The University of British Columbia

Published purpose

The construction and demolition sector in Canada produces about 4 million tonnes of waste per year. Of this, an estimated 30-60% is wood waste which is largely discarded in landfills. Wood fibre insulation is currently not produced in Canada, and is typically made with new lumber or from pulp and sawmill waste and petrochemical-based adhesives and additives. The project will develop a method for making wood fibre insulation from salvaged wood waste from the construction and demolition sector. The project includes developing methods for making wood fibre from waste wood products, researching bio-based adhesives and treatments for wood fibre insulation board production, and testing the performance of the novel wood fibre products. Upcycling waste wood into new construction products will cycle wood back into the built environment, extend wood lifespan, add value and longevity to a valuable material, and reduce GHG emissions and new resources required for new construction projects.