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.

    FCRBE - Procurement strategies (2022)
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    This document explains how to formulate reclamation objectives as part of a works contract. It complements the 2015 handbook for off-site reuse.

    FCRBE - The reclamation audit (2023)
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    A global overview on how to conduct reclamation audits and inventory the reuse potential of building materials.

    The annexes of this document are available on the Interreg NWE FCRBE project website.

    Handbook for offsite reuse (2015)
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    How to extract reusable materials from public buildings? This handbook presents different ways to organise the reclamation of building materials in the context of public tenders : sale and donation of materials (still installed), organisation of an adhoc contract for the reclamation of the materials, setting a best efforts obligation in the works tenders.

    Reusing materials

    A few documents to assist the undertaking of reuse strategies in a building project.

    FCRBE - Procurement strategies (2021)
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    This handbook has been developed as part of the Interreg NWE FCRBE project. It presents different pathways to integrate reuse ambitions into a construction or renovation building project.

    FCRBE - General introduction to the material sheets (2021)
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    This sheet is intended for designers, specifiers and other members of construction project teams wishing to reuse building materials and
    products. It is part of a collection of 36 sheets aimed at bringing together the available information to date that is likely to facilitate the reuse of
    building materials and products. These detailed sheets are available in the Materials section of Opalis.

    FCRBE - Compilation of material sheets (2021)
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    A compilation of all the available material sheets (307 pages). Individual sheets can be downloaded from the Materials section.

    FCRBE - Pilot operations report (2021)
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    During the Interreg NWE FCRBE project, 37 pilot operations took place. As part of these, partners assisted building owners, architects and other actors of the construction industry to apply reclamation and reuse strategies for building materials.

    Detailed reports are available on the FCRBE website.

    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).

    FCRBE - Set, monitor and report on reclamation and reuse rates in construction projects
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    This document establishes the necessary definitions and presents the key methodological aspects for addressing the issue of reuse and reclamation rates.

    FCRBE - Ex-post analysis of 32 construction and renovation works
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    This document reports on the calculation and analysis of reuse rates achieved in a sample of 32 recently completed projects.

    FCRBE - 32 detailed project sheets
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    Projects info, reused rates and reused elements. It is a complement to the analysis of the 32 projects that gives as much details as possible on the reused elements used in each project

    FCRBE - Live Test : reports on 4 operations using reuse targets
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    This document reports on live tests which explored how to implement reuse rates in various procurement procedures.

    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.

    01 - The environmental impact of reuse.pdf
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    Booklet n°1: The environmental impact of reuse in the construction sector.

    02 - Evaluating the technical performance of reclaimed building materials
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    Booklet n°2: 02 - Evaluating the technical performance of reclaimed building materials.

    03 - Material surface treatments
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    Booklet n°3: Material Surface Treatments for commonly reclaimed building elements

    04 - Product or waste?
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    Booklet n°4: Product or waste? Criteria for reuse.

    05 - How to build a Roadmap
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    Booklet n°5: How to build a Roadmap. The do’s and dont’s of reuse in the construction sector.

    06 - Understanding Urban Stocks
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    Booklet n°6: Understanding Urban Stocks.

    07 - Fashion for reclamation
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    Booklet n°7: Fashion for Reclamation.

    Practical guides for contractors

    Six guides on reuse for specialised trades: general contractors, finishing companies, woodworkers, roofers, demolishers and infrastructure contractors.

    General contractors
    Interior finishers
    Wood workers
    Roofers
    Demolishers and dismantlers
    Infrastructure companies

    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.

    Case studies on insurance practices among dealers
    Case studies on insurance practices within construction projects
    Case studies on new services to answer insurance issues
    Prospective report on reuse and insurance - EN.pdf

    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.

    FCRBE - Statistical analysis (2021)
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    Statistical survey of the social and economical impact of the reclamation trade in North West Europe. This document has been produced as part of the Interreg NWE FCRBE project.

    FCRBE -Reuse in green building frameworks (2021)
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    How are reuse strategies considered in green building rating systems and sustainability frameworks? This report, produced as part oof the Interreg NWE FCRBE project, brings some elements of answer.

    FCRBE - Reuse in environmental impact assessment tools (2021)
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    How are reuse strategies integrated into software modelling the environmental impact of building projects? This report, produced as part of the Interreg NWE FCRBE project, brings some elements of answer.

    FCRBE - Roadmap for public policies (2021)
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    A collection of inspiring actions to foster reuse-friendly public policies. This document has been produced as part of the Interreg NWE FCRBE project.

    Websites

    A few useful websites :

    Videos

    Three videos produced as part of the Interreg NWE FCRBE project.