How to Recycle Plywood & OSB
Engineered wood panels including plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), particleboard, and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) from construction, furniture, and manufacturing applications. These composite wood products contain adhesives and binders that limit recycling options compared to solid lumber, though they can be processed into biomass fuel or used in specialized applications.
- 1Remove all metal fasteners, brackets, and hardware components
- 2Separate plywood from OSB, particleboard, and MDF materials
- 3Check for contamination from paint, stains, or chemical treatments
- 4Remove any attached drywall, insulation, or non-wood materials
- 5Sort by thickness and grade - structural panels separate from underlayment
- 6Identify and separate marine-grade or pressure-treated panels
- 7Bundle by size and type for efficient transport and processing
- 8Document original use (subfloor, sheathing, furniture) for proper handling
- 9Remove any laminate, veneer, or decorative surface treatments
- 10Keep materials dry to prevent delamination and mold growth
- Construction and demolition waste processing facilities
- Biomass power plants accepting engineered wood materials
- Specialized particleboard and composite manufacturers
- Agricultural operations using processed panels for animal bedding
- Wood waste processing facilities with grinding capabilities
- Municipal solid waste facilities with wood separation programs
- Industrial absorbent manufacturers using processed wood fiber
- Some sawmills accepting clean engineered wood panels
- Reuse centers accepting panels in good structural condition
- DIY and craft communities for workshop and project materials
IMPORTANT: Engineered wood products contain formaldehyde-based adhesives that may cause respiratory irritation during processing. Older panels (pre-1985) may contain urea-formaldehyde causing higher emissions. Marine-grade plywood often contains waterproof adhesives requiring specialized handling. Never burn engineered wood products - adhesives release toxic compounds including formaldehyde and phenols. Some facilities may not accept certain grades due to adhesive contamination.
Plywood and OSB recycling faces challenges due to adhesive content, limiting traditional wood recycling options. However, processing into biomass fuel prevents 2.3 tons CO2 emissions per ton by offsetting fossil fuels. Manufacturing one ton of plywood requires 2.2 tons of wood fiber plus energy-intensive pressing and adhesive application. Current recycling rates are low (15-20%) due to technical challenges, wasting valuable wood fiber. When recycled properly, engineered wood can become particleboard, mulch, or industrial absorbents, extending material life beyond single use.
- Reuse as workshop surfaces, temporary flooring, or construction forms
- Convert to furniture, storage solutions, and DIY project materials
- Use as underlayment for flooring or roofing applications
- Donation to schools, community workshops, and maker spaces
- Processing into landscape mulch for non-food garden applications
- Industrial applications as absorbent material for spill cleanup
Accepted
- Clean plywood sheets in various thicknesses and grades
- OSB (Oriented Strand Board) panels from construction applications
- Particleboard and chipboard from furniture and cabinet applications
- MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) panels without laminate surfaces
- Structural sheathing and subflooring panels
- Workshop-grade plywood and project materials
- Clean cabinet-grade plywood and furniture components
Not Accepted
- Panels with asbestos-containing components or backing materials
- Heavily painted or stained panels with unknown chemical content
- Fire-retardant treated panels (contain toxic chemicals)
- Panels with attached vinyl, carpet, or synthetic surface materials
- Water-damaged panels with mold, rot, or delamination
- Panels contaminated with oils, solvents, or hazardous chemicals
- Formaldehyde-based adhesives in plywood and particleboard manufacturing
- Urea-formaldehyde resins in older panels causing ongoing emission concerns
- Phenol-formaldehyde adhesives in structural plywood applications
- Potential asbestos in very old panels or backing materials
- Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) in some OSB applications
What's the difference between plywood, OSB, and particleboard?
Plywood uses thin wood veneers glued in alternating grain directions for strength. OSB uses larger wood strands oriented in layers. Particleboard uses small wood particles and chips. Each has different structural properties, adhesive content, and recycling challenges.
Why can't engineered wood be recycled like solid lumber?
The adhesives (formaldehyde, phenol-based) contaminate traditional wood recycling processes and can't be easily separated from wood fiber. These chemicals limit the material to biomass fuel or specialized composite manufacturing rather than lumber production.
Is it safe to cut or sand plywood and OSB?
Always use respiratory protection when cutting engineered wood - formaldehyde and wood dust are respiratory irritants. Work in well-ventilated areas and consider N95 or better filtration. Older panels may contain higher formaldehyde levels requiring extra precautions.
Can water-damaged plywood or OSB be recycled?
Water damage often causes delamination and potential mold growth, making panels unsuitable for recycling. Severely damaged panels should be disposed of as waste rather than recycled to prevent contamination of processing equipment and products.
What happens to recycled plywood and OSB?
Most becomes biomass fuel for power generation due to adhesive contamination. Some high-grade material can be processed into new particleboard or industrial products. The wood fiber value is retained even when traditional lumber recycling isn't possible.
Are newer engineered wood products more environmentally friendly?
Modern panels use lower-emission adhesives and often include recycled content. However, they still contain synthetic binders limiting end-of-life options. Solid lumber remains more environmentally sustainable due to easier recycling and longer service life potential.
How should I handle marine-grade or exterior-rated plywood?
Marine plywood contains waterproof adhesives that may be more chemically stable but still prevent traditional recycling. These panels are often suitable for reuse applications due to their durability but require biomass processing when beyond repair.
What's the best way to determine if engineered wood panels are worth salvaging?
Check for structural integrity, minimal water damage, clean surfaces without contamination, and standard dimensions. Thick panels (1/2 inch+) have higher reuse value. Document thickness, grade stamps, and intended use to help potential recipients.