This article was written by FTMA’s Kat Welsh.
The University of the Sunshine Coast’s National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life has begun an important project that has significant meaning for the timber industry.
The Timber Circularity project is spending the next 3 years specifically working on end-of-life outcomes for treated timber and engineered wood products. The main aim is to “identify environmentally and economically sound opportunities for reuse / recycling treated timber and EWP’s.” The project is trying to achieve solutions and best outcomes for timber at end-of-life, to retain the stored carbon, rather than it being burnt or land-filled. By identifying these solutions, the timber could continue to be re-used for more than one life-cycle.
FTMA has partnered with the project with our full support for the expected outcomes, as this means helping our members – and the industry as a whole – deal with its waste management, as well as doing better for the environment.
The initial parts of the project are assessing what the issues are – how much waste is being produced, what are current methods of dealing with waste management, and its costs. And FTMA are assisting in any way we can for the research – including helping the researchers connect to sites.
Recently Chief Research Fellow for the project, Dr. Penelope Mitchell, visited East Coast Frames and Trusses. Carly Timperley, Owner and Director, was good enough to show Pene around her plant and discuss the fine details of the frame and truss process, timber treatments, and waste volumes and management. The benefits to this are that Pene and the research team are learning firsthand what many of the issues and current practices are.
The visit was extremely beneficial – contributing to the bigger picture for us all, in the bid to working out the waste problems, and for Australia’s push to be a circular economy committed society for the climate. Pene was really pleased with the visit, and grateful for the insights that this gives to their research.
A massive thank you to Carly for taking the time to host Pene, and support this important project. Partnering with the Timber Circulatory project is part of FTMA’s commitment to assisting our members, the industry, and the Carbon Warrior mission – we will be facilitating further research with our members, on behalf of Pene and the project – so watch this space!
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