Written by FTMA’s Kat Welsh
Fabricating with Engineered Wood Products?
Want to Contribute to the Future of the Industry?
When we commit to providing information for research, we’re also committing to the future. For progression to occur, it’s crucial to ascertain where we are now, and not leave things to chance.
Society doesn’t advance whilst aimlessly existing – it develops because we build on the shoulders of everything that has come before us. It assesses, imagines, designs, creates, and grows. And, we can all be a part of that continuous journey.
When FTMA sends around surveys, we know it’s something that will take up a valuable 5, 10 minutes for very busy fabricators, but we know that the people that do share information, are providing essential details to assist in working out what can be done to make improvements, and we want to facilitate people to be a part of the future of our industry.
FTMA is attempting to support and provide – ultimately – solutions. But, we also need your help to Support – Invest – Grow.
We won’t take up much more of your time – because we want you to either fill out this survey, or forward to your connections, or both.
If you work with, or have connections to anyone working with engineered wood products – please please please see details of the research below…
Timber Circularity Project Aims to Transform Waste into Resources
Led by the National Centre of Timber Durability and Design Life (NCTDDL), the Timber Circularity Project seeks to quantify unused resources from engineered wood products.
The Timber Circularity Project team is conducting a survey to quantify the unused and wasted resources produced when using engineered wood products (EWP). Offcuts and sawdust for example produced during fabrication of shop fittings, kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, office furniture, and other commercial products will be investigated. Funded by prominent industry partners including Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA), Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA), Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), the project aims to understand resources that are currently wasted yet have potential for future reuse and recycling in a circular economy.
As the Australian government aims for a circular economy by 2030, reducing waste and minimizing resources sent to landfill has never been more critical. “Quantifying resources, their location, and condition is an important step in finding circular solutions,” said Professor Tripti Singh, Director of the Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life. The project addresses the urgent need for solutions to manage unused timber resources, including offcuts and sawdust, which are often discarded. By identifying ways to reuse these materials, fabricators can reduce disposal costs while contributing to sustainability.
“The engineered wood products industry is working towards closing the loop and transforming what was once considered waste and offcuts into valuable resources,” said Gavin Matthew, CEO of EWPAA, “The Timber Circularity project outcomes will help identify further opportunities and drive innovation within the sector.”
The initiative aligns with circular economy principles, advocating for higher-value applications of timber rather than disposal methods such as burning. Professor Singh emphasized the project’s potential: “Integrating timber into a circular economy framework provides opportunities to enhance its value, reduce environmental impact which will contribute to climate change mitigation by promoting responsible and sustainable practices.”
To support this endeavour, the Timber Circularity Project survey has been designed to help quantify and gain a better understanding of the resources.
“The survey is an important step in mapping timber resources and determining solutions based on amount and type of resource available. It will help the industry pinpoint regional solutions, reduce disposal costs and value their timber resource,” stated Dr Pene Mitchell, Project lead.
Participation in the survey takes less than 10 minutes and participants will be entered into a draw to win $100.
For further information, please contact Dr Penelope Mitchell: pmitche2@usc.edu.au
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