Wood is one material that can almost always be recycled. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 40 percent of wood from demolished buildings can be reused in new construction. Household items made from wood also can be reworked into new projects. Discarded wood furniture and scrap wood from construction projects need not end up in landfills. Think twice before tossing that broken wood chair; repurpose it yourself or donate it to a crafty friend.
Construction
Recycled, reclaimed and historic wood may be used in the construction industry as flooring and walls. Lumber from demolished buildings and old barns can be resawn and repurposed into planks for new construction. The aged wood, because it has been seasoned, is more stable than newly cut wood. The varying widths of the boards and the presence of old hardware can lend an antique feel to a new space.
Reclaimed wood timber beams may also be used to construct beams and support systems for new houses. Recycling the old wood timber beams into a new structure is an environmentally responsible construction method.
Garden Art
Recycle scrap wood into decorative designs for your garden or yard. Select wood that's already treated for outdoor use and your projects will have a longer life span. A coat of exterior polyurethane over the completed project also will help it last longer when exposed to the elements. Old picket-fence rails, leftovers from construction projects and pieces from broken furniture can become birdhouses, planters, birdfeeders, and a variety of other eclectic garden decor items.
Furniture
Recycle old wood doors into indoor or outdoor furniture for your home. The character of an old barn door is not lost as it becomes a focal point as your dining room table. Old doors often have hand-carved architectural features that stand out in any room. Hang one behind your bed to create a headboard. Build a bench at the base of an old door to create a hall tree for your foyer.
Old wood doors are not the only types of wood you can easily recycle into furniture. Any flat piece of plywood can become an occasional table or bench seat for your home or patio. Recycle table legs from other discarded furniture or stack stones or books beneath the board to make distinctive support beams. A broken wood chair can include several viable wood parts that you can use to make other furniture or craft projects. Chair legs, arms and back rails can be vertical supports or they can become decorative rails for a magazine rack. Wood chair seats can become tabletops or the canvas for an art project. Cut the chair seat into smaller sections and use the wood to make decorative wood boxes.
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