8.5
tonnes of materials saved from
the skips
Thanks to our Circular Material Hubs, our consultancy services and our network of incredible creatives and companies, we have managed to save materials from the bins and give them a new creative purpose.
The number is updated every week since October 2022.
2.5k
creatives in our network
Our network is made by talented students, creatives and makers that we match with reclaimed materials they need for their projects. We guide creatives in their choice, supporting them in finding sustainably sourced alternative materials, so that they can design new rather than buy new.
1
Circular Material Hub
We pair up with creative institutions and set up in-house Circular Material Hubs that cut down the amount of produced and discarded waste, while helping creatives save money and resources.
Our current active Circular Material Hub is the Swap Shop at Central Saint Martins.
+40
companies in our network
Our Renée network is growing every day: from companies that provide us with their retail and industrial waste, to reuse and recycling initiatives that actively collaborate with us, to institutions that we support with our collective knowledge around creative reuse.
What do we offer?
We create systems that make companies' waste creatives' treasure. Renée is the bridge between companies, their reusable materials, and creatives. Through our marketplaces and consultancy we:
Support creatives access high-quality, sustainably sourced materials while saving time and costs (more than 50%)
Help companies reduce their waste, save up to 90% on disposal costs and improve their ESG performance
Help London get closer to becoming a creative circular city, without wasted resources
How do we do it?
We tackle waste by working closely with institutions, their legacy waste streams and human systems, whilst building resilient frameworks and networks that foster in-house circularity.
Renée's Digital Material Hub
All creatives, makers and designers in London will be soon able to access our digital material hub. High quality reclaimed materials from the industry, ready to be purchased and reused for creative purposes.
Circular Material Hubs
Our Circular Material Hubs are spaces for creative reuse. Creatives are able to get and bring back reclaimed materials, whilst designing with unconventional materials and shifting their perception around waste.
Whether you're a creative institution, a company, a creative or a craftsmarket, our hubs are the ideal solution for your practice and projects.
Why do we do it?
We live on a planet with finite resources, and too many studies have already proven that we can not continue to exploit and extract the few resources that are left. We need to radically change the way we source and dispose of materials. Therefore, we need to rethink the way we produce and design.
>28%
is how much companies and businesses account for London’s waste. More than 60% of the materials that are thrown away are reusable. We want to help London’s companies rethink the way they produce and dispose of materials.
200-400£
is how much UK arts and design students spend on materials, on average, for each project. With the cost of living crisis and the increasing number of creatives in London, we need to support them in finding sustainable affordable alternatives.
18 million
metric tonnes of waste is how much London produces every year, with less than 30% being recycled. If we want to meet London’s 2026 environmental targets, we need to adopt circular behaviors. Now.
Behind Renée Materials
Behind Renée there are Frieda and Vassi: two waste-warriors and planet lovers that believe in making a difference through and with creativity.
Joined by David, Angus, Reign and the whole Swap Shop team we truly believe we can turn waste into valuable resources and make a difference today rather than tomorrow.
We're a group of creatives with a strong feeling of belonging to our earth as positive actors. We believe that design can help in our fight for the well-being of our planet.
This is one of the reasons why Renée is so important to us: we want all makers, all artists, all creatives to be able to make a change in their own way, with their unique projects, but with resources that don’t weigh on our planet.
Our mission
Our mission is a world without wasted resources.
We live on a planet with finite resources, and too many studies have already proven that we can not continue to exploit and extract the few resources that are left. We need to radically change the way we source and dispose of materials.
We believe that implementing and fostering circular creative practices, while radically changing the way we design will help us getting closer and closer to building a world without any wasted resources.
Are you a company?
Join us in our fight against wasted resources! Offer your offcuts, unneeded materials, damaged goods or leftovers to our creative network.
Are you a creative or maker?
Get sustainably sourced, high-quality materials at a low price. Sign up with us, join our creative network of creative practitioners and get ready to reuse!
Contact us!
For enquiries, collaborations or information, get in touch with our team!
Phone
+44 7769 052784
