In April, GodaHus organized a breakfast event as part of the CTB project to highlight a pilot collaboration for increased reuse of building materials. Attendance was high, as was the interest generated among the participating stakeholders.
Stakeholder engagement in Vaxjo
CTB as enabler
One of the tasks assigned to GodaHus and Linnaeus University within the CTB project is to increase knowledge about reuse in the construction sector, as well as to promote collaboration between actors to boost reuse and a more circular construction sector. In other words, to act as an enabler.
So far our Swedish partners have observed, while working on the project and during interviews with various stakeholders, that the knowledge already exists. Most people agree that a more circular approach is essential moving forward. However, the main challenge to date seems to lie in the practical implementation. "The will is there, but we're still looking for the best way," said one stakeholder. "It is difficult to get started, and reuse is often seen as complicated in practice. Preferably it must be just as easy to reuse as it is to do the opposite.”
The will is there, but we're still looking for the best way.
Left: Håkan Jarl from Återbruka | Right: Anton Hultin from Ahlsell
Regional collaboration
It was in this context that GodaHus organized a breakfast seminar, within the CTB project framework, and invited property owners and construction industry contractors. The purpose of the meeting was to showcase a newly established pilot collaboration in the region that is focused on making the reuse of building materials practical and simple.
Återbruka is relatively small, newly founded company with extensive experience in the demolition sector is working with a large distributor of building products in called Ahlsell. The latter has an established logistics network and physical stores throughout Sweden selling new materials. But Ahlsell recognizes that reuse is part of the future and wants to enable this side of the business as well by entering into a pilot partnership with Återbruka.
Stakeholder's breakfast in Växjö
Simple & beneficial
So how does it work? Contractors in the construction industry can drop off surplus materials at Ahlsell’s stores. Ahlsell provides handling and logistics, and Återbruka ensures the materials are given a new life by selling through its own channels. It's designed to be simple and beneficial for all parties involved, meaning:
- The contractor has reduced waste and lower disposal costs, while receiving 25 percent of the sale price from Återbruka as store credit at Ahlsell. The contractor also receives documentation of the climate savings they have contributed to.
- For Ahlsell, the initiative creates a circular flow that supports their overall business while also contributing to sustainability.
- Återbruka ensures that materials are given a second life, collecting and reselling them through its channels.
Kick-starting regional collaboration
Kickstart for the reuse market
The collaboration has just been launched but almost 50 items have already gone through the system in little over a month. As host for this breakfast meeting the CTB partners help kickstart the reuse market and showcase circular initiatives.
Anders Lundgren (Godahus) explains: "We see it as an important role to act as an enabler. By using our network, we can ensure things actually start happening - the practical implementation of circular theories in this sector. We also believe that this is how a reuse market can be sustained beyond the CTB project. By ensuring that market actors themselves establish collaborations and structures for reuse, we can increase volumes to a level where continued operations are profitable."
If this collaboration proves successful in Southeast Sweden, there are already plans for a nationwide scale up.
Björn Eliasson, Anders Lundgren, Viktoria Björk (Godahus)