Thread: Sensitive Subject

A little bit of Googling revealed this, although it is unreferenced (could be BS):

Particleboard and other manufactured boards have had a very positive impact on timber resources, stemming almost entirely from the use of recycled materials. Seventy-five percent of particleboard manufactured in Canada and the US is constructed entirely from recycled materials. The remaining twenty-five percent of boards are constructed partially from recycled material and partially from virgin wood. These mixed panels have an average recycled content of sixty-six percent. This is still significantly more resource efficient than solid wood, even when considering that in many cases these panels will be covered with a thin veneer of virgin wood.

Europe consumes around 45 million cubic metres of particleboard and MDF every year. If solid wood were used instead of these manufactured boards, an enormous burden would be placed on the environment. It lessens the need for trees to be felled, while at the same time reducing waste.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particle_board

Modern particle board is now made primarily by combining discarded wood shavings, chips and sawdust with a strong resin and pressing the mixture into serviceable boards and planks.

The process of making particle board begins with real wood. Most particle board manufacturers use waste wood products collected from commercial woodworking factories, although some virgin wood may be used as well.
http://www.wisegeek.com/how-is-particle-board-made.htm

And from an Australian manufacturer:

Brimsboard is a close textured, high moisture resistant (HMR) veneered particleboard, faced with premium quality wood veneers. Qualboard is the same product but faced with commercial quality wood veneer. The board is manufactured exclusively from plantation grown Hoop Pine.
http://www.brims.com.au/brochure.htm

Thanx for the links Sebastiaan56, just what I was looking for!

My experience with chipboard flooring is all good. I have had it on the floor of my garage for about 18 years, it was the first generation of waterproof flooring and it has lasted well with no signs of it needing replacing. I would use it again with no qualms whatsoever. I put a two pack epoxy on it but I don't know what type.

Originally Posted by Geebung

I saw a lot of illegal logging going on while working in Borneo - very depressing.

I also saw a lot of legal deforestation to make way for palm oil plantations - just as depressing.

I was just reading your post about oil plantation's . Paper company's in Australia are taking a real hiding in Australia at the moment , due mainly to the fact that Woolworth's is now selling there own brand of paper , the Woolworth's select brand , imported from Indonesia from the same criminal's that are clearing the jungle's , for so called oil plantation's and was advertised as enviromently friendly , until they got caught , they then took all their brand of the shelve's , put sticker's over the offending statement's , then put them straight back on the shelve's . Cheer's MM This is just the tip of the iceberg.