Impact

Together we are turning surplus into shared value by reducing waste, supporting equity, and strengthening resilience across museums and heritage.

CREDIT: KILMARTIN MUSEUM

Our Vision for Impact

The AHI Exchange exists to change how resources are valued and used across the heritage sector. By reducing waste, cutting the carbon impact of exhibition making, and improving access to materials for organisations with fewer funds, it helps make reuse a practical, everyday choice. Giving unused materials a second life doesn’t just reduce environmental impact, it enables projects, voices, and interpretations to exist that might otherwise never be realised.

65%

of museums are seeing increased expenditure

2030

is the legally binding UK target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 68% from 1990 levels

61%

of museums are planning service cuts (MA Survey 2024/25)

1,000 kg

sending one tonne of residual waste to a landfill resilts in about of 432.7kg CO2e

3 in 5

small, independent UK museums fear closure

“We think an exchange scheme would be a great idea. We are always looking to be more sustainable, recycling and reusing items but if we could offer any unwanted items that would be great.”

Victoria Davies Northampton Museum and Art Gallery

“We have been working with the Welsh government on a collections store project and [this] would be a great fit to help reduce waste and encourage collaboration.”

Ruth McKew Headland Design Associates

“A way to reduce waste, save essential funds, and increase accessibility through the sharing of resources would be very welcome.”

Emily Lanigan-Polatai Chester Cathedral