The use and re-use of timber structure elements, within a waste hierarchy concept, as a tool towards circular economy for buildings

Abstract

Wood is the only natural renewable building material, produced by photosynthesis. It has the ability to preserve the stored carbon in its molecular structure as long as it remains within a structure. Timber dwellings are re-gaining recognition worldwide, especially in remote areas due to their aesthetic superiority, durability and harmony with the natural landscape. Research findings, as well as industrial operations indicate that timber buildings present beneficial environmental impacts, compared to other common building materials. Specifically, timber has substantial strength characteristics, low embodied energy, less CO2 emissions and also an easy and fast construction, combined with minimum disruption to the environment. Moreover, timber buildings have a high potential to reduce waste at site and ability for re-use, when designed for future ease of deconstruction, providing the repeated utilization of the used material, known as, the cascading concept. It is already recognized that successful waste management is a measure towards the containment of climate change. Using timber structures enhances the chances to accomplish the contemporary waste hierarchy concept, which can be implemented according to the application of Design for Deconstruction and Reuse (DfDR) concept, at an early stage. These waste management techniques are strongly related to circular economy, but can only be achieved through the aim of a long-lasting design. Finally, in most countries, the existing building codes should be revised in order to overcome the imposed limitations on the re-use of building materials.