standard building practices are fine — but using lime mortar is often recommended, especially for traditional or listed buildings. It’s more flexible and breathable than modern cement-based mortar.
Not necessarily. While some reclaimed bricks are premium due to rarity or age, others are competitively priced — especially when you factor in the environmental benefits and potential planning advantages.
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