How to Recycle Doors
Interior and exterior doors including solid wood, hollow core, metal, fiberglass, and composite materials from residential and commercial buildings. Door recycling offers excellent reuse potential through architectural salvage while individual materials (wood, metal, glass) can be processed separately, though painted doors from pre-1978 construction require special handling due to lead content.
- 1Remove all hardware including hinges, handles, locks, and door closers using appropriate tools
- 2Separate different door materials - solid wood, hollow core, metal, fiberglass, glass panels
- 3Assess condition for reuse potential - architectural salvage values high-quality doors
- 4Check age and paint condition - pre-1978 doors likely contain lead requiring special handling
- 5Remove weatherstripping, thresholds, and door frame components
- 6Document door dimensions, style, and hardware for resale or donation purposes
- 7Clean doors of dirt, grime, and removable finishes to improve value
- 8Sort by material type for appropriate recycling streams
- 9Package carefully to prevent damage during transport to recycling facilities
- 10Test functionality - working doors have much higher reuse value
- Architectural salvage operations specializing in historic and high-quality doors
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepting functional doors in good condition
- Wood recycling facilities processing solid wood doors into mulch or chips
- Scrap metal dealers accepting metal door frames and hardware
- Construction and demolition waste facilities with material separation
- Specialty door and millwork companies offering restoration services
- Building material exchanges and salvage cooperatives
WARNING: Doors from homes built before 1978 likely contain lead-based paint requiring EPA-certified removal and hazardous waste disposal. Never sand or burn painted doors without testing for lead. Solid wood doors have highest reuse value, while hollow core and composite doors have limited recycling options. Metal doors and frames are valuable for scrap recycling.
Door reuse through architectural salvage provides maximum environmental benefit by avoiding manufacturing of new materials. Wood doors can be recycled into mulch or biomass fuel when reuse isn't possible. Metal components (steel, aluminum) offer high recycling value with significant energy savings - steel recycling saves 60% energy vs. virgin production. However, composite and fiberglass doors present disposal challenges.
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore donation for functional doors
- Architectural salvage companies specializing in period-appropriate materials
- Creative reuse projects including furniture, room dividers, and art
- Local theater groups for set construction and prop applications
- Building material exchanges and community reuse programs
- DIY projects converting doors to tables, headboards, or decorative elements
Accepted
- Solid wood interior and exterior doors in reusable condition
- Metal doors including steel, aluminum, and specialty security doors
- Glass panels and door lights suitable for reuse or glass recycling
- Door hardware including hinges, handles, locks, and specialty hardware
- Hollow core doors for wood fiber recycling when reuse isn't viable
- Antique or historic doors with architectural significance
- Commercial doors including fire doors and specialized applications
Not Accepted
- Doors with extensive lead paint contamination requiring hazmat disposal
- Severely damaged, warped, or structurally compromised doors
- Doors contaminated with mold, chemicals, or hazardous materials
- Complex electronic doors with integrated security or access systems
- Fiberglass doors with unknown composite materials
- Doors with asbestos-containing materials or components
- Fire doors that no longer meet safety certifications
Estimated value: Architectural salvage $50-500+ per door for quality pieces, scrap metal $0.08-0.15 per pound for steel, wood recycling $5-15 per ton, avoided disposal fees $40-80 per ton
- Lead-based paint on pre-1978 doors requiring specialized removal and disposal
- Asbestos-containing materials in some older door construction
- Mercury content in some older door hardware and switches
- Unknown composite materials in fiberglass and manufactured doors
What makes a door valuable for architectural salvage?
Solid wood construction, unique architectural details, historic significance, high-quality hardware, good structural condition, and standard or custom sizes that fit modern applications. Antique doors with original hardware command premium prices.
How do I test if my old door contains lead paint?
Use EPA-approved lead test kits available at hardware stores, or hire certified professionals for testing. Doors from homes built before 1978 have high probability of lead content and should be handled with proper safety precautions.
Can hollow core doors be recycled effectively?
Hollow core doors have limited recycling value due to mixed materials (thin wood veneer, cardboard honeycomb, adhesives). Some facilities accept them for wood fiber recovery, but reuse applications are limited due to structural weaknesses.
What's the best way to remove door hardware for recycling?
Use appropriate screwdrivers and tools to avoid damage, organize hardware by type and material, clean components to improve value, and consider selling vintage or specialty hardware separately as it may be more valuable than scrap metal.
Are fiberglass doors environmentally friendly to dispose of?
Fiberglass doors present disposal challenges due to composite construction and unknown chemical content. They're not readily recyclable and may require special disposal. Reuse when possible, or check with facilities accepting composite materials.
How much value is there in door hardware recycling?
Quality brass, bronze, or specialty hardware can be quite valuable - sometimes worth more than the door itself. Standard steel hardware has modest scrap value ($0.08-0.15/lb), but vintage or architectural hardware may bring premium prices.
What should I do with fire doors or security doors?
Fire doors that no longer meet certifications cannot be reused for fire protection but may have value for non-fire applications. Security doors often contain valuable metals. Check with specialized recyclers familiar with these applications.
Can I donate doors that need minor repairs?
Many organizations like Habitat ReStore accept doors needing minor repairs, as they often have volunteers or buyers who can restore them. Clean, functional doors with minor issues are often more desirable than severely damaged ones.
What's the environmental impact of door manufacturing vs. reuse?
Door manufacturing is resource-intensive, especially for solid wood doors requiring tree harvesting and processing. Reuse eliminates manufacturing impact entirely, while recycling saves energy in material recovery. Architectural salvage provides maximum environmental benefit.
How should contractors handle door replacement waste?
Evaluate doors for reuse potential first, remove and organize hardware separately, coordinate with architectural salvage for valuable pieces, separate materials for appropriate recycling streams, and document disposal for environmental compliance reporting.