Environmental impacts of wood composites and legislative obligations

Abstract This chapter considers the environmental impacts (both positive and negative) associated with the production, use and disposal of wood-based composites. The examples dealt with in this chapter largely discuss consider global warming potential, since this is the impact category which has the least uncertainty associated with it and it is the one over which there is the greatest concern. The environmental performance of wood-based composites is also considered. Particular attention in this regard is paid to volatile organic compound emissions from wood products and the legislative requirements surrounding this issue. The end of life of these products is also discussed, along with the relative merits of down-cycling of the products or incineration with energy recovery.

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