Timber recycler and reclaimer seeks new yard

Reclaimed Timber Traders, the Palmerston North-based timber rescue and recycling yard, is on the lookout for new premises.

The social enterprise in Matipo St, run by Robert and Adrienne Scott, takes demolition timber, denails and deconstructs it, and sorts and resells it as quality secondhand construction material.

This keeps it out of landfill, as well as providing work training and business skills.

‘‘We create work opportunities for people who would otherwise be unemployed for various reasons,’’ Robert Scott said.

‘‘A lot people who have come through here now have paid jobs.’’

The work also provided a social connection and access to advocacy.

He hoped the enterprise would be able to continue in Palmerston North.

Some of their ‘‘wood for good’’ had made it to Fiji for the reconstruction after Cyclone Winston.

Scott said there was a need to redefine the concept of waste timber, not just locally, but nationally. Almost 13 per cent of all waste that ends up in landfills is timber.

‘‘This wood isn’t waste – it’s surplus, and surplus resources don’t belong in landfill. The safest place for surplus treated timber is back in a building somewhere.

‘‘We have trialled a recovery model that has worked well over the past eight years.

‘‘We want to take all unwanted wood, sort it and redistribute it. We could provide government and local industry with a green arm that would minimise their waste stream.’’

Scott saw moving from Matipo St as a positive, though finding a yard with 2 hectares of space for the sorted timber at a reasonable rental was a challenge. They were even looking at Whanganui.

‘‘We’ve been asked to set up there,’’ Scott said.

He hoped to be able to do that, as well as continuing to operate in Palmerston North.