Used building materials fly off shelves at Danish reuse centres

Used construction materials are selling out almost as quickly as they arrive at Danish reuse centres, with wood products in particularly high demand, DR reports.

At AffaldPlus, a waste management company in Næstved, staff say their reuse market for building supplies is being emptied within hours. “There’s not much left,” said team leader Henrik Bro Andersen. “As soon as it comes in, it’s gone. It’s an in-demand product.”

The trend is mirrored nationwide, according to Cirkulær, an industry association representing municipal waste companies. “We’re seeing more and more reuse areas for building materials at recycling centres,” said director Jens Bomann. “And we’re seeing large numbers of people dropping off and picking up used supplies.”

Demand is driven largely by small-scale DIY projects like birdhouses, rabbit hutches, and soapbox cars. AffaldPlus attributes the surge to growing sustainability awareness, with customers opting for reused materials over new purchases. “There’s been a complete shift in focus toward sustainability,” Andersen said. “Instead of just throwing things out and buying new, people are using what we already have.”

Cost savings also play a role. While AffaldPlus charges modest fees, reused materials remain far cheaper than new ones. At 131 recycling centres across 58 municipalities, residents can now exchange secondhand building supplies—often for free.