Old laminate worktops after a rip-out – reusable or scrap?

[Ann-Nunu]

Hi all,

I'm a Master's student researching what happens to old kitchen worktops after a refit and whether they could be reused instead of going in the skip. You're the people who see this every day, so I'd really value your view.

Please vote in the poll, and if you have a minute, reply with a quick answer to any of these:

 

[Wayners]

I've never seen them reused.
You can wrap old worktops or tile but either has never been popular.
I'm yet to see a capped one or resign poured over.
Most replace as not expensive

 

[Deluks]

They just get binned, unless someone wants a bit for a bench in the shed or something.
The biggest waste is the offcut, as they are usually sold in 3m or 4m lengths, offcut goes in the skip without ever having seen a sandwich.
Even though they are made from recycled wood it's still a wasteful process.

 

[flameport]

what happens to old kitchen worktops after a refit

They are thrown in a skip.
People removing old kitchens are doing it in the fastest way possible, which means most of it gets destroyed even if it wasn't already worn out and destroyed from use.

 

[blup]

I've seen several brand new kitchens gutted because the new owners don't like the style. In fact a new kitchen doesn't automatically add significant value to a high end property because the first thing the owners do is gut the old kitchen and bathroom.