How to Recycle Wood
EPA 2018: about 18.1 million tons of wood in US MSW, with 3.1 million tons (17.1%) recycled, mostly pallets chipped for mulch or bedding. C&D wood is separate: 40.8 million tons generated, 29.6 million landfilled. Clean untreated wood can be reused or ground; treated and painted wood cannot.
Hardwood Flooring
Plywood & OSB
Wood Pallets
Untreated Scrap Wood
Engineered Wood Products
Wood Chips & Sawdust
Bamboo Products
Find wood recycling centers
Browse recycling listings for wood, then contact a facility to confirm what it accepts.
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.