Reuso de resíduos de madeira tratada: análise com o uso do custo total de propriedade - TCO

Abstract

The management of treated wood waste is one of the challenges in the production process of a timber industry, which can be approached from the perspective of the circular economy. With the aim of analyzing the economic feasibility of reusing treated wood waste in new products, this study was developed based on the reality of a Santa Catarina timber industry, applying the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) methodology. For data collection, documentary research and an interview with the timber industry manager were conducted, complemented by observations through a technical visit to the company. The TCO model was constructed based on the obtained data, and four scenarios were analyzed, considering three options for waste reuse and the classification of treated wood waste into three categories. It was observed that different alternatives yield distinct returns, depending on the characteristics of the waste classes. The TCO model revealed that the commercialization of waste to third parties and the transformation of waste into new products are viable in certain cases, potentially generating revenue for the company. The environmentally more sustainable alternatives also proved to be the most economically viable, representing gains of up to 259%. It was concluded that the waste management of the timber industry can be guided by the principles of the circular economy, focusing on resource recovery and the use of waste as a resource. The economic viability of the proposed scenarios indicates the possibility for the company to plan the gradual increase of circular actions in its production system, making it more sustainable.