'What is the situation with the reuse of reclaimed building materials such as wood and bricks in the UK?'

Grok 3 replied:

'Quantifying the exact amount of building materials like old bricks and wood reclaimed for reuse from UK demolition sites is challenging due to limited comprehensive data and varying practices across the industry. However, available sources provide some insights into the scale and context of material reclamation, particularly for bricks and wood.

Bricks:

• Demolition Waste and Reclamation: Approximately 2.5 billion bricks arise as demolition waste annually in the UK, roughly equivalent to the number of new bricks used each year. However, only about 5% of these (around 125 million bricks) are reclaimed for reuse, with the remaining 95% typically crushed for use as fill or aggregate. The low reclamation rate is attributed to challenges such as removing hard cement mortars and ensuring quality for reuse. Source: London based architecure practice with a focus on sustainable spaces, Unagru Architecture & Urbanism, article, March, 2022. The article discusses the economic, technical, environmental, and theoretical perspectives of using reclaimed bricks in sustainable construction projects.
• Construction and Demolition Waste Statistics: In 2020, the UK generated 59.4 million tonnes of non-hazardous construction and demolition (C&D) waste, with 55.0 million tonnes recovered (a recovery rate of 92.3%). In 2022, England alone generated 63.0 million tonnes, with 59.4 million tonnes recovered. A significant portion of this includes mineral wastes like bricks, which are often crushed into aggregates rather than reused whole. Around 53% of waste recorded as "recycling and other recovery" is mineral wastes (e.g., bricks, stone), and 12% is soils. Source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) a UK Government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Defra is a ministerial department, supported by 33 agencies and public bodies.
• Paving Bricks: 
  A 2020 report by CE Delft supports high reuse rates, estimating 70–89% reuse of paving bricks on municipal streets, with a likely range of 80–83%, and a functional lifespan of 130–140 years. Another report from 2020, updating a 2009 study, estimates an 88% reuse rate for paving bricks, including private reuse, with a functional lifespan of approximately 135 years. Source: CE Delft, Netherlands based, independent research and consultancy.
• Reclamation Challenges: 
  Cleaning cement mortar off reclaimed bricks is a major challenge in the reclamation process. Cement mortar, commonly used in modern construction, is harder and more tenacious than older lime mortar, making it difficult to remove without damaging the brick. The process is labor-intensive, often requiring manual chiseling, mechanical tools like angle grinders, or specialized machinery such as hydraulic presses or vibrating tables to break the mortar bond. These methods risk cracking or chipping the bricks, reducing the number suitable for reuse. Source: Unagru Architecture & Urbanism (March, 2022) as above.
• Reclaimed bricks: 
  The need to ensure structural integrity (e.g., frost resistance and strength), contributes to the low reclamation rate, with only about 5% of the 2.5 billion bricks arising as demolition waste annually in the UK being reclaimed for reuse. Source: Unagru Architecture & Urbanism (March, 2022) as above.
   

Wood:

• Wood Waste Volume: 
  About 4.5 million tons of wood waste is generated yearly, with 0.5 million tons landfilled in 2021. Large scale biomass remained the largest user of waste wood during the year, accounting for 63% of total material processed, representing an increase of 7% year-on-year Source: Wood Recyclers’ Association (WRA) - works on behalf of wood recyclers with the Environment Agency, DEFRA, DESNZ and other trade associations and recycling bodies to influence and advise on issues affecting their industry, including legislation. The article is about waste wood processed in 2022.
• Reuse: 
  Exact figures on the amount of reclaimed wood reused in UK construction projects are limited due to inconsistent reporting and varying definitions of "reclaimed wood" and "recycled wood." Source: an environmental NGO, Waste and Resources Action Programme, WRAP 

Broader Context:

• Reclaimed Materials in Construction: 
  Current Reuse Rate: Approximately 1% of building materials in UK construction projects are reclaimed, covering materials like wood, bricks, steel, and concrete. This low rate reflects limited adoption despite growing sustainability awareness. This is attributed to barriers like lack of standardization, certification, and supply chain integration. Source: A 2021, report from a membership charity think tank with a focus on net zero and environmental policy, Green Alliance 
  Potential for Reuse: Estimates suggest 5–10% of construction material demand could be met through reclamation, driven by environmental benefits like reduced embodied carbon and landfill diversion. Source: Report, 2022, from the membership charity with a focus on sustainability in the built environment, UK Green Building Council, (UKGBC).
• Environmental and Economic Benefits: In recent years, there has been a significant shift towards sustainable materials and green building practices in the construction industry. This change is driven by a growing awareness of climate change and the need to reduce our environmental impact. Reclaimed building materials have emerged as a key solution in this movement towards sustainability. Source: Reclaimed Brick Company - a reclaimed building materials dealer and Salvo Code member - news feature, from February 2024, Reclaimed Building Materials: An Eco-Friendly Choice

Limitations

Precise data on reuse (as opposed to recycling) is limited, as most statistics focus on recovery rates that include both processes. Reclamation varies by region, project type, and material condition, and small-scale salvage operations are often underreported.'- end

The reply to the same question from ChatGPT:

'The reuse of reclaimed building materials in the UK is gradually gaining traction—but remains a small fraction of the overall construction material flow. 

Here's the current situation:

Reuse is growing — but still limited:

• Tiny share reclaimed: Only about 1% of materials from demolitions are actually reused—the vast majority is recycled or sent to landfill. Roughly 2.5 billion bricks are demolished each year in the UK. Of those, only about 5% are officially reclaimed for reuse—around 125 million bricks. The other 95% are typically crushed into hardcore or landfill material. The UK generates ~ 0.85 million tonnes of wood waste yearly. While most is recovered via recycling or energy use, exact figures for direct reuse are scarce—likely similar to France’s low (~2–5%) level.  Source: information site for sustainable building, Sustainable Build - Reclaimed Materials

• Huge environmental impact and key challenges holding back progress: It makes for some uncomfortable reading, the built environment is responsible for 45% of the UK’s total carbon emissions, and accounts for 60% of all materials used whilst creating a third of all waste. Source: Source: SalvoWEB news, Reuse is the pressing issue - SalvoNEWS in 2020.

• Underdeveloped infrastructure: While digital platforms (like directories and material passports) are emerging, there’s limited physical infrastructure, e.g., salvage hubs. Source: non-profit membership for the built environment sector, Alliance for Sustainable Building Products, ASBP

  Encouraging developments and initiatives:

  The EU FCRBE, 2019 project aimed to boost reuse in the UK, France and Belgium target included a fifty percent increase in reclaimed materials, with directories listing around 1,500 suppliers.  See the 'Review of the FCRBE project by Bellastock', SalvoNEWS, 2024. UK based, Salvo, an FCRBE project partner from 2019 to 2021, produced the UK & Ireland 500 futuREuse directory and is continuing to promote reuse with the futuREuse platform and consultancy and is now developing a label for 'Truly Reclaimed' products. Source: SalvoWEB news, Truly Reclaimed beta soft launch - SalvoNEWS in 2021.

  Policy & regulation support:

• Waste hierarchy laws: UK legislation (e.g. Waste Regulations 2011, Site Waste Management Plans) legally prioritises reuse before recycling or disposal. Source: Guidance on applying the Waste Hierarchy - June, 2011 from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (DEFRA)

• Circular economy investment: The Government’s Resource Recovery Action Plan, NICER funding, and the Green Construction Board’s zero-waste roadmap are all pushing for stronger reuse frameworks. Source: Salvo's platform and consultancy striving to decarbonise construction by facilitating the reuse of reclaimed building materials  futuREuse

 Looking ahead, opportunities & potential: Urgent need to scale: With demand for reclaimed materials rising faster than supply, there’s a clear need to build deconstruction-based infrastructure and broaden sourcing networks. Encouraging early engagement in projects ensures that reclaiming materials is factored into cost, logistics, and scheduling.

The UK is firmly on a transition path: reuse of building materials is gaining momentum, supported by policy, innovation, and industry action—but much more investment and structural change is needed to take it mainstream.'- end

The images featured in this article showcase genuine reclaimed building materials, all currently listed for sale on the SalvoWEB global marketplace for architectural salvage and reclamation. These materials come from Salvo Code member dealers, who follow best practices in sourcing and selling reclaimed goods.

To identify trusted sellers, look for the crane logo on their listings—this marks Salvo Code members. Also keep an eye out for the TR (Truly Reclaimed) logo, for items that have been verified as genuinely reclaimed.

Created by Salvo, the Truly Reclaimed standard helps buyers distinguish authentic antique and salvaged products from imitations that only look old. They may look classic, but often use energy intensive methods to give an aged look, which adds even more to the higher carbon footprint of new rather than original antique and reclaimed materials.

Salvo has long championed reuse and was an original partner in the EU-funded FCRBE project (Facilitating the Circulation of Reclaimed Building Elements), alongside Belgian reuse experts Rotor. Set in 2019, the project aimed to increase the reuse of reclaimed materials across Europe from just 1% to 1.5% by 2032—a modest but important 50% increase. Yet even this small target may prove difficult to reach.

This raises a key point: do we really need new salvage hubs, or do we simply need to support the ones that already exist? Salvage dealers and their reclamation yards have quietly been saving, storing, and supplying materials for decades, often near city centres and close to demolition sites. But rising urban rents and lack of support have forced many of these essential businesses to relocate or shut down altogether. 

Despite growing public interest in reuse, the reclamation trade receives no funding or grants to support stock holding or urban presence. This is a missed opportunity—especially when reclaimed building materials are often more sustainable than new ones.

Team Salvo is ready and willing to continue its vital research and advocacy to increase reuse. But like much of the sector, it currently lacks the funding to do so.

Although there is no immediate sign of government or private investment in this space, perhaps it’s time for a more optimistic outlook. Practical steps are still possible. Demolition & dismantling alerts for complete buildings or architectural features still in situ can be posted on the SalvoWEB, helping materials find new life instead of heading to landfill.