Certain process, technique, and management deficits are commonly found in micro- and small-scale wood processing and furniture making operations. These deficits can have serious adverse effects on short- or long-term business performance---AND, on the local environment and on community health and safety. Among the most significant areas where economic savings can be realized through cleaner production are management actions that address air pollution from adhesives, air pollution from coating materials, noise pollution, contamination of soil and water, generation of hazardous waste, and excess wood waste.
Addressing these deficits by adopting resource-efficient and cleaner production (RECP) processes, techniques, and management practices can reduce costs and improve business performance and, at the same time, avoid or minimize adverse impacts on the local environment and on community health and safety. RECP approaches generally focus on improving resource and production efficiency which saves physical and energy resources, time, and money needed in production—and results in less waste and pollution. This briefing supports the application of RECP solutions in these six key areas.
Resources
References
- EPA Office of Compliance Sector Notebook Project: Profile of the Lumber and Wood Products Industry (1995a). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). September. http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/assistance/sectors/notebooks/lmbrwdsnpt1.pdf.
- EPA Office of Compliance Sector Notebook Project: Profile of the Wood Furniture and Fixtures Industry (1995b). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/assistance/sectors/notebooks/wdfurnsn.pdf.
- "Improved Wood Processing Saves Money and Forest Resources." Winrock International http://www.winrock.org/volunteer/reed/ftf/mercury.htm.
- "Integrated Life Cycle of Wood: Tree Quality, Processing and Recycling." U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/research/rwud/rwud/rwud_4702.pdf.
- Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook: Wood Preserving (1998). World Bank Group. July. This handbook was prepared to update and replace the 1988 World Bank Environmental Guidelines. http://www.miga.org/documents/WoodPreserving.pdf.
- Sub-sectoral Environmental and Social Guidelines: Wood Processing (2010). European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). http://www.ebrd.com/downloads/policies/environmental/Wood.pdf.
- Environmental Health and Safety Guidelines: Sawmilling and Manufacture Wood Products Industry (2007). International Finance Corporation (IFC). http://www1.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/ce72a58048855ac48704d76a6515bb18/Final%2B-%2BSawmills%2Band%2BMWP.pdf?MOD=AJPERES.
This sector notebook provides a comprehensive assessment of the lumber and wood products industry. The publication is one of a series of sector publications published by the EPA and posted on the EPA Web site.
This is another of the EPA's series of sector publications.
This success story was culled from the Winrock Volunteer News and Information section of the Web site. The feature articles provide useful information about Winrock's volunteer projects.
This project description is structured as a government report. The scope of the project is national, but the themes addressed could be relevant to other countries that have a substantial wood processing industry.
This handbook can be downloaded, section by section, from the above Web site. The Industry Sector Guidelines cover 40 industries, including wood preserving.
This sector brief provides a comprehensive environmental and social guidelines for the wood processing industry. The publication is one of a series of sector publications published by the EBRD and posted on the EBRD Web site
This sector brief provides a comprehensive environmental, health, and safety guidelines for the sawmilling and manufacture wood products industry. The publication is one of a series of sector publications published by the IFC and posted on the IFC Web site
Other Resources:
- Best Practices in Wood Waste Recycling (1997). Clean Washington Center. http://www.cwc.org/wood_bp.htm.
- Susilo, Kasru and Achmad Djani. Cleaner Production Assessment at an Indonesian Plywood Facility: A Case Study (1997). Forum KMB Indonesia (Indonesian Pollution Prevention Roundtable). http://www.encapafrica.org/documents/Cleaner_Production_Plywood_fac.pdf.
- Environmental Guidelines for Planners: Wood Processing Works (2007). Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/xstd_files/Industry/Guideline/ea_wood.pdf.
- Code of Practice for Wood Processing Facilities (Sawmills & Lumberyards) (2012). Guyana Forestry Commission. http://www.forestry.gov.gy/Downloads/Code_of_Practice_for_Wood_Processing_Ver_2.pdf.
This note offers detailed and technical information on wood waste recycling as it relates to sourcing, processing and product manufacturing.
This paper discusses how cleaner production diagnosis and assessment was conducted for one of six plywood facilities, located in East Kalimantan, Indonesia.
This briefing offers information, guidelines, and conditions for environmental issues, associated with the wood processing industry.
This report offers detailed and technical information on the processes of wood processing, as well as the environmental, social, health, and safety requirements associated with operations.