Solid Wood Recycling

When most people think of recycling, they think of paper, plastic, metal — almost everything but wood. But, as with paper, most major cities do have wood recycling programs that allow us to make the best possible use of our resources. Check your city listings under waste management or visit the American Forest and Paper Association's National Wood Recycling Directory.

There's also an encouraging trend toward the "deconstruction" of old buildings. In the United States, an estimated 235 homes are destroyed or undergo major renovations every year. With deconstruction, lumber, doors and other products are salvaged so they can be used again.

If possible, the best option is to re-use the wood to create other valuable products — turning wall panels into flooring, for example. If the quality isn't up to par, the next best thing is to chip the wood for particleboard or other composite products. Beyond that, the wood can still be mulched for landscaping or animal bedding, or burned for energy. The point is that the life cycle for solid wood shouldn't end after its initial use-any more than it should for paper or other materials.

- This information courtesy of www.forestinformation.com