New life for construction waste wood
Construction waste wood gets a new purpose
After concrete, construction waste wood is the largest waste material in Finland, but its recycling use has been limited. The project “Käytöstä poistunut puumateriaali kiertoon” (Recycling discarded wood material) PUMASKA is investigating ways of processing wood waste to make it usable. The results are promising: for example, one processing method, where wood is treated with steam and ground, has shown similar and sometimes even better results in germination trials than peat.
Peat substitution is necessary
Peat is an excellent growing medium, but substitutes should be found for ecological reasons. Alternatives that have been explored in the past include wood fibre, coconut fibre and moss. The steam-treated waste wood now under investigation offers an ecological alternative that takes advantage of the circular economy and reduces waste.
Further research will focus on the long-term properties of the material and its suitability for commercial use. In addition ʵ University, the project involves the University of Eastern Finland and Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK). The project is co-funded by the European Union.
Read more news
Apply now: Study Wellbeing Innovation in Tongji Summer School in China this August
European students in design, engineering, architecture and business are invited to join a cross-cultural learning experience bringing European and Chinese students together at Tongji University, one of China’s leading universities in Shanghai.Summer school scholarship: An opportunity to study in the French Alps from June 29 to July 4, 2026!
Students from Aalto University’s ELEC, ENG and SCI schools have a unique opportunity to participate in the ‘Mountains in a changing world’ summer school at Université Grenoble Alpes in France.
AI companions can comfort lonely users but may deepen distress over time
Long-term use of AI companions may give comfort, but research indicates it may negatively impact users’ wellbeing and their ability to navigate real world relationships.