What Happens to Building Waste in Interior Design?

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of joining the Sustainability Stage at Decorex, one of the UK’s leading interior design trade fairs, to speak on a panel about how we, as an industry, can begin to reduce waste in the design sector. The panel, hosted by Haines Collection, brought together a brilliant mix of perspectives from across the design and manufacturing world - including voices from Fermoie, Rehome, Rehaus, and @margent_farm. It was a real honour to be included.

Discussing Sustainability and Waste in Interior Design

When we talk about sustainability in interior design, the conversation often (understandably) turns to fabrics, finishes, and furniture. But there’s an equally - if not more - urgent issue that lies further upstream: construction waste. I spoke about the role we play, as interior designers and architects, in the waste generated on our building sites. Because here’s the truth:

Just because we subcontract the skip, doesn’t mean we’re not responsible for what goes into it.

It’s easy to focus on the beautiful, finished space and much harder to look at the piles of timber offcuts, tile boxes, broken bricks and packaging that are thrown away as part of the build. But we must. If we want to be part of a more sustainable future for our industry, we have to face the waste.

Questions Designers Should Be Asking Contractors

One of the most effective things we can do is simply start asking better questions on site. Not aggressively, but with curiosity and intention.

Some of the questions I shared at Decorex include:

• Are you segregating building waste on site (e.g., timber, metal, plasterboard)?

• Are you working with a reputable waste management company?

• Can any unused or excess materials be diverted elsewhere or donated?

• What happens to the skip contents once they leave the site?

  
  

These small conversations can spark big change.For example, if a contractor segregates waste properly, it reduces cross-contamination - meaning materials can be recycled at a rate of up to 80%, compared to the standard 50%.

And by working with skip companies like @powerdayplc, who are committed to high recycling standards, we can ensure more of our waste is diverted from landfill and incineration.

Waste Isn’t a Pretty Sight, But It’s Part of the Job

Renovation isn’t glamorous behind the scenes. But as designers, we don’t get to opt out of the messy parts. Not if we want to take real responsibility for our impact. If we care about the materials we specify, we also need to care about where they end up.

And while the statistics on construction waste are shocking (with the industry accounting for over 60% of the UK’s total waste), there is real positive work being done in this space - by contractors, waste companies, reuse platforms, and designers alike.

We just need to stay engaged.

Thank You to Haines Collection & the Panel

Huge thanks to @haines_collection for inviting me to be part of this important series of sustainability talks at Decorex. It was a brilliant opportunity to connect with other like-minded brands and studios - all trying, in different ways, to reduce our industry’s environmental footprint.

The design world has an outsized influence - so it’s encouraging to see more and more of us stepping up, speaking out, and sharing practical ideas to do better.

Want to Design More Sustainably? Let’s Talk.

If you're planning a renovation and want to ensure your project is not only beautiful but also thoughtfully executed, we'd love to support you. At Kinder Design, we’re passionate about reusing materials, working with eco-conscious trades, and keeping waste to a minimum - without compromising on style.