Lumber Reuse

Wood is too valuable to throw away

Every year, millions of tonnes of usable lumber are landfilled. On set, we can change that by designing for reuse, not just recycling.

Reuse keeps lumber at its highest value. A reused 2×4 is still a 2×4. Wood that is glued, stapled and painted into a one-off set piece often has nowhere to go but the bin. Reuse starts with how we build.

The problem, in numbers 75 million tonnes 43% 41,400 tonnes $2 billion of wood waste goes to Canadian and American landfills every year. in usable timber is wasted annually, and landfilled wood releases methane as it breaks down. of demolition waste in Vancouver is wood waste from the film industry (2009–2019). per year of disposed wood in the City of Vancouver are from the film industry.

Construction, renovation and demolition generate about 4 million tonnes of waste a year in Canada. Metro Vancouver accounts for roughly 1.4 million tonnes of that, and construction materials make up about a third of what the region sends to landfill.

Sources: Canada.ca, Metro Vancouver, City of Vancouver, Watching Our Waste (NZWC)

Reuse is where the market is going $645 billion USD 11.5% 126% Projected global value of the sustainable construction materials market by 2034. Projected annual growth rate for that market, 2024–2034. Projected growth in the engineered wood market by 2032.

Proof it works:

Between February 2024 and November 2025, Urbanjacks recovered:

  • 33,425 pieces of solid wood fibre
  • 53,537 m of reusable lumber
  • 184.83 m³ of dimensional lumber

That is wood that stayed in use instead of going to landfill.

Learn about Urbanjacks and support waste diversion

What you can do:

Design for reuse

  • Stop using glue unless it’s necessary. Fasten with screws instead.
  • Screw it, don’t glue it. Screws come apart, and glue doesn’t.
  • Fold and hold. Choose joints and fasteners that can be undone.
  • Value wood fibre as a resource, not a disposable.
  • Make entertainment, not waste.

Plan early for deconstruction at set strike

  • Unscrew, stack and rack. Take sets apart so the material stays intact.
  • Assess your resources and sort accordingly. Not every piece has the same next life.
  • Aim for the best viable solution for your production. 100% sounds great, but a realistic target gets done.
  • Celebrate and share your reuse wins. Tell your crew, your studio and your vendors what you diverted.
Screw it, don’t glue it

Screw it
don’t glue it

  • Unglued lumber can be recycled.
  • Glued lumber cannot be recovered.
  • Build without adhesive wherever structurally possible.