[USCC] composting plywood

Tue Aug 29 15:53:57 CDT 2006

I have seen little effect on the process from composting engineered wood
products (including plywood).  The glues used today in these wood products
are usually urea formaldehyde resins.  Formaldehyde can be biodegraded to
formic acid and methanol and the urea is a good nitrogen source.  Mix ratios
should be adjusted to reflect the lower C:N of the woody material.

Several years ago, the NC Dept. of Environment monitored formaldehyde
content of finished compost from the composting of waste wood from a door
manufacturer and found no issues of concern to public health.  

Regards,
Craig

Craig Coker
Coker Composting & Consulting
3331 Glade Creek Blvd.
Ste. 7
Roanoke, VA  24012
(540) 904-2698
Fax: (540) 904-6732
Cell: (540) 874-5168
craigcoker at cox.net
www.cokercompost.com

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at composter.com [mailto:compost-bounces at composter.com]
On Behalf Of frank
Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 4:33 PM
To: US Composting Council Compost Discussion List
Subject: [USCC] composting plywood

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 From David Schellinger

I have a compost producer who would like to find out about toxicities in 
composts and/or the affect of chemicals in glues from plywood during and 
after composting.  If only a small amount of untreated plywood was 
composted, are the glues expected to be biodegradable or toxic to 
microorganisms, and would the end product be safe?  I appreciate the 
assistance.

-- 
Frank Shields
Soil Control Lab
42 Hangar way
Watsonville, CA  95076
(831) 724-5422 tel
(831) 724-3188 fax
frank at compostlab.com
www.compostlab.com

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