Introduction by: Clare Wood

Welcome to From Waste to Resource: Circular Economies for Construction Spoil Clay.

This one-day conference took place on 2 October, as part of the 2025 British Ceramics Biennial. It explores the reimagining of construction spoil clay – from an overlooked waste material to a valuable resource.

BCB commissioned this research initiative to situate spoil clay within urgent conversations about material reuse in the face of ecological crisis. Through presentations and panel discussions, we’ll explore how art, design, science and industry can come together to shape new possibilities.

From the perspectives of artists, scientists and industry professionals, uncover how reusing spoil clay can open new pathways for sustainable and circular practice. Hear about real-world examples of both small-scale reuse projects and large infrastructure contracts. Throughout the day, there was space to share knowledge, challenge assumptions and imagine alternative futures. Learn how you can reframe and reuse waste as a catalyst for innovation.

Full conference schedule:

From Waste to Resource: Research Overview, Claire Baily

Exploring our Material Future, Caroline Till

Beneath Our Feet: Exploring the Value of Soil, John Quinton

Networks of Re-use Panel, Sara Howard, Freya Bruce, Victor Pedrosa, Chaired by Sarah King

Circularity in Practice: Design, Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad, Rafael El Baz

Circularity in Practice: Architecture Panel, Rowland Keable, Emaad Damda, Ben Bosence, Chaired by Joe Jack Williams

Excavation Waste London Clay Utilisation in Concrete Applications (Ex-Clay), Apostolos Tsoumelekas

Innovation: BC Materials, Belgium, Ken de Cooman

Playscape and Closing Remarks, Sarah Fraser, Claire Baily

Support

From Waste to Resource: Circular Economies for Construction Spoil Clay is part of a 19-month research initiative led by British Ceramics Biennial and undertaken by BCB Clay Researcher Claire Baily. The research was delivered in partnership with Louise Trodden (HS2 Arts & Culture Team).

Thank you to all the speakers, contributors, volunteers and attendees who generously supported and shared their knowledge, expertise and insights. The conference was recorded and edited by Copperbeach.