The province of Utrecht will replace 5.5 kilometers of wooden sheet piles with steel sheet piles along the Eem in the coming years. The province and Water Authority Vallei and Veluwe will reuse the sheet piles from the Eem in other projects. This way, we give the sheet piles a second life.
During the renewal of the sheet piles along the Eem, approximately 1.3 kilometers of sheet piles are replaced each year. The wood that is released is surprisingly still in good quality after about 40 years. The province of Utrecht and Water Authority Vallei and Veluwe give this material a second life in other hydraulic engineering projects. By giving the wood a second life, we contribute to our joint ambition: we strive for a circular society by 2050.
Carefully removed from the water
When replacing the sheet piles, contractor Van den Biggelaar Grond- en waterbouw carefully removes the old sheeting from the water. The wood is bundled into large packages and distributed between the water authority and the province of Utrecht. The lower part of the sheet pile – about 4.10 meters – is still in excellent condition and will be reused in new projects.
New destinations
Examples of reuse include as sheet piles in the Oude Rijn near Woerden and in making a soil retention along the N210 near IJsselstein and Lopik. The Water Authority Vallei and Veluwe also uses the wood in its own projects, such as the sheeting of the weir at Vorchten and the Eektermerksluis at Elburg. A small part of the wood goes to the Koggewerf in Kampen, where volunteers made three benches from the wood. These have been placed at a support point of the province of Utrecht, the headquarters, and a management location of the water authority.
By working smartly together and reusing materials locally, we give this wood a second life. This makes circularity visible and tangible – in the landscape and in public spaces.
For press information:
jeffrey.tijdhof@provincie-utrecht.nl
06 39 63 22 46