Documentation
On this page, you will find documentary resources to facilitate the reuse of reclaimed building materials in renovation and construction works.
Reclaiming materials
This video is a general introduction to the question of reclaiming building materials. It presents a few documents and procedures that can be implemented to lengthen the life cycle of reusable materials through finding them a new use. The documents to which it refers are available below.
Video: How to maximise the reclamation of reusable materials. Subtitles in French, English and Dutch are available.
Reusing materials
A few documents to assist the undertaking of reuse strategies in a building project.
Method to set and monitor reuse efforts
These four reports form a set that addresses various aspects related to recovery and reuse rates.
These documents are intended for project owners, public authorities, and any organization involved in setting, monitoring, and reporting on recovery and reuse rates in construction and renovation projects for buildings and outdoor developments (such as roads and landscaping).
FutuREuse booklets
As part of the Interreg NWE FCRBE project, partners have published a collection of 7 booklets addressing diverse topics related to the reuse of building materials.
Practical guides for contractors
Six guides on reuse for specialised trades: general contractors, finishing companies, woodworkers, roofers, demolishers and infrastructure contractors.
Insurance for reused building materials
A selection of 11 case studies which successfully dealt with insurance issues for reused building materials. A synthesis suggests guidelines for best practices.
General documentation
This section mostly presents documents that have been published as part of the Interreg NWE FCRBE project. They explore different facets of reuse: a statistical analysis of the reclamation trade, public policies recommendations, etc.
Websites
A few useful websites :
- The Interreg NWE FCRBE project is a transregional effort carried out by 11 partners. It aims at enhancing the rate of building materials reclamation and reuse in North West Europe. It started in 2018. The first phase ended in January 2022. A project extension will continue until 2023.
- The Truly Reclaimed label has been developed by Salvo to attest the genuine reclaim origin of materials.
- Futureuse is a library of resources and a space for discussions developed and managed by Salvo.
- SalvoWeb contains an online directory documenting several thousands reclamation and salvage dealers all over the world and specifically in the UK.
- The Platform of the actors for the reuse of building elements in the Brussels-Capital Region is a contact point for organisations involved in the field of reuse. It aims to bring together local reuse initiatives and raise awareness on this subject.
- Build Reuse (formerly BMRA) is a US federation of deconstruction and salvage enterprises. It animates a large network of members active in the filed of deconstruction and sale of salvaged materials. It also developed certified training programs.
- Design for Reuse Primer: 15 Successful Reuse Projects within Different Sectors Explored In-depth, by Public Architecture, 2010. A compilation of 15 reuse experiences thoroughly documented in North America.
- Reclaimed building products guide, WRAP, 2008. This UK guide addressed to architects is a pearl edited by the WRAP, when reuse was still high in the priorities of the agency.
- Objectif réemploi, by Rotor, Aug. 2017. This leaflet sketches an inspiring vision of how reuse practices could find their place within the construction industry. It has been carried out as part of the ERDF-funded project Le bâti bruxellois, source de nouveaux matériaux (BBSM) (in French only).
- Construire Circulaire. Vers une économie circulaire dans la construction, 2017. This innovation paper has been prepared by the BBRI. It presents a state of the affairs of the debates and experiences in terms of circular construction.
Videos
Three videos produced as part of the Interreg NWE FCRBE project.