Grantee Research Project Results
Scaling Reclaimed Lumber Sales & Procurement Through Web and App-Based Technology
EPA Contract Number: 68HERC25C0021Title: Scaling Reclaimed Lumber Sales & Procurement Through Web and App-Based Technology
Investigators: Tai, Nicole C
Small Business: Pacific Reclaimed Lumber & Supply, SPC
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: December 16, 2024 through June 15, 2025
Project Amount: $100,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2025) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
This project aims to expand the sales and procurement of reclaimed lumber and building materials online, helping to secure the reclaimed lumber industry as a leader in the circular economy. By studying the barriers to listing and purchasing these materials online, we will develop the platform architecture for a new web and app-based platform. The ultimate goal is to create a platform that facilitates the reduction of embodied carbon in buildings through the purchase of reusable materials.
The mission of PRLS is to promote and grow the reuse and remanufacturing of reclaimed lumber and materials from the built environment leading to a reduction of solid waste and climate emissions. To accomplish this, PRLS connects deconstruction contractors, reuse retailers, and upcyclers with sustainability-minded architects, contractors, and other industry buyers.
The U.S. reclaimed lumber industry is poised to become an $11 billion industry by 2030, but could strive for a more ambitious goal with increased sales efficiency. The construction industry currently disposes of over 27 million tons of wood waste annually, much of which could be salvaged through deconstruction. Reclaimed lumber offers significant environmental benefits, reducing climate emissions by up to double compared to disposal, and sequestering embodied carbon for 50-100 years when reused. However, for the reclaimed lumber industry to meaningfully reduce national waste, it must scale up operations and sales. A key step will be making reclaimed lumber inventories more accessible online, which is currently a challenge.
Our goal is to create a simple, trustworthy listing and sales process for sellers and a straightforward, consistent purchasing experience for buyers. Using the existing Pacific Reclaimed Lumber & Supply (PRLS) marketplace as a test case, we will solicit user feedback on the listing process and survey them on their experiences with other subscription platforms. This data will be analyzed and used to model a platform architecture meeting the complex needs of both listers and buyers
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.