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The Materials Exchange
www.materials-exchange.org.uk
The Materials Exchange is a FREE online information
service where businesses can access information about redundant stock, surplus
raw materials and reusable or recyclable waste available from other businesses.
It is based on the principal that one company’s very beneficial waste is
another’s raw material.
The Materials Exchange helps businesses to dispose of surplus materials for
little or no cost and enables others to source cheaper raw materials. It aims to
help businesses save money with the added benefit of reducing the amount of
useful materials going to landfill.
The Materials Exchange was originally set up by Peterborough Environment City
Trust (PECT) in November 2002 with the help of Shanks First Fund and
Peterborough City Council, to support the Business & Environment Management
Scheme. The initial project was well received and with the help of
Cambridgeshire County Council, PECT were able to extend The Materials Exchange
across Cambridgeshire in April 2003. There are currently over 100 members and
nearly 1000 unique users, have visited the website.
What are the benefits of using The Materials Exchange?
The companies that exchange their unwanted materials save money, as they no longer have to dispose of the materials thus avoiding disposal costs and the impact of increasing landfill tax charges
The organisations receiving materials will often acquire materials at a reduced or sometimes zero cost
Materials Exchanges encourage the reuse of materials and help to keep useful resources away from an early grave in landfill or from being reduced to ash in the incinerators
Thanks to generous funding the project received it is FREE to register as a
member and all businesses signing up receive:
A Welcome Pack - Including a username and easy instructions to use the Exchange
A Monthly Newsletter - Updating members about exchanges and news about the site
Already there have been some exchanges. For example one
business had some unwanted wooden pallets which were going into landfill at a
significant cost. A wood manufacturer was contacted via the exchange and the
pallets were made into garden furniture.
In another example on an industrial estate two businesses worked together to
solve a waste and packaging issue. One business had waste paper and another
business wanted to source a packaging material. A link via the exchange was
established and one business began shredding its waste paper and the other used
it as a packaging material. A useful material was kept out of landfill and was
used as a secondary material free of charge.
Office equipment is another area where The Materials Exchange has been able to
prevent waste and save businesses money. Instead of throwing redundant office
equipment away companies can send it to be reconditioned for re-use by community
groups or stripped for useful components.
The potential for The Materials Exchange is endless! The exchange is completely
free to use but you do need to register as a member to make full use of all the
areas of the website. It is available to all businesses no matter how big or
small they are and it is also available to charities, schools and community
groups who think they may be able to benefit. Feel free to visit the website at
If you require any further information you can contact:
Fiona Maddocks – The Materials Exchange Co-ordinator
Tel: 01733 760889 or E-mail: fiona.maddocks@peterborough.gov.uk
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