Material Specification for Reclaimed & Recycled Materials
REFEA supports architects, developers, and contractors across East Anglia with structural designs that reduce carbon, material waste, and long-term impact.
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REFEA is a joint initiative by JMS Engineers and GC Robertson, promoting sustainability through smarter reuse and practical design in structural and civil engineering across Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex and the wider East Anglia region.
Building Better with What Already Exists
At the Reuse Engineering Forum East Anglia (REFEA), our civil and structural engineers support design teams, developers, and contractors in specifying reclaimed and recycled materials with confidence. We provide the technical guidance needed to assess, verify, and integrate reused materials into safe and sustainable construction projects across East Anglia.
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Clear, Engineering-Led Material Specifications
Our team provides detailed assessments and specification guidance for integrating reclaimed steel, timber, masonry, and other components into new and retrofit projects. Each material is evaluated for its structural performance, suitability, and compliance with UK standards, enabling informed reuse decisions from concept to construction.
Reduce Waste. Cut Carbon. Stay Compliant.
Material reuse plays a critical role in reducing embodied carbon and construction waste. By using our specification service, clients can:
Demonstrate commitment to circular economy principle
Ensure structural safety with reused elements
Meet planning and regulatory requirements with clarity
Minimise costs through strategic sourcing and design integration
Who We Support
REFEA works closely with design teams, developers, contractors, local authorities, and sustainability consultants to help integrate reclaimed and recycled materials into construction projects. Whether you're navigating planning requirements or seeking to reduce embodied carbon, our engineers provide the technical support needed to deliver safe, compliant, and sustainable outcomes.
We assess the viability of retaining or repurposing existing structural elements, helping reduce demolition waste and embodied carbon.
We design integrated SuDS strategies that manage surface water naturally, reduce flood risk, and support biodiversity.
Our engineers design structures using low-carbon materials, optimised steel/concrete usage, and efficient detailing to minimise environmental impact.
We provide structural and civil input into retrofit schemes - ensuring existing assets can be adapted and extended rather than replaced.
We work alongside design teams to evaluate carbon impacts across the project lifecycle and propose meaningful reductions at the design stage.
Sustainable Design Services
Our civil and structural engineering services support low-carbon construction, resource efficiency, and long-term resilience.
Focus Areas
REFEA’s work is guided by six core principles that drive sustainable structural and civil engineering - turning practical design decisions into low-carbon outcomes across East Anglia.
Reuse First
Prioritising existing structures and materials to reduce waste and embodied carbon.
Early Design Collaboration
Involving engineers early to embed sustainability from concept to construction.
Low-Carbon Materials
Specifying materials with lower embodied carbon and designing for material efficiency.
Circular Design Thinking
Designing for adaptability, longevity, and future reuse from the outset.
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Integrated Drainage Solutions
Embedding SuDS into civil engineering for sustainable, climate-resilient developments.
Practical Sustainability
Delivering buildable, cost-conscious solutions that meet real environmental targets.
Sustainable
structures
east anglia
As structural engineers, we have a unique opportunity to influence how the built environment responds to the climate crisis. Reuse isn't just about saving materials - it's about rethinking value, preserving what works, and designing with long-term resilience in mind. Through REFEA, we hope to make reuse a more practical and achievable option on projects across East Anglia by sharing knowledge, highlighting viable approaches, and supporting early-stage design decisions.
Mark Weston
Structural Engineer, JMS Engineers
Knowledge is key to sustainable change. Explore our latest insights and technical resources:
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Path to a Low-Carbon Built Environment
The built environment contributes nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, much of it through construction and materials. In East Anglia, reducing embodied carbon is critical to meeting sustainability goals. By reusing structures, designing efficiently, and integrating low-impact civil solutions, we can reshape how the region builds - and lead the way towards a net zero future.