The greatest impact likely to result from further research is in the area of recycling. Increased use of recycled wood fiber will allow the markets for wood-based composites to grow without increasing the use of virgin timber. Forest products industries will benefit from such research because less expensive raw materials will be available for producing high-quality composites. As part of this effort, the Forest Products Laboratory of the USDA Forest Service has formed a multidisciplinary team of government, university, and industry specialists to work on this problem. Wood Collection Start at the source.
Successful recycling starts with proper collection and separation.
Recyclable wood may be in several different forms and comes from diverse sources. Dimensional lumber, which is made from softwoods, may be mixed with particle board. Pallets, which are usually made from hardwoods, may be mixed with tree trimmings. Paper products are also often mixed. Wood may be in the form of sawdust or large beams.