Light House, an organization focused on advancing circular practices in the built environment,hasannounced the launch of the Building Material Exchange program (BMEx).BMEx was created with an aim to help reduce waste management costs as well as the amount of construction materials that end up in landfills.Through the BMEx program, businesses in and around Nanaimo, Victoria, Cowichan Valley, Duncan and the surrounding islands with excess, unused, or salvaged building and/or design-related materials, are matched with others in need of resources to begin or complete projects.BMEx is for any business in South or Central Vancouver Island that has a surplus of building or design-related materials they dont need, said Gil Yaron, managing director, Circular Innovation, Light House. Their perfect match is out there a local business or organization that is seeking more affordable materials. Through BMEx, were making these connections possible while reducing landfill costs and creating an opportunity for paired businesses to get their hands on high-quality, raw materials for a fraction of virgin material costs.We are excitedfor theconnections thatwill be made andthe positive environmental impact we expectBMExwill have.Materials accepted through theBMEx program include concrete, aggregates, asphalt, metal, wood, glass, carpet, doors, flooring, drywall, and fixtures.The program is free tosign upand participate in and is funded by the Regional District of Nanaimos Zero Waste Recycling Fund, the Capital Regional District, and the Cowichan Valley Regional District.South and Central Vancouver Island businesses that are interested in learning more aboutBMEx or who would like to get involved, are encouraged to attend or participate in BMEx Challenge events in Victoria and Nanaimo next month. Both BMExChallenge events are free to attend and are presented by Coast Capital Savings.Additionally, there will be an opportunity for eight businesses to pitch to an audience of local community members, investors, and innovators about a challenge they are facing related to incorporating circular economic principles into their operations or products.TheBMEx Challenge events will be similar to Dragons Den or Shark Tank, but with a focus on circularity, said Yaron. The audience can offer up possible solutions to unwanted materials, and they are also invited to meet one-on-one with the pitching companies to establish partnerships.At the Nanaimo Challenge, Habitat for Humanity Mid Vancouver Island Executive Director Jeff Krafta will share his idea to establish a physical hub for the receiving and resale of excess and salvaged building materials. The Material Exchange Hub will expand Habitats offerings to include a full range of building materials, including wood, siding, roofing and gutters.This physical hub will also aim to help fill a gap in the exchange community for those who have occasional and inconsistent amounts of materials to offload. At the Challenge, Habitat aims to connect with local contractors interested in using the Exchange Hub as well those interested in donating extra materials from job sites.Later this fall, BMExparticipants will also have access toBMEx Marketplace, an online platform designed to exchange, donate, or acquire excess, unused, or salvaged building and/or design-related materials.TheBMEx Marketplace will include acustominterface for those involved with building materials so they can list materials they have and find what they need fast, said Yaron.The online community will be vetted to ensure confidence in the exchange materials and partners, with detailed product profiles so users have access to more information about materials they are sourcing. A resource hub will also be included that will include educational content like articles, guides, and best practices on sustainable construction, material reuse, and waste reduction tips.To learn moreaboutBMEx, click here.The post New Building Material Exchange program launches on Vancouver Island appeared first on Canadian Architect.