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Industry Report 2026: Reuse – How ready is the construction industry?

After several years of low levels of residential construction, signs of recovery are now emerging, making the choice of building materials for new homes particularly relevant. Byggvarubedömningen has just published its report Reuse: How Ready Is the Construction Industry?, which reveals strong consumer interest in reused building materials. Four out of five Swedes say they would be positive about living in a newly built home that incorporates reused materials.

At the same time, the report highlights concerns about environmental and health risks. A total of 87% of respondents express some or significant concern, particularly about the presence of hazardous substances, moisture and mould. Furthermore, approximately one-third of respondents are unaware that older building products may contain substances that are now prohibited.

"There is strong support for reuse, but the report also shows that trust cannot be taken for granted. When so many people are unaware that older building products may contain substances that are now prohibited due to health and environmental risks, it becomes clear just how important traceability and verification are. These are issues that Byggvarubedömningen has been working with for 20 years."

Marianne Balck, environmental toxicologist at Byggvarubedömningen

Although reuse is widely recognised as an important part of the construction industry's transition towards lower climate impacts, the report shows that its environmental benefits are not equally clear to everyone. Only one-third of respondents believe that reused building materials are always better for the environment.

The report also reveals a clear difference between the perspectives of the general public and the construction industry. While public concerns primarily focus on safety and quality, such as ensuring that materials are free from hazardous substances, the industry faces another major challenge: the economics of reuse.

 

About the report

The report is based on two surveys: one conducted among Byggvarubedömningen's members and another targeting the general public.

The public survey was conducted by Norstat on behalf of Byggvarubedömningen. It consisted of a quantitative online questionnaire with 505 respondents. Data was collected between 7 and 17 May 2026.

The member survey was conducted by Byggvarubedömningen and targeted the organisation's member companies.

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