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Life cycle environmental impacts of construction wood waste and packaging waste processing methods
Published on 04 March 2021
Finland
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The wood waste recycling targets are challenging in Finland, because forestry and forest industry generate plenty of high-quality by-products, which is why there has been low demand for less clean construction wood waste and wood packaging waste as recycling materials. Instead, wood waste has primarily been used in energy production. Since the life cycle environmental impacts of wood packaging waste and construction wood waste have not been previously examined, the purpose of this work is to produce more material on wood waste processing methods to support decision-making.
The life cycle environmental impacts of different wood waste processing methods were compared in three impact categories: climate change, acidification and eutrophication. The wood waste reutilization methods examined were the use of wood waste in terrace boards made out of wood composite, which replace impregnated terrace boards, incineration of wood waste in a multi-fuel boiler instead of peat, and the use of wood waste in the production of particleboard in either Finland or Central Europe. The calculation tool used was the SimaPro life cycle modelling program.
The outcome of this practice has been utilised in the negotiations on the amendment of the EU Waste Directives and in Finnish waste act preparation. Main stakeholders include forestry and forest industry companies, construction companies, regional development organisations, policy makers and municipal actors.
The life cycle environmental impacts of different wood waste processing methods were compared in three impact categories: climate change, acidification and eutrophication. The wood waste reutilization methods examined were the use of wood waste in terrace boards made out of wood composite, which replace impregnated terrace boards, incineration of wood waste in a multi-fuel boiler instead of peat, and the use of wood waste in the production of particleboard in either Finland or Central Europe. The calculation tool used was the SimaPro life cycle modelling program.
The outcome of this practice has been utilised in the negotiations on the amendment of the EU Waste Directives and in Finnish waste act preparation. Main stakeholders include forestry and forest industry companies, construction companies, regional development organisations, policy makers and municipal actors.
Resources needed
Three staff members from the Finnish Environment Institute conducted the life cycle analysis. The process was carried out under the instruction of two staff members from the Ministry of the Environment.
Evidence of success
The practice thoroughly analysed life cycle environmental impacts of wood waste processing options. Based on this study, the energy recovery of wood waste is a justified option in Finland and results in an overall better environmental outcome in regard to life cycle impacts compared to the other recycling methods examined. The study is utilised in developing regional forestry programme in Satakunta, where the side streams of forestry and forest industry are under examination.
Potential for learning or transfer
The practice has potential in supporting decision-making in regions that have similar conditions than Finland (densely forested, cold climate, large-scaled forestry and forest industry). EU Waste Directives address recycling goals for various waste types but also possible national liberties to specify these goals and the opportunities to consider the special characteristics of industrial operations and consumption in the member countries, so this kind of study and its methods might be useful also in other regions.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
The Finnish Environment Institute
Finland
Helsinki-Uusimaa
Contact
circular economy specialist