A study on wood waste potential in Turkey

The aim of this article is to examine and assess Turkey's wood waste potential through an experimental investigation approach to serve Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of United Nations Development Programme. While integrating entrepreneurial and architectural perspectives from two authors, the survey provides insights into the waste wood-producing sector, highlighting the gaps within the data in the existing literature. To address these gaps, after reviewing available sources in the wood-waste producing sector, the authors conducted interviews with directly involved volunteers to gather first-hand information and suggestions. Viability studies were subsequently conducted for theoretical products, comparing their potential to create value-add by utilizing wood waste capacity.

The proposal for handmade, unique, products from solid wood waste demonstrated a higher added value attributed to elevated selling price expectations, albeit with limited benefits in recycling substantial amounts of wood waste. Conversely, the proposal focusing on wood-based pressboards exhibited a lower added value, influenced by competitive pressure from industrially produced boards, but demonstrated a significant capacity for CO₂ sequestration. The findings of the study underscore a considerable future potential for wasted wood and its utilization in Turkey, while also emphasizing the pressing need for additional research on wood waste recycling to enhance ecological sustainability.