This report presents eight case studies of successful urban wood waste recycling projects and businesses. These studies document the success of recovered products such as lumber and lumber products, mulch, boiler fuel, and alternative cover for landfills. Overall, wood waste accounts for about 17% of the total waste received at municipal solid waste landfills in the United States. In 1998, the amount of urban wood waste generated was more than 160 million tons, with 29.6 million tons available for recovery. Similarly, in 1998, new construction in the United States generated 8.7 million tons of wood waste, with 6.6 million tons available for recovery; demolition waste generated 26.4 million tons of wood waste, with 9 million tons available for recovery. The case studies were selected on the basis of the following criteria: an emphasis on partnerships among communities, businesses, governments, and non-governmental organizations; efficient use of funds; sustained creation of enterprise; and a high benefit/cost ratio.

This book deals with several aspects of waste material recycling. It is divided into three sections. The first section explains the roles of stakeholders, both informal and formal sectors, in post-consumer waste activities. It also discusses waste collection programs for recycling. The second section discusses the analysis tools for recycling system. The third section focuses on the recycling process and optimal production. I hope that this book will convey both the need and means for recycling and resource conservation activities to a wide readership, at both academician and professional level, and contribute to the creation of a sound material-cycle society.