Last week I spotted one of your “little gems of genius” (5 January, page 12) about the online marketplace whatdoidowiththis.com.

The Association of Interior Specialists, which represents companies involved in commercial interior fit-out work, has been wrestling with the problem of what to do with surplus, used and salvaged building materials for some time. The burgeoning problems of waste disposal, coupled with the lack of landfill sites, mean the problem will only get worse.

We contacted whatdoidowiththis.com and have agreed to work with them to promote the site. We are constantly looking for ways for our members to minimise the environmental impact of their actions and this site is an inventive way of helping to achieve this.

Research shows about 15% of products delivered to site are simply thrown away. By using sites like whatdoidowiththis.com, we can minimise this. So, a big thank you to Building for flagging up this innovation – more of the same please.

Simon Forrester, chief executive, Association of Interior Specialists

Topics