From demolition to donation: how Salter Demolition’s gifts lay a foundation for change across communities

A Good Thing is an online platform that allows businesses to give things away to their local charities. Less to landfill, more to a good cause! The case study below is an example of the wonderful impact that can be made through these matches.

When a building comes down, it doesn’t have to mean the end of a story; sometimes, it’s the beginning of several new ones.

Through A Good Thing, Salter Demolition, a London-based building firm with a passion for sustainability, recently gave a second life to materials from one of its projects. What could easily have been discarded instead became a source of support for charities making a real difference in their communities.

This particular match involved bike racks and ceiling lights, both of which found new homes where they could continue to bring value and purpose.

Sustainability at the heart of Salter Demolition
For Salter Demolition, reuse isn’t an afterthought. It’s a core part of how the firm operates.

Ilŷd Thomas explained:

“When we gain possession of any project site, we carry out a material audit to identify items that are suitable for reuse. We discuss with our client and then venture down our re-use pathways, the first of which is charitable donation.”

The company’s collaboration with A Good Thing has made it easier to build on this ethos, connecting it directly with charities in need.

Ilŷd told us:

“It’s really lovely knowing these pre-loved items can make such a difference to people. It’s special being able to connect with so many amazing charities and hear how the donations will impact them.”

By choosing to give through A Good Thing, Salter Demolition avoided unnecessary waste while supporting local communities: its sustainability commitments in action.

A secure space and a fresh start at Emmaus St Albans
One of the charities to benefit from Salter’s donation was Emmaus St Albans, a community supporting people who have experienced homelessness.

Home to 39 residents, known as ‘companions’, Emmaus offers more than just shelter. It provides purpose, skills and a pathway to independence.

Each companion is given a bike when they join the community, allowing them to travel freely and enjoy exercise during their downtime: the bike racks donated by Salter Demolition came at just the right time, as the team at Emmaus was planning to refurbish the bike shed.

Gemma Beckett from Emmaus St Albans told us:

“These will make a huge difference to the space, keeping the companions’ bikes safe and secure. It’s such a brilliant way to source things we likely would never be able to afford to buy, while keeping things out of landfill.”

What could have been scrap metal will now support the daily lives of 39 people, helping them stay active, safe and on the move towards brighter futures.

Lighting up spaces at Response Community Projects
Meanwhile, the six grey ceiling lights donated by Salter Demolition went to Response Community Projects in west London.

The lights have been used to enhance the charity’s reception area, creating a welcoming space where members of the local community come for support, learning and connection.

For Response, small changes like this can have a big impact. A brighter, more inviting entrance means a better experience for everyone who walks through the charity’s doors.

Turning waste into worth
This donation is a powerful example of how A Good Thing bridges the gap between sustainability and social impact.

By connecting businesses like Salter Demolition with charities such as Emmaus St Albans and Response Community Projects, resources that might have gone to waste are instead creating lasting community value.

What began as leftover fixtures from a building site are now lighting up spaces, supporting communities and giving second chances, all proving that repurposing really can be A Good Thing.