An ambitious circular construction hub has been launched in London’s Royal Docks.
The new hub – believed to be the first in the UK – will ensure construction waste is recycled and reused rather than going to landfill, keeping products and materials in circulation.
The launch of the hub is the first phase of a wider Circular Economy Village that will be established over the coming years in the London Borough of Newham.
The hub is being delivered in collaboration with charity Tipping Point East and Newham Council, with support from London mayor Sadiq Khan and the mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz.
Hosted on Greater London Authority land, the hub also aims to support the sustainable delivery of thousands of new homes in the Royal Docks. This includes the Lendlease-led Silvertown development, supported by the Crown Estate and Newham Council, now approved for 7,000 new homes.
By enabling large-scale material reuse and capturing resources from construction and demolition that typically go to waste, the hub will help to reduce the embodied carbon in new developments. It is estimated that at least 950 tonnes of materials will be diverted from landfill over five years.
The hub also aims to support the mayor of London’s ambition for the capital to be zero-carbon by 2030.
A ‘just’ transition
Commenting on the launch, Khan said: “London is leading the way in the green transition of the construction sector, and this new hub is part of a wider plan to create a Circular Economy Village in the area – with the hub set to become the largest in Europe when fully activated.
“We are not only cutting carbon emissions, but are also creating new jobs and homes for Londoners as we build a greener and fairer city for everyone.”
Fiaz added: “By transforming how we build, we aren’t just reducing waste, we are also pioneering our ‘just transition’ impact through the creation of green jobs and delivery of high-quality, sustainable homes our residents deserve and can afford.
“In partnership with the mayor of London and Tipping Point East, we are proving that world-class innovation is happening in Newham and is being driven by a council that is safeguarding the earth.
“Newham is showing that we can embed inclusive growth with the foundation of a fairer, greener economy, with opportunities for all and without costing the earth.”
