When 7 District Councils merged into one Unitary Authority, Northumberland County Council faced an enormous challenge: consolidating offices, staff, and equipment across a vast rural county. Implemented in February 2012, Warp-It provided the platform to redistribute surplus furniture and equipment rather than purchasing new items for consolidated offices.
The council partnered with a local social enterprise for logistics, creating both environmental and social value. This partnership ensured surplus items could be physically moved between the council’s dispersed locations across Northumberland while supporting local employment.
The platform proved “easily applicable to other organisations,” enabling Northumberland to share their approach as a model for other councils undergoing similar restructures.
“As an environmentally-conscious organisation, we are always looking for innovative methods.”
Steve Stewart, Chief Executive, Northumberland County Council
“The Warp it portal is easy to use and easily applicable to other organisations.”
Lee Jackson, Northumberland County Council
The impact was dramatic: furniture spend dropped 64%, from £97,000 to just £35,000, saving £68,000 in the first four months alone. The programme won both a SOPO (Society of Procurement Officers) award and a Government Opportunity Excellence award.
By partnering with a local social enterprise for logistics, the council demonstrated how reuse programmes can deliver social value alongside financial and environmental benefits.
Start saving money and reducing waste with Warp-It.
