The construction industry generates more than 600 million tons of waste in the United States each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Among this are millions of material samples that are routinely sent to landfills.
Swatchbox, the premier sample fulfillment service for building product manufacturers, has launched a new program aimed at reducing this waste. Called Second Life Samples™, the initiative offers a fully circular sampling process for the AEC industry, allowing firms to return unneeded materials for reuse, recycling, or educational purposes.
The program builds on the company's existing sample return service by expanding eligibility to include complete, undamaged samples from any source. Each returned item is evaluated by an AI-based visual engine that identifies key information such as product line, brand, and SKU. Approved samples are then relisted on the platform for architects and designers to reorder.
Second Life Samples was developed through a private beta involving design firms in the US and UK with Swatchbox reporting that more than 90 percent of materials collected thus far have been suitable for reuse. The company has also found that a single collection day can reduce a firm's carbon footprint by an average of 220 kilograms.
Firms can now schedule a sample pickup directly through Swatchbox without needing to sort or separate materials. Listings marked as Second Life Samples are also available to browse and order online, giving designers a more sustainable sourcing option.
Swatchbox Introduces Second Life Samples™ Program to Combat Construction Waste
The construction industry generates more than 600 million tons of waste in the United States each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Among this are millions of material samples that are routinely sent to landfills.
Swatchbox, the premier sample fulfillment service for building product manufacturers, has launched a new program aimed at reducing this waste. Called Second Life Samples™, the initiative offers a fully circular sampling process for the AEC industry, allowing firms to return unneeded materials for reuse, recycling, or educational purposes.
The program builds on the company's existing sample return service by expanding eligibility to include complete, undamaged samples from any source. Each returned item is evaluated by an AI-based visual engine that identifies key information such as product line, brand, and SKU. Approved samples are then relisted on the platform for architects and designers to reorder.
Second Life Samples was developed through a private beta involving design firms in the US and UK with Swatchbox reporting that more than 90 percent of materials collected thus far have been suitable for reuse. The company has also found that a single collection day can reduce a firm's carbon footprint by an average of 220 kilograms.
Firms can now schedule a sample pickup directly through Swatchbox without needing to sort or separate materials. Listings marked as Second Life Samples are also available to browse and order online, giving designers a more sustainable sourcing option.
You can learn more on secondlife.swatchbox.com.
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