Tower Hamlets Council is joining the ROMULUS scheme 鈥� Reuse Of Materials Using Local Unitary Stakeholders 鈥� promoting the use of reclaimed materials in new build projects and selling materials from council-owned sites such as schools and council buildings, creating a local market place.
The way in which ROMULUS works is similar to popular online auction sites. Organisations such as Tower Hamlets Council sign up to take part in the reuse marketplace, where old - but good quality - materials can be bought or sold. Materials could range from reclaimed bricks to old kitchen units and bathroom suites.
In joining the pilot, the council is seeking to transform the way building materials are sourced, reused and repurposed across the borough, cutting down waste and creating a circular economy, while also reducing carbon emissions.
Cllr Shafi Ahmed, cabinet member for environment and the climate emergency, said: 鈥淛oining the ROMULUS pilot is a bold and necessary step towards a cleaner, greener and more sustainable Tower Hamlets and the council is striving to live the values of reducing, reusing, and recycling materials. This initiative not only helps us build more homes in a cost-effective and sustainable way but also opens up new opportunities for green jobs and community engagement.
鈥淲e are proud to be one of the only councils in London who are trialling this project on our own buildings.
鈥淎nd insofar as acronym names of such schemes go, some will know that in Roman mythology it was a man called Romulus who built Rome, well here鈥檚 hoping this new Romulus can be a huge hit too and help build homes.鈥�
The ROMULUS reuse initiative was founded in the City of London by recycling consultancy Maconda Solutions, which has also pioneered materials passports.
Maconda director James Adams said: 鈥淏y joining the ROMULUS initiative, Tower Hamlets is helping to establish London as the world鈥檚 circular capital. This trial is backed by research partnerships with some of the UK鈥檚 leading universities as well as cutting-edge digital innovations. We鈥檙e proud to see the borough join a practical framework to accelerate circular economy; demonstrating the economic growth and community value that this approach offers.鈥�
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