Wood is often used during renovation work. When aged pieces of furniture have become obsolete or old lumber is no longer used, the question of disposal arises. This depends on the chemical load on the material.
How can I dispose of leftover wood properly?
Various methods are possible for disposing of wood residues depending on the treatment of the wood: 1. Burn untreated wood in the oven or recycle it; 2. Dispose of painted wood via bulky waste collection; 3. Dispose of PVC-coated wood at a recycling center or specialist company; 4. Hand over exterior wood with wood preservatives to expert companies.
A I: Untreated wood
If it is natural wood that has not been treated with impregnating agents, paint or varnish, you can burn the material in the oven in accordance with the waste wood regulations. Such leftovers may end up in the residual waste in small quantities. Since it is a raw material, you should recycle it or sell it via online exchanges. In this way, the wood residues remain in the usage cycle and are not lost.
Examples of natural wood:
- pure Euro pallets made of solid wood
- ecological fruit boxes
- unpainted furniture
A II: Lacquered wood
Indoor furniture is painted and varnished for greater durability. Treated wood residues that do not contain any wood preservatives or organohalogen compounds may be disposed of in household waste in small quantities. Specialist companies use the material as fuel. Another option for disposal is bulky waste collection. Here you can also dispose of floorboards and doors or MDF and chipboard that are used for the back walls of cabinets.
A III: Wood with PVC coating
Many furniture is finished with PVC films because it is easier to care for. It gives old or worn objects a modern look. While films can be removed before disposal, PVC coatings penetrate the material. These organohalogen compounds consist of bromine, chlorine or iodine and are harmful to the environment. Disposal via the recycling center or specialist companies that thermally utilize the wood residue is necessary.
A IV: Exterior wood with wood preservatives
If wood remains from gazebos or windows are left over during renovation work, they must be handed over to a specialist recycling company. Hop poles, railway sleepers and firewood are contaminated with other substances such as pesticides, waste oil or soot and are considered highly hazardous to the environment.
Special category: PCB scrap wood
A special category in the Waste Wood Ordinance is soundproofing and insulation boards. Such residues contain polychlorinated biphenyls and may only be disposed of by special PCB disposal companies that have appropriate recycling facilities.
Tip
If you cannot assign wood residues to a waste wood category, classify them in the next higher class as a precaution.
