How to Recycle Wood
Untreated lumber, pallets, and clean wood offcuts that can be reused or recycled.
7 wood materials found
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Complete Wood Recycling Guide
Sustainable Resource
Wood is beneficial to recycle because it stores carbon and can be reused in many forms, from mulch to feedstock for biomass energy.
- • Untreated: Ideally recycled into mulch or compost
- • Treated/Painted: Often requires special handling or disposal
- • Pallets: Can be repaired, reused, or ground into chips
Environmental Impact
Recycling wood waste prevents it from taking up landfill space and reduces the need to cut down new trees for products like mulch.
Wood Recycling FAQ
Can treated wood be recycled?
Generally, no. Pressure-treated, painted, or stained wood contains chemicals that prevent it from being mulched or composted. It usually must be landfilled. Clean, untreated lumber is highly recyclable.
What happens to recycled wood?
It is often chipped into landscaping mulch, animal bedding, or boiler fuel (biomass energy). High-quality lumber can be reclaimed for furniture or flooring. Some is processed into particle board.