Second hand particle board

Second hand particleboard furniture is one of the main bulky waste streams in cities everywhere. Normally this material goes incinerated or landfilled, but good quality panels can be used for woodworking projects. They constitute an easily accessible reclaimed material, available in all cities.

Ask second hand shops or bulky waste collection organizations in your city for old furniture panels.

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The life cycle	Pro	Con
	Low footprint As a waste material, second hand particle board do not need land to be produced. Low Energy Used panels have already had a useful life. Therefore they require no energy to be produced.

	Low cost Second hand particleboard furniture is available for free in every city, or at a low cost online	Toxicity Particleboard contains formaldehyde resins. Dust from working with it is toxic so it is important to use proper protective equipment Show Alternatives » Alternatives materials that are non toxic Bamboo panels Bamboo stems OSB Scaffolding wood Softwood Time consuming Because it cannot be sanded and it might have scratches and imperfections, working with reclaimed particle board can be time consuming Show Alternatives » Alternatives materials that are quick MDF OSB Softwood Used pallets

	Non toxic Because off-gassing of formaldehyde happens mainly in the first 1-2 years from manufacturing, old particleboard is safe to use in homes and offices.	Short lifespan Particleboard lasts shorter than massive wood or plywood. It damages quickly with moisture, and it is less resistant to weight and scratches. Show Alternatives » Alternatives materials that have a long lifespan Northern hardwood Scaffolding wood Tropical hardwood