What's happened
Yes Make and partners have opened Tipping Point East, a 20,000 sq m hub in Newham for reusing demolition and refurbishment materials. It aims to cut waste and provide affordable timber and cultural objects, creating a regenerative supply chain for the city.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- The project responds to the UK’s construction waste burden (roughly 62% of national waste from construction) by reusing materials rather than sending them to landfill.
- It builds a local, regenerative supply chain that can lower costs for community builds and cultural institutions.
- By certifying materials, TPE attempts to reassure buyers about safety and reliability of reused components.
- The initiative positions Yes Make within a broader movement toward circular economies in urban redevelopment.
- Potential impact includes increased demand for salvaged materials and pressure on traditional demolition and procurement practices.
How we got here
Yes Make, Resolve Collective and Material Cultures have launched Tipping Point East (TPE) on a 20,000 sq m site in Newham to promote circular construction. The hub certifies used materials and donates or sells them to community builds, sometimes at 10% of commercial price, to reduce waste and support local projects.
Our analysis
The Guardian reports on Joel de Mowbray and Yes Make; Yes Make and Resolve Collective launch Tipping Point East to promote circular construction in Newham, aiming to turn waste into usable materials for community projects.
Go deeper
- Will TPE influence other boroughs to replicate the model?
- How will safety and certification be maintained as demand grows?
- What kinds of projects could benefit most from reclaimed materials?