Basic Information about Wood Waste

Nearly six million tons of wood waste (e.g., urban wood waste, woody debris from suburban land clearing, and rural forestry residuals) were generated in 2003 according to the EPA. In fact, wood comprises the largest percentage of the residential construction and demolition materials (C&D) waste stream – approximately 40 to 50 percent of residential new construction materials – according to the National Association of Home Builders Research Center.

Prior to 1990, there was limited recycling of wood waste in the United States. Today, EPA estimates there are more than 500 wood processing facilities across the country.

Markets for recovered wood vary across the United States according to regional and local supply and demand. The current market, however, is dominated by mulch and fuel applications that pay between $12 and $24 per ton for processed wood. Wood waste from construction and demolition activities is attractive as a fuel because of its low moisture content. Processed or chipped wood is also used as a composting bulk agent and as animal bedding. Salvaged or reused wood products are the highest value items but typically require the highest costs for sorting and processing. In addition, recovered wood can be used to manufacturer value-added products such as medium density fiberboard and particleboard; these manufacturers demand high-quality feed stocks, however, which can be difficult to achieve on a consistent basis.

The demolition industry is well established and is increasing its efforts to recover wood waste. In addition, the deconstruction industry continues to grow and salvage an increasing percentage of materials from old buildings. Deconstruction efforts recover and reuse wood for flooring, doors, windows, and other applications. A number of independent lumber mills have retooled their operations to process reclaimed timbers, as well.

Federal and local air and water regulations provide an incentive for wood recovery by discouraging inappropriate burning or discarding of woody debris. A major barrier to increased wood recovery, however, is the lack of grade standards for recovered wood. These standards include grading rules, engineering properties, and a grade stamp. There is also a need for technical performance testing to investigate the structural integrity of recovered wood.

(http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/materials/organics/wd-basic.htm)

Household Hazardous Waste

Leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients are considered to be “household hazardous waste” or “HHW.” Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides that contain potentially hazardous ingredients require special care when you dispose of them.

Improper disposal of household hazardous wastes can include pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or in some cases putting them out with the trash. The dangers of such disposal methods might not be immediately obvious, but improper disposal of these wastes can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health. Many communities in the United States offer a variety of options for conveniently and safely managing HHW.

HHW Reduction, Reuse, Recycling, and Disposal Options

The options of reduction, reuse, recycling, and disposal-listed in order of EPA’s preferred waste management hierarchy-are all important tools to safely manage HHW. The following information can help you determine the best ways to reduce, reuse, or dispose of common household products that may contain hazardous ingredients. Each community is different, so check with your local environmental, health, or solid waste agency for more information on HHW management options in your area.

Benefits of Proper HHW Management

Reduction and recycling of HHW conserves resources and energy that would be expended in the production of more products.

Reuse of hazardous household products can save money and reduce the need for generating hazardous substances.

Proper disposal prevents pollution that could endanger human health and the environment.

Reduction at Home.Consider reducing your purchase of products that contain hazardous ingredients. Learn about the use of alternative methods or products − without hazardous ingredients − for some common household needs.

To avoid the potential risks associated with household hazardous wastes, it is important that people always monitor the use, storage, and disposal of products with potentially hazardous substances in their homes. Below are some tips for individuals to follow in their own homes:

Use and store products containing hazardous substances carefully to prevent any accidents at home. Never store hazardous products in food containers; keep them in their original containers and never remove labels. Corroding containers, however, require special handling. Call your local hazardous materials official or fire department for instructions.

When leftovers remain, never mix HHW with other products. Incompatible products might react, ignite, or explode, and contaminated HHW might become unrecyclable.

Remember to follow any instructions for use and disposal provided on product labels.

Call your local environmental, health, or solid waste agency for instructions on proper use and disposal and to learn about local HHW drop off programs and upcoming collection days.

Reuse, Recycling, and Proper Disposal. Permanent collection or exchange. See if your community has a facility that collects HHW year-round. Some of these facilities have exchange areas for unused or leftover paints, solvents, pesticides, cleaning and automotive products, and other materials. By taking advantage of these facilities, materials can be used by someone else, rather than being thrown away.

Special collection days. If your community doesn’t have a year-round collection system for HHW, see if there are any designated days in your area for collecting solid waste at a central location to ensure safe management and disposal.

Local business collection sites.If your community has neither a permanent collection site nor a special collection day, you might be able to drop off certain products at local businesses for recycling or proper disposal. Some local garages, for example, may accept used motor oil for recycling.

Disposal Options.Certain types of HHW have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers, contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets, and present hazards to children and pets if left around the house. Federal law allows disposal of HHW in the trash. However, many communities have collection programs for HHW to reduce the potential harm posed by these chemicals. EPA encourages participation in these HHW collection programs rather than discarding the HHW in the trash. Call your local environmental, health, or solid waste agency for the time and location of your HHW collection program. Also, read product labels for disposal directions to reduce the risk of products exploding, igniting, leaking, mixing with other chemicals, or posing other hazards on the way to a disposal facility. Even empty containers of HHW can pose hazards because of the residual chemicals that might remain.

(http://www.epa.gov/waste/inforesources/pubs/hw_waste.htm)

Recycling

Recycling turns materials that would otherwise become waste into valuable resources. Collecting used bottles, cans, and newspapers and taking them to the curb or to a collection facility is just the first in a series of steps that generates a host of financial, environmental, and social returns. Some of these benefits accrue locally as well as globally.

Benefits of Recycling.Recycling protects and expands US manufacturing jobs and increases US competitiveness.

Recycling reduces the need for landfilling and incineration.

Recycling prevents pollution caused by the manufacturing of products from virgin materials.

Recycling saves energy.

Recycling decreases emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change.

Recycling conserves natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals.

Recycling helps sustain the environment for future generations.

Steps to Recycling a Product.Recycling includes collecting recyclable materials that would otherwise be considered waste, sorting and processing recyclables into raw materials such as fibers, manufacturing raw materials into new products, and purchasing recycled products.

Collecting and processing secondary materials, manufacturing recycled-content products, and then buying recycled products creates a circle or loop that ensures the overall success and value of recycling.

Step 1. Collection and Processing.Collecting recyclables varies from community to community, but there are four primary methods: curbside, drop-off centers, buy-back centers, and deposit/refund programs.

Regardless of the method used to collect the recyclables, the next leg of their journey is usually the same. Recyclables are sent to a materials recovery facility to be sorted and prepared into marketable commodities for manufacturing. Recyclables are bought and sold just like any other commodity, and prices for the materials change and fluctuate with the market.

Step 2. Manufacturing.Once cleaned and separated, the recyclables are ready to undergo the second part of the recycling loop. More and more of today’s products are being manufactured with total or partial recycled content. Common household items that contain recycled materials include newspapers and paper towels; aluminum, plastic, and glass soft drink containers; steel cans; and plastic laundry detergent bottles. Recycled materials also are used in innovative applications such as recovered glass in roadway asphalt (glassphalt) or recovered plastic in carpeting, park benches, and pedestrian bridges.

Step 3. Purchasing Recycled Products.Purchasing recycled products completes the recycling loop. By “buying recycled,” governments, as well as businesses and individual consumers, each play an important role in making the recycling process a success. As consumers demand more environmentally sound products, manufacturers will continue to meet that demand by producing high-quality recycled products. Learn more about recycling terminology and to find tips on identifying recycled products.

(http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/rrr/recycle.htm)

30. Reduce & Reuse

Reducing & Recycling Organic Materials.The most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place. By reducing and reusing, consumers and industry can save natural resources and reduce waste management costs. Unfortunately, the amount of waste generated in the United States has been increasing. Between 1960 and 2010 the amount of waste each person creates increased from 2.7 to 4.4 pounds per day. This results in about 250 million tons of waste generated in the US in 2010.

Waste prevention, or “source reduction,” is the strategy behind reducing and reusing waste. By designing, manufacturing, purchasing, or using materials in ways that reduce the amount or the toxicity of trash created, less waste is generated and fewer natural resources are used. Reuse is often part of the waste prevention strategy, stopping waste at the source by preventing or delaying a material’s entry in the waste collection and disposal system.

Source Reduction refers to any change in the design, manufacture, purchase, or use of materials or products (including packaging) to reduce their amount or toxicity before they become municipal solid waste. Source reduction also refers to the reuse of products or materials.

Source Reduction and Reuse Facts.There are reuse centers in most communities, ranging from specialized programs for building materials or unneeded materials in schools to Goodwill centers and the Salvation Army.

The National Association for PET Container Resources, NAPCOR, reports that since 1978, manufacturers have reduced the weight of a 2 liter bottle by about 29%, from 68 grams to 48 grams.

Benefits of Reduction. Saves natural resources. Waste is not just created when consumers throw items away. Throughout the life cycle of a product from extraction of raw materials to transportation to processing and manufacturing facilities to manufacture and use waste is generated. Reusing items or making them with less material decreases waste dramatically. Ultimately, fewer materials will need to be recycled, combusted for energy, or landfilled.

Reduces toxicity of waste. Selecting nonhazardous or less hazardous items is another important component of source reduction. Using less hazardous alternatives for certain items (e.g., cleaning products and pesticides), sharing products that contain hazardous chemicals instead of throwing out leftovers, reading label directions carefully, and using the smallest amount necessary are ways to reduce waste toxicity.

Reduces costs. The benefits of preventing waste go beyond reducing reliance on other forms of waste disposal. Preventing waste also can mean economic savings for communities, businesses, organizations, and individual consumers.

Communities. More than 7,000 communities have instituted “Pay-As-You-Throw” programs where citizens pay for each can or bag of trash they set out for disposal rather than through the tax base or a flat fee. When these households reduce waste at the source, they dispose of less trash and pay lower trash bills.

Businesses. When businesses manufacture their products with less packaging, they are buying less raw material. A decrease in manufacturing costs can mean a larger profit margin, with savings that can be passed on to the consumer.

Consumers. Consumers also can share in the economic benefits of source reduction. Buying products in bulk, with less packaging, or that are reusable (not single-use) frequently means a cost savings. What is good for the environment can be good for the pocketbook as well.

(http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/materials/organics/reduce.htm)

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