In the sea of plastics, stones, and metals, wood still remains one of the beloved fit-out and construction materials in the UK and around the world. It is understandable as it’s classic, timeless, and durable. Some studies also show that wood can provide health benefits, such as reducing stress or improving the quality of air.
If you’re a contractor or a builder, though, you’ll find out that you’ll have more wood than you need for your project. The same goes after a demolition. What will you do with it then? It’s time to be more environment-conscious and earn more money by using the remaining types of wood for your recycled projects. To help you decide, read on.
What’s the market for recycled wood?
The market for recycled wood or reclaimed lumber is huge. According to Market Research Report, it could achieve a compound annual growth rate of 4.6% between 2019 and 2025. In 2017, it already earned a global market value of $11.2 billion.
The UK also has a significant gap between its wood waste export and import. In 2018, the data from the Wood Recyclers’ Association (WRA) showed that the country exported only 300,000 tonnes of the material in 2017. It was half of what it sent to other nations in 2016. If the trend continues, it’s possible that the UK will become an importer by 2020.
What are the best ways to recycle wood?
Furniture has one of the biggest demands for recycled wood as more companies try to embrace green. A perfect example is Ikea, a Swedish furniture business that’s about to use 100% recycled materials for its products by 2020.
These days, creating wood furniture from recycled materials has become easy. For one, you can already buy wood adhesive online. It’s especially helpful when you’re making composite wood or joining different types of wood. Recycled or reclaimed wood can also become other products such as packaging, which already has a growing market in the UK.
In 2016, a YouGov survey among 2,000 participants in the country revealed that they would be willing to pay 10% more on a product that they believe are making a positive impact on society. The younger ones, in particular, don’t mind spending 15% more.
Meanwhile, over 35% of consumers consider sustainability as essential when deciding to purchase. Nearly 40% said their purchasing decisions can impact the environment. The UK also has significant use of wood waste as biomass, which partly explains why export is down.
How much wood can you recycle?
Some types of woods can no longer be recycled due to their contaminants. These include resins, nails, dirt, sand, and preservative such as copper chrome arsenate. Medium-density fiber boards (MDFs) and plywood are also less likely to be candidates for recycling. Usually, however, most recyclers find plenty of wood that they can recycle into furniture, paper, packaging, and even mulch for the gardens.
With some ingenuity and innovation, you may even discover more uses for the reclaimed wood. Not only does it give you another money-making opportunity, but it also boosts your brand’s purpose and helps you save the planet.
