How the Better Buildings Partnership can help reduce waste and costs from your next workplace refurbishment

About 400,000 square metres of office space in Sydney is refitted every year.

Previously almost 80 per cent of what is stripped out of the space was sent to landfill – that’s 25,000 tonnes of material a year just from Sydney’s CBD; 55,000 tonnes of waste if you include all commercial buildings in Sydney.

Tragically, much of the material is still in good condition and perfect for reuse, rehoming or recycling. With so many people in need, and businesses struggling to stay afloat, this really is shocking.

The Better Buildings Partnership has spent the past few years working with suppliers and contractors to demonstrate a better path.

“Through our work we’ve found people who can assist you with every step, and turn it into a simplified process.

“There’s now a whole bunch of skilled intermediaries servicing Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. And we’re looking for more in Adelaide and Perth.

Available on their website, it includes clauses to incentivise material recovery and a standard report format so that you can measure the outcome.

The good news is that nearly all recovery is cheaper than landfill. Every item reused or rehomed is a disposal cost avoided.

You can derive so many benefits from avoiding wastage and from specifying and using pre-used furniture and materials. If you’re not doing both, it’s time to get with the 80 per cent recovery program.

Check out some of the businesses involved in the Better Buildings Partnership.