Boom in the Refurbishing of Materials on Construction Sites

Paris – 02.06.2026: The trend toward refurbishing materials in the French construction industry is becoming increasingly established. Companies like Cycle Up have opened specialized workshops in recent years to collect, clean, and prepare materials such as sanitary fixtures, tiles, and sinks from demolition projects for reuse. This practice aims to reduce waste while offering more affordable and environmentally friendly solutions for construction projects.

Cycle Up, a company specialized in the reuse of building materials, opened its first refurbishment workshop in July 2023 in Noisy-le-Sec (93). Initially, production focused on sanitary items such as toilets, sinks, and ceramic shower trays, for which initial orders have already been received. Over the course of the year, the range of materials is planned to be expanded.

This development is supported by the introduction of extended producer responsibility (EPR) for products and building materials in 2023. This measure has encouraged the industry to better organize the collection, sorting, and processing of materials for reuse. However, the actual share of refurbishing compared to recycling remains low. In 2024, of the approximately 10.7 million tons of construction waste taken over by eco-organizations for recovery, only 29,000 tons were reused.

Despite these challenges, there are positive examples of the use of refurbished materials. The French construction group Acorus, for instance, has started using sanitary fixtures refurbished by Cycle Up in its renovation projects in Île-de-France. This is done in cooperation with clients such as social housing companies to reduce waste and decrease CO₂ emissions.

To further promote the reuse of materials, initiatives have been launched in various regions of France. In Bordeaux, for example, Bordeaux Métropole and seven partner organizations signed an agreement to promote the circular economy and reuse in construction. The goal is to transform construction waste into resources and fundamentally change how building and renovation take place in the metropolis.

Despite these advances, challenges remain. SEDDRe, the French association of companies for demolition, decontamination, and recycling, warns of declining ambitions among some clients regarding reuse. This is attributed to economic difficulties, rising costs, and uncertainties related to EPR PMCB. The association calls for a national mobilization to accelerate selective deconstruction and the reuse of building materials.

Overall, it is apparent that the reuse of materials in construction is on the rise in France. Despite existing challenges, progress is being made through various initiatives and partnerships to reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact of the construction sector.