Lumber

Reduce | Reuse | Recycle | Facilities

How do I go green?

Reduce

Try to make the most out of each 2x4 or sheet of plywood. Make strategic cuts to avoid wasted scraps. This will save you money as well as reduce the amount of lumber you need to purchase. Remember that there’s a huge carbon footprint for each length of lumber you use. Many fossil fuel burning machines and vehicles were used to get that 2x4 to your door.

Reuse

Use left over scraps of wood for shims, packing material or other small projects. Keep a stash of small wood bits for repairs or renovations in the future. Compost smaller scraps of untreated, unpainted lumber at home or use them as kindling.

Recycle

In some facilities, such as Ellice Recycle Ltd., recyclable wood is converted to Refuse Derived Fuel or RDF, and is then used as an alternative fuel source. Some companies use RDF in their plants to generate eco-friendly power for production purposes.
Tip to save yourself some work: you don’t have to remove all the nails! At the Hartland Landfill, pieces of wood with small metal attachments such as door hinges, door knobs, dead bolts, nails and small spikes are accepted at the designated lumber bins in the garbage bin area.
Be aware that most of the lumber recycling facilities cannot accept creosote or pressure treated wood products or lumber that has lead based paint on it.

[See also: Christmas trees, pallets, lumber (clean), wood shakes, wood waste]