Re-used materials idea wins CLC Dragons’ Den prize

A system to allow the re-use of surplus building materials by DIYers won  a Dragons’ Den competition, launched by the Construction Leadership council and BEIS, sponsored by the Builders Merchants Federation, targeted at young professionals in the industry, to accelerate the sector’s drive to net zero.

The panel, chaired by Andrew Griffith MP, the UK’s Net Zero Business Champion and consisting of Andy Mitchell (CEO, Thames Tideway and Co-Chair of the CLC), John Newcomb (CEO, BMF), Chris Goodier (Loughborough University) and Adam Cane (ACO Water Management) met last month in the Construct Zero Den to interview the final four finalists from a competition that attracted twelve exceptional entries.

The winner, Peter Morgan of the Manufacturing Technology Centre, pitched to the Dragons the idea of an online and physical presence for surplus and left-over building materials for the DIYer to utilise for a small charge. The panel agreed this could be set up with minimal delay and trialled regionally.

Andrew Griffiths MP said: “It is heartening to see young people in construction helping the UK reach its Net Zero target with their practical ideas. Peter’s idea would help reduce the approximate 60 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste a year”

Morgan said: “ As a keen DIYer I’m often looking for way to source surplus materials to reduce waste and project costs. Whilst working with the Construction Innovation Hub I felt there was an opportunity to do this at scale if we work together across the industry. I’m really excited to be able to work with the CLC to make the idea a reality as a result of this dragon’s den competition. “

Newcomb said: “In the battle against climate change the best solutions are also the easiest to implement. Peter presented a simple yet creative solution to reduce a significant amount of waste in the supply chain and I am delighted that this will now be shared with the wider industry.”

Morgan will receive:

• support from a CLC member to develop and implement their proposal into the sector;
• a cash-prize of £1,000, kindly donated by the BMF; and,
• a 12-month mentoring arrangement with a CLC Business Leader.