Although it may seem like a material that is not recycled as regularly as glass or paper, wood is one of the materials that is recycled the most and that can more easily carry out this process. The recycling of wood has many advantages and, in addition, it constitutes one of the simplest recycling processes that are carried out, since it is a physical process in which the introduction of chemical materials that would imply contamination is not necessary. enviroment. If you want to know a little more about this process and the advantages it has, as well as the importance of wood recycling In general, keep reading Green Ecologist and we will tell you about it.
Why is it important to recycle wood
Recycling of any material is important because recycling reduces the need and demand for first-use raw materials. In this way, whether it is paper, glass, plastic or metal, any recycling process involves both environmental and economic benefits. Also, in most cases, the recycling process is cheaper than the initial raw material production. In this sense, it must be taken into account that certain elements such as transport or environmental compensation that requires the extraction of first-use raw material make the process of obtaining raw material directly from nature more expensive. Because of this, recycling is presented as a better option in many cases. Although it is true that some materials, such as paper or wood, have a limited number of recycling processes (due to the fact that the fibers are degrading in each process), the use of these cycles until they are exhausted is always more profitable than disposing of the garbage from scratch.
One of the aspects that must be taken into account when it comes to the importance of wood recycling is that, by reducing the demand for wood thanks to the recycling and reuse of this material, avoids having to allocate more soil to plantations. Currently, at least in theory, although this is not always true, the wood used in most of the industry or household comes from plantations that are carried out in a controlled manner to produce this material. By reducing the amount of wood demanded by having recycled wood, it is avoided having to expand these lands, which allows that a greater amount of land can be dedicated to natural spaces, such as forests.
Recycling of used wood
Many people think that wood is not recycled or that if it is, it is on a very small scale. This is because, in our daily life, we do not have a "wooden bin" as in the case of the organic rubbish bin, the container bin, or the glass or paper containers. However, this is because wood is not widely used in homes. However, its use in the industry it is very common And, precisely because of this, this is where it comes from the largest amount of wood that is recycled.
In addition, it must also be taken into account that, although citizens do not have a "wooden bucket", they must take furniture and other household objects made of wood to the clean points. This wood waste that is collected at the clean points (both fixed and mobile) are managed in such a way that they can be recycled, so that, in reality, the recycling of wood is greater than it may seem at first.
How wood is recycled
One of the advantages of wood recycling is that, except in special cases, it is a pretty straightforward recycling. The first thing that is done when wooden objects arrive at the recycling plant is separate them properly. In this way, screws, hinges, melamine sheets, or any other element that is not properly said wood are eliminated. Then, when the wood is separated, it is crushed until it is manufactured sawdust or wood chips, which will be the raw material with which we will work in the manufacture of new wood that can be used in human activities. Afterwards, this sawdust or shavings they are mixed with glues or resins (They can be found both natural and synthetic) and the wood is shaped. Finally, this new wood is cut into boards, so that conglomerate boards are obtained that can be used for a multitude of functions, from industrial activities to the manufacture of furniture among many others.
On the other hand, it must also be taken into account that not all the wood that reaches the recycling plants can be recycled effectively. As usual, approximately 85% recycled of the total wood that reaches the plants. The rest, due to the fact that it is not viable for recycling, goes on to be used in other functions. In most cases, this non-recyclable wood is used as fuel in electricity generation through incineration plants. Likewise, another smaller part can also be used for composting, although it is a minimal use compared to the amount that is recycled and that which is destined for energy production plants by incineration.
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