Storage space is at a premium becoming increasingly scarce, especially as many organisations reimagine and reshape their spaces as they move towards remote or hybrid ways of working.

Yet storing unwanted items, particularly large bulky furniture, and equipment, as they await redistribution can benefit effective and successful reuse projects.

Following on from our discussion about the challenges and issues storage presents and prospective solutions that will enhance reuse and circular economy strategies, we are now considering the creation of regional storage hubs.

Regional storage hubs will allow Warp It members to use shared facilities in their geographical areas.

These hubs will provide a shared, off-site place to store unwanted items as they await reuse keeping your work environment organised and hazard-free. We expect recognised storage hubs will increase reuse rates and deliver economies of scale for the Warp It community.

Above: regional storage hubs will provide a shared, off-site place to store unwanted items.

Join this online event on Wednesday 9 February at 1pm to join this discussion about the creation of regional storage hubs and how you would envisage using this resource to complement your reuse and circular economy strategies.

What are the key considerations?

• Where are the ideal locations for shared regional hubs?
• What kind of space would a shared regional hub require?
• What kind of facilities would be expected?
• How would access and security be implemented and managed?
• Risk and health and safety matters; ensuring all office furniture and other items are stored safely.
• How would the storage of items be managed if policies are not in place or are not clear?
• What other issues or challenges would you anticipate if using a shared storage space?

Areas of improvement within our software may include:

• How can Warp It support tracking and controlling of assets destined for a regional storage hub?
• Can Warp It help with storage, stock, and inventory management?
• How can Warp It support the tracking and controlling of assets when they leave a regional storage hub?
• Assets can be matched using the Warp It wish list and watch list features reducing the need for storage. Can these functions be improved or expanded?
• Sometimes items don’t match or get uploaded to the system late, which heightens the risk of them going to landfill. Can this be avoided?

Join us on Wednesday 9 February at 1pm to join this discussion about the creation of regional storage hubs and how you would envisage using this resource to complement your reuse and circular economy strategies. This event will be valuable for Warp It admins, space managers, decant managers, and anyone interested in storing items as part of reuse plans and activities.