Grades of Recycled Wood.
The Wood Recyclers' Association has developed the following grading structure for UK derived, non-virgin wood for recycling into products, feedstocks and fuels. It is the WRA recommended grading structure.
The purpose of the grading structure is to provide a simple and common understanding as to what grade of material is suitable for each main market sector.
It is not a set of specifications, nor a standard, nor is it intended to be included in contract documentation, all of which require more detail.
G |
Typical Markets |
Typical Sources of Raw Material for Recycling. |
Typical Materials |
Typical Non – Wood Content Prior to Processing |
Notes |
Grade A. "Clean" Recycled Wood |
A feedstock for the manufacture of professional and consumer products such as animal bedding and horticultural mulches. May also be used as fuel for renewable energy generation in non WID* installations, and for the manufacture of pellets and briquettes. |
Distribution. Retailing. Packaging. Secondary manufacture e.g. joinery. Pallet Reclamation.
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Solid softwood and hardwood. Packaging waste, scrap pallets, packing cases, and cable drums. Process off-cuts from manufacture of untreated products.
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Nails and metal fixings. Minor amounts of paint, and surface coatings.
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Some visible particles of coatings and light plastics will remain. Excludes grades below.
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Grade B. Industrial Feedstock Grade |
A feedstock for Industrial wood processing operations such as the manufacture of panel products, including chipboard and medium density fibreboard (mdf)
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As Grade A, plus construction and demolition operations and Transfer Stations. |
May contain up to 60% Grade A material as above, plus building and demolition materials and domestic furniture made from solid wood. |
Nails and metal fixings. Some paints, plastics, glass, grit, coatings, binders and glues. Limits on treated or coated materials as defined by WID.
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The Grade A content is not only costly and difficult to separate, it is essential to maintain the quality of feedstock for chipboard manufacture, and for PRN revenues. Some feedstock specifications contain a 5 – 10% limit on former panel products such as chipboard, MDF, and plywood. Excludes Grade D.
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Grade C. Fuel Grade. |
Biomass fuel for use in the generation of electricity and/or heat in WID** compliant installations
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All above plus Municipal Collections, Recycling Centres Transfer Stations And Civic Amenity Recycling sites |
All of the above plus fencing products, flat pack furniture made from board products and DIY materials High content of panel products such as chipboard, MDF, plywood, OSB and fibreboard.
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Nails and metal fixings. Paints coatings and glues, paper, plastics and rubber, glass, grit. Coated and treated timber (non CCA or creosote).
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Suitable only For WID installations**. Material coated and treated with preservatives as defined by WID may be included. Excludes Grade D
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Grade D Hazardous Waste |
Requires disposal at special facilities
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All of the above plus fencing, trackwork and transmission pole contractors. |
Fencing Transmission Poles Railway sleepers Cooling towers
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Copper / Chrome / Arsenic preservation Treatment Creosote |
Is a waste for W.M.Regs* requirements. Does require a special WID installation. |