One of the activities of the PREUSE research programme is entitled ‘Conduct three pilot actions to test different formats of reuse centres for materials salvaged from public construction sites’. These 3 pilot actions have been in progress since 2024 in 3 different cities: Utrecht (NL), Lorient and Roubaix (FR), each with different objectives, models and schedules.
For several months now, the partners have been developing these projects locally on the ground. What have been the major steps this year for the various reuse centre projects? How far have they got?
These pilot operations are part of, and contribute to, the state of the art of economic models for reuse platforms currently underway and the drafting of an overall strategy for the creation of reuse centres.
Utrecht
The Utrecht pilot project is being led by the City of Utrecht, with the aim of creating an internal public reuse centre within its local authority. The project is scheduled to open in March 2025.
About the location
The site was identified several months ago and is now ready to host the centre's activities. The rental contract with the owner still needs to be formalised.
In 2024
The year was dedicated to various feasibility studies and the setting up of working groups to develop the best business model for the platform, as well as deciding on its operating model. It was essential to define: the materials - the logistics systems and machines - the design and layout of the building - the team - the impact measurement tools...
For this first opening, the partner has chosen to concentrate on a limited number of materials so as to be able to test the model and improve it as time progresses.
For 2025
A crucial year for testing and improving the centre!
The main objectives will be to design the reuse centre, obtain the environmental permit, acquire machines and software and ensure the logistical operation of the centre.
Roubaix
The project in Roubaix is being led by the Fabrique des Quartiers, and its creation is supported by the Metropole Européenne de Lille. The project involves the creation of a reuse centre dedicated to building materials for professionals, in link with the town's NPNRU renewal strategy.. The project is scheduled to open in December 2027.
About the location
The site where the reuse centre will be located is known and identified. Cleaning and decontamination work will be required to ensure that the platform and its users are welcomed in the best possible conditions. The centre is located at 99 Boulevard de Metz in Roubaix.
In 2024
The year was dominated by feasibility studies, which enabled the project's relevance to be validated with the public authorities and the project to be taken forward on the operational front. An initial call for tenders was published in July to identify the future operator of the site, but this was not successful.
For 2025
The call for tenders has been reworked and will be launched again between January and March to find an operator for the site and have it validated by the public authorities. The architectural project management contract for the work on the reuse centre will also be launched. At the same time, clean-up and decontamination work will begin in 2025.
Lorient
The project is supported by the City of Lorient and aims to create a temporary reuse centre directly linked to the public urban renewal project. The project is scheduled to open in January 2026.
About the location
The location has not yet been determined, even though a number of potential sites are being studied.
In 2024
The year was mainly spent on feasibility studies and writing different scenarios for the reuse centre. The decision was made to start the project with a start-up platform that will focus on certain materials: lighting - metalwork - radiators - granite - wood, etc. The centre's ambition is to be able to accommodate storage and handle logistics, but the question of processing has not yet been decided.
In December, the project was officially approved by the public authorities!
For 2025
With the studies and the project now validated, the next steps will focus on the choice of site and its development. Regulatory approvals also remain to be obtained. Ideally, the architectural project management contract and the construction work could begin in 2025.