Strategies for salvaging and repurposing timber elements from existing buildings in the UK

Abstract

The reuse of construction materials and the elimination of construction and demolition waste is at the core of the circular economy in the construction sector. Timber is one of the most promising sustainable construction materials; however, there is no regulation, guidance or route within current business models to promote its circularity or certify that the recovered wood material is fit for a new life. This research investigates strategies for salvaging and repurposing timber elements from existing buildings, by reusing or upcycling timber into engineered wood products - referred to as mass secondary timber (MST). Through systematic interviews of key stakeholders of the timber construction supply chain in the UK, including contractors for construction and demolition, this research identifies barriers and opportunities for salvaging structural timber and for repurposing reclaimed timber. The findings show that whilst deconstruction requires a different skillset from that of demolition, there are virtually no technical barriers for salvaging wood. The challenges are related to the time and logistics needed for careful deconstruction, the reconditioning of the reclaimed wood and the lack of an established supply chain that enables its reuse. Strategies for reclamation and repurposing are proposed in view of the processes that could be implemented now to pave the way for the development of a circular value chain for timber construction.