Best Ways to Recycle Used Lumber

Lumber is found in every part of the world today.  Most people know that lumber is made from trees and many things we use everyday is made from trees including paper, toothpicks and flooring.  Lumber is a natural product that is easy to recycle.  It can be used over and over without losing its strength, durability or natural allure. 

• Paint the lumber to give it a different look for a new project. 


• Donate used lumber to a local charity, school or church for community projects. 


• Cut studs to use as window frames or trim.


• Put it in a shredder and mix it with compost to make mulch.


• Take it to a recycling center that accepts lumber.


• Build a playground or tree house with used lumber rather than purchasing new lumber.


• Use it as framing for concrete forms such as driveways, sidewalks and patios.


• Offer the lumber to area school wood working classes for student practice and learning.


• Create support beams or provide additional stability to building projects.


• Call a local lumber yard to find out if they offer any natural recycling options for used lumber.


• Make door stops, paper weights or building blocks with used lumber.  You can paint your project to match any décor.


• Coat it with an exterior paint and use it to create landscape designs throughout your yard.