Figures from the Wood Recyclers’ Association show 68% of UK generated waste-wood is recycled (2.25Mt) and an additional 0.54Mt is exported.

In the October 2011 issue of Steel Times International, in the article ‘Target Zero: Reducing the carbon footprint of buildings’ (page 17) a figure of 10Mt of wood waste was quoted as produced annually in UK and 80% of this went to landfill. This figure was taken from a report published in 2008 by the Timber Research & Development Association (TRADA).

A more recent estimate by the WRAP (Working Together for a World Without Waste) organisation estimates that UK generates 4.1Mt of wood waste a year with the greatest arising from Construction and Demolition (2.1Mt). In terms of re-cycling, figures from the Wood Recyclers’ Association show 68% of UK generated waste-wood is recycled (2.25Mt) and an additional 0.54Mt is exported. Biomass fuel is the market showing greatest growth.

Glulam, the laminated wood product compared with steel sections in the article, can be incinerated for heat generation (ie biomass) without detriment due to the adhesives contained in the product, but much remains in use (for up to 60 years to date) or can be reused in new structures.