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  1. Recovery, reuse and recycling by the United States wood packaging industry: 1993-2006

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    Author(s): Robert J. Bush; Philip A. Araman; E. Bradley Hager
    Date: 2007
    Source: Proceedings, Dean's Forum on the Environment - Virginia Tech. 172.
    Publication Series: Miscellaneous Publication
    PDF: View PDF  (125.29 KB)

    Description

    The packaging industry is an important market for wood materials, especially low grade hardwoods. Approximately one-third of U.S. hardwood lumber production is utilized in the production of pallets and containers. The industry recovers significant volumes of pallets and containers from the waste stream for re-use, repair, and recycling. Industry by-products (both wood and non-wood) are recycled for a variety of uses. The result of these activities is conservation of natural resources and reductions of materials in the waste stream. This presentation provides the results of a series of studies of the industry which began in 1992 and continue today. Among other findings, the studies have determined that the recycling/reuse rates of wood materials used by the industry are equal to or greater than those for many metals and plastics. In 1999, we estimated that 4 out of every 10 pallets purchased for use was a recovered, repaired or rebuilt pallet. This translated into the volume of wood from approximate 30 million 12 inch diameter trees.

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    Citation

    Bush, Robert J.; Araman, Philip A.; Hager, E. Bradley. 2007. Recovery, reuse and recycling by the United States wood packaging industry: 1993-2006. Proceedings, Dean''s Forum on the Environment - Virginia Tech. 172.

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