Ateliers de l'Avenir - Repair, reuse, rethink: a circular wood project

This article is part of a series dedicated to exploring the journeys of the winners of Go Circular 2. In this series, we highlight the inspiring initiatives of these winners. New from used Already active in the design of customised wooden packaging (e.g. pallets, crates, etc.) and the repair of pallets, Ateliers de l'Avenir has a wealth of expertise. Thanks to this project, they are now replacing some of the damaged wood in pallets with boards and blocks (pallet feet) recovered from decommissioned pallets. A specific line has been set up to process and recycle the pallets collected from neighbouring companies. In this way, they aim to upcycle more than 500 tonnes of wood waste into reusable resources.

Nothing is lost, everything is transformed Each pallet collected is analysed, sorted and disassembled. Parts that are still in good condition are reintegrated into the repair process or resold as secondary raw materials to other local players. Any offcuts that cannot be reused are turned into wood chips to fuel a biomass boiler. The whole process is powered by solar panels installed on the workshops. Another possibility is for the offcuts to be used as raw material in the manufacture of wood fibre insulation for the construction industry. A project with local benefits From an environmental point of view, the use of reused wood limits the extraction of natural resources while reducing waste. Economically, the company is diversifying its sources of income (repaired pallets, by-products) and becoming more resilient in the face of market volatility. And in social terms, the sorting and repair activity generates sustainable, local and inclusive jobs. Les Ateliers du Monceau is an adapted work company whose main mission is to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities. Since their creation in 1985, they have been committed to helping deaf and hard-of-hearing people, offering them jobs adapted to their needs as well as an environment conducive to their personal and professional development beyond their disability. Overcoming challenges Identifying reusable wooden parts proved to be a major challenge. The solution found was to establish a rigorous observation and disassembly procedure, accompanied by practical sheets to guide workers in selecting reusable parts. As a result of this fieldwork, it is now possible to identify and classify materials for re-use more quickly and efficiently. Towards a circular future With this project, Ateliers de l'Avenir is demonstrating that the circular economy is also about common sense, local innovation and social commitment. It's an initiative that perfectly illustrates how a traditional sector can become a key player in the ecological transition.