Sell your unwanted building materials and help the environment

Western Sydney builder Neil Turrell has created an online marketplace that is changing the way in which Australians purchase, sell and dispose of unwanted building products. The BuildBITS app and online market allows tradespeople, renovators, homeowners and businesses to sell excess building products that would typically be thrown in skip bins and contribute to landfill.

Turrell and his wife were tired of seeing re-usable building materials taken off to the tip to the detriment of the environment and clients, who often had to pay hefty disposal fees. He said that many people, especially those outside the building industry, “would likely be shocked by the number of high-quality building products that go to waste from homes, businesses, construction sites and supplier yards - as well as by the expenses associated with disposal processes”.

“BuildBITS aims to mitigate these inefficiencies by providing Australians with a dedicated service to acquire building materials at low prices or for free, and to monetise leftover items for extra cash - providing a more cost-effective and eco-friendly disposal option,” he said.

Since launching in October 2012, BuildBITS membership numbers have risen by more than 300% and website traffic has increased by 670%, with average monthly visits now topping 50,000. Turrell said, “Corporate support has been a key driver behind the success of BuildBITS so far.” The company has attracted several brands as partners and sponsors, including Century 21, The Housing Industry Association (HIA) and Bendigo Bank.

Support has also come from several local councils, including Hume City Council, Yarra City Council and Warringah Council. Turrell noted, “Local councils are in a unique position to circulate information and promote services that stand to benefit their communities and environments at a micro level.

“By encouraging people to use the service, councils may be able to substantially reduce the amount of waste picked up on scheduled clean-up days,” he added.

To maximise the recycling and conservation benefits of the service, Turrell is hoping to partner with government and environmental organisations, stating, “We are looking to actively build partnerships with governments at all levels, whether this means through cross-promoting our services on different websites or distributing information through our respective networks.”

BuildBITS can be accessed via www.buildbits.com.au or downloaded as an app for Android or iPhone. Once the app is downloaded, the user takes a picture of the surplus products, enters a short description and a desired price, and the product instantly appears for sale in the BuildBITS online marketplace. There are no commissions or fees for sellers and buyers on BuildBITS, and all partners of the service receive official recognition and cross-linking opportunities on the BuildBITS website.

The goal of the project, said Turrell, “is to expand the marketplace to a point where it makes a noticeable difference to waste reduction and recycling in Australia, and where building projects, for example, can be built mainly from BuildBITS excess materials”.