Godahus and its Swedish partners are taking important steps toward more sustainable construction. Together with Linnaeus University and Kalmar Municipality, the team has prepared a pilot study under Future Baltic Bauhaus, focusing on developing reuse solutions for building materials. The pilot will run throughout 2025 and 2026 and aims to explore new circular approaches in the construction sector across the Baltic Sea Region.
Study Visits to Five Swedish Reuse Hubs
As part of the preparations, representatives visited five established reuse hubs in central Sweden in May 2025. The goal was to gain practical insights into how successful reuse operations are run and to study different business models for collecting, storing, and selling second-hand construction materials.
Over two intensive days, the team visited:
- Bygghubben, Linköping – a privately owned reuse hub.
- Lejonfastigheter, Linköping – an internal municipal reuse operation.
- Byggreturen, Örebro – a municipal hub serving both internal and external clients.
- Återbygget, Västerås – a privately owned reuse hub.
- ReTuna, Eskilstuna – a municipal company with limited focus on construction materials.
The study visits highlighted several key factors for running an effective reuse hub. These include suitable premises with sufficient storage capacity, efficient logistics, clear methods for collecting materials from property owners, and targeted strategies for marketing and sales.
Planning the Pilot Project
Based on the findings, the pilot will focus on two key areas:
1. Marketplace – Investigating the conditions for establishing a storage facility and marketplace in Kalmar for reusable building materials.
2. Demolition mapping – Identifying, classifying, and mapping reusable construction and demolition materials in collaboration with housing and construction companies in Kalmar County.
Circular flow-analysis of reused materials in the construction sector
The pilot will map out the entire value chain for the reuse of building materials — from collection and storage to marketing and resale. This framework will guide the activities planned for 2025 and 2026 within the Future Baltic Bauhaus project. The goal is to promote smarter use of building materials, reduce waste, and lower CO₂ emissions — setting a strong example for the entire Baltic Sea Region.