Mass timber construction is a fast-emerging method in the construction industry, both in Canada and abroad; unsurprisingly, proposed regulatory changes to expand its use have therefore been the subject of significant interest and discussion within the industry. In particular, the proposed regulatory changes will bring greater alignment amongst Canadian model codes, with the goal of fostering harmonization between the national and provincial codes on the use of mass timber. …The key proposed changes to the NBC relate to Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction (“EMTC“). …EMTC is different than two other widely-known mass timber construction methods, known as “combustible construction”and “heavy timber construction” . Both combustible construction and heavy timber construction, which often have larger areas of timber exposure, each only stipulate a fire resistance rating of under 45 minutes, which mean that they fall below the degree of fire protection required of EMTC.
A new report published last month by the 
We are excited to announce the BC Log & Timber Building Industry Association (BCLTBIA) 2024 AGM and Conference! Mark your calendars for April 11-14, 2024, and join us at the Prestige Harbourfront Resort in Salmon Arm, BC. A beautiful venue on Shuswap Lake, amenities for the whole family to enjoy, and an exciting lineup of seminars and workshops! Plan to arrive Thursday evening April 11th and check out Sunday April 14th. We have negotiated some fantastic room rates for our guests as well….consider coming early and/or staying additional days. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, with a great meeting and trade show space overlooking the Shuswap! Stay tuned for more details!
The population of urban areas worldwide is projected to increase by more than 2 billion in the next thirty years. Many of these individuals will require new housing. However, constructing homes using traditional materials would result in a significant release of carbon dioxide. Research conducted by the United Nations indicates that concrete, steel, glass, and bricks, commonly used in construction, contribute to approximately 9% of global CO2 emissions. …Mass timber has emerged as an apparent solution, leading to a notable trend in architectural practices. …According to Stephanie Carlisle, a senior researcher at the University of Washington’s Carbon Leadership Forum, both corporate clients and designers are apprehensive about overstating the climate benefits of mass timber. They are seeking robust systems to support their claims. Carlisle contributed to developing tallyLCA, a software tool managed by the nonprofit organisation Building Transparency, which estimates the environmental impact of building designs.
Recycling is supposed to reduce the need to produce more of the product or material that’s being recycled. Recycling paper should mean we cut down fewer trees. …When it works properly, recycling reduces waste and the need to extract more natural resources. But when we drop some things off to be “recycled,” there’s no guarantee that we’re actually cutting back on the total amount of waste produced. That’s especially true for some forms of plastic. If you shop online, you’re familiar with receiving some of your items in a flimsy plastic envelope. Some of that plastic packaging says it is recyclable. But how much of Amazon’s plastic packaging is actually getting recycled? The true answer is a lot less than you might think. U.S. PIRG Education Fund researchers tracked Amazon plastic packaging to see where it ended up after being delivered to one of the drop-off locations directed to by the label. 
WASHINGTON — A mere 9% of plastic is recycled in the United States each year. Plastic waste in our country grows unabated because the U.S. operates a patchwork of largely ineffective recycling systems that don’t create enough incentives for consumers and businesses to reduce their plastic footprint. …Lawmakers should shift the financial responsibility of collecting, recycling and reusing plastic packaging materials from consumers and municipalities to the producers of plastic products by establishing a national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy. Under an EPR framework, companies would cover the costs of recycling their materials and face penalties for using packaging that’s difficult to recycle or for not including recycled materials in their packaging. As a result, recycled materials would become more readily available and economical over time. EPR policies have already been adopted in multiple states, including Colorado and California. …Members of Congress should take these practical steps now.
Not exactly known for environmentalism, Staten Island will become a showcase of mass timber construction — if city officials can persuade a developer to try it. The city issued an RFP Thursday for someone to build 500 apartments using wood. Two 50-foot-tall buildings would go on city-owned land along the Stapleton waterfront on the North Shore, about a mile from the Staten Island ferry terminal. “This is the biggest opportunity to use mass timber at scale in the city,” said Melissa Román Burch, chief operating officer of the city’s Economic Development Corporation, which put out the request for proposals. Up for grabs are 99-year ground leases on two parcels just south of the Urby, a 571-unit residential project developed by Ironstate at 7 Navy Pier Court, where tenants can watch boats come and go from the Homeport pier that juts into the New York Bight.
Our planet is faced with both an environmental crisis and a housing crisis. There is, however, a sector that is overlooked as a viable, renewable and long-term solution to climate change and urbanisation. …less than 1% of new South African houses use timber as the primary construction material. By comparison, some 90% of new houses in New Zealand are made of timber. As a sector trying to promote the adoption of mass timber, we are faced with a long-held belief that brick-and-mortar is the only way to build homes, schools and clinics. There are many misconceptions, not least of which are strength, durability, fire safety, and cost. Mass timber uses technological advancements to engineer wood to have a stronger strength-to-weight ratio. …It’s been said that wood isn’t manufactured, it grows. From a South African perspective, the wood is sourced from sustainably managed tree plantations.
