Wood waste fuelling Bricks

This case study describes an industrial symbiosis project facilitated by the Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP) between Pallet Cycle, a recycled timber manufacturer, and Cabrico, a clay brick manufacturer. The partnership diverted wood waste from landfills to be used as a sustainable fuel and raw material in brick production.

• The Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP) facilitated a partnership in early 2020 between Pallet Cycle and Cabrico, resulting in the diversion of 4.6 tonnes of wood waste. This waste, consisting of off-cuts and non-salvageable timber from pallet remanufacturing, was used by Cabrico as a substitute fuel for its kiln and dryers.
• The use of untreated wood waste as a fuel and the incorporation of wood ash into the manufacturing process provided Cabrico with several operational and product benefits, including reduced costs for fuel and raw materials, increased brick strength, lower water absorption, and the production of lighter bricks with improved thermal properties. This process also reduced the company's reliance on virgin clay.
• The synergy between the two companies resulted in a reduction of 1.7 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing reliance on fossil fuels such as coal. Additionally, Pallet Cycle benefited from increased storage space for raw materials by removing waste from its site.

APA

GreenCape (n.d.). Wood waste fuelling Bricks. https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/WISPCase-Study_Pallet_Cycle_17_6_21-v2-3.pdf

Chicago

GreenCape. Wood waste fuelling Bricks. n.d. https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/WISPCase-Study_Pallet_Cycle_17_6_21-v2-3.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=GreenCape |title=Wood waste fuelling Bricks |url=https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/WISPCase-Study_Pallet_Cycle_17_6_21-v2-3.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greencapendwood, author = {{GreenCape}}, title = {{Wood waste fuelling Bricks}}, institution = {GreenCape}, url = {https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/WISPCase-Study_Pallet_Cycle_17_6_21-v2-3.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }