More than 60% of Australian timber ends up in landfills, with the remainder burnt as fuel. However, that could all change thanks to a new project known as the Australian Timber Circularity Project – now looking at ways that treated timbers and engineered wood products can help Australia transition to a net-zero economy.
In July, Wood Central revealed that the project, with support from Forest Wood Products Australia (FWPA), the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) and the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), has engaged the country’s brightest timber researchers to understand how timber waste can be reused and recycled in the circular economy.
Now, these researchers want to work with the country’s leading fabricators to understand how unused and wasted resources produced during the manufacturing process for engineered wood products can be reused and made into new products. “Offcuts and sawdust, for example, produced during fabrication of shop fittings, kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, office furniture, and other commercial products will be investigated,” according to the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life.
Speaking about the project, Dr Pene Mitchell, the project lead, said, “The survey is an important step in mapping timber resources and determining solutions based on the amount and type of resources available.” In addition, “it will help the industry pinpoint regional solutions, reduce disposal costs and value their timber resource,” Dr Mitchell said.
To learn more about the Australian Timber Circularity Project, including the role of CCA-treated timber in the circular economy, click here for Wood Central’s special feature.
