Is the carbon stored in timber permanent?

Carbon stored in structural timber remains sequestered for the service life of the building — typically 60–100+ years. At end of life, the carbon outcome depends on the disposal route: reuse maintains sequestration, recycling into new products extends it, energy recovery releases CO₂ but displaces fossil fuel use, and landfill results in slow decomposition with methane risk.

Carbon stored in structural timber remains sequestered for the service life of the building — typically 60–100+ years. At end of life, the carbon outcome depends on the disposal route: reuse maintains sequestration, recycling into new products extends it, energy recovery releases CO₂ but displaces fossil fuel use, and landfill results in slow decomposition with methane risk. Designing for disassembly and reuse maximises the long-term carbon benefit.

Why this matters

This question relates to Carbon Footprint of European Timber vs Steel vs Concrete, which covers the broader topic in detail. Understanding this specific aspect helps architects, builders, and timber dealers make informed specification decisions.

For full context and additional technical detail, see our comprehensive guide:

→ Carbon Footprint of European Timber vs Steel vs Concrete

Related questions

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• What is the embodied carbon of structural timber compared to steel?
• Does timber have a lower carbon footprint than concrete?

About this answer

This answer is part of the PuurModulair Knowledge Base — comprehensive timber specification guidance for architects, builders, and dealers across the UK, EU, and Scandinavia.