Re: [GBlist] Wood: "recycled" and/or "rapidly renewable"?

[Pbsustain@aol.com]

In a message dated 12/31/2001 8:39:34 AM Eastern Standard Time, sleibowitz@earthlink.net writes:


> 1) Would finger-jointed lumber count as "recycled material"?  Has any
> one had any experience with this from particular manufacturers?  Is it
> simply an efficient use of the material or might one say that the short
> lengths are "post-industrial scrap"?


Hard to give a short answer. First, a large part of the sawmill industry is very inefficient. Most sawmill cut lumber to traditional lengths and anything under 4 feet is chipped, blown into trucks and sold for a paltry $10-15/ton. This is all automated. There are newer machines that can take these underutilized wood, finger joint it and produce quality solid wood. I believe that qualifys as post-industrial recycled content under EPA definitions.  see http://www.auburnmachinery.com/ 

In addition, some other machines can take broken pallets, deconstructed wood and remove paints, stains, nails, etc and produce interior finish wood (panelling, etc) which would qualify as postconsumer recycled wood. 

SustainAbility
Philip Bailey
9711 Gunston Hall Rd.
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540-891-2250