Wood Recycling

It is estimated that 4.5 million tonnes of wood was wasted in the UK in 2007, although it is thought that this will have decreased in the recent recession due to less wood being used. Whilst wood can be a sustainable resource, wood recycling still has a positive environmental impact. Wood recycling ensures that the waste does not end up in landfill sites where, as it is biodegradable, it produces greenhouse gases.

Household waste wood is usually from DIY projects or in the form of furniture. Business waste, on the other hand, mainly consists of packaging such as wooden crates and it is estimated that wood packaging waste alone is about 1.2 million tonnes each year. If you are a business with wood waste your local authority may offer a waste collection and wood recycling service. As a householder your local authority recycling centre may accept wood.

The reuse of wood should be the first option as this uses the least energy. You could sell you second hand furniture or put it forward for a furniture reuse project. In this case good quality used furniture is provided to people on low incomes. Take a look at the Furniture Reuse Network website to find your nearest project.

If wood cant be reused in some way, wood recycling can make the waste into a variety of products such as mulch, pet bedding, equestrian surfacing, chipboard or fuel. Wood recycling means that virgin wood is not required which uses more energy and water, less renewable resources than the wood itself. Dont forget that you can also buy products made from recycled wood, which reduces the need for virgin wood. Should you be purchasing new wood make sure that it is FSC certified

If you would like to find your local wood recycling centre or to search for recycled wood products visit WRAP

Source: www.wrap.org.uk 2011

For further information on Recycling click on the links below