MDF pallets, according to our pallet recycling guy. Apparently normal pallets get fed into an enormous shredder and turned into garden mulch, but the glue holding the layers of MDF together gums up the works.
I’m not exactly a palette expert (I’m guessing many other readers aren’t either), but what’s the difference, and how can we average fools tell them apart?
The MDF ones are made of many layers of plywood, glued together. Lots of different wood shades. Looks like a sandwich. The others are actual wood, with one shade, grain and often rough edges because they’re not sanded down.
I’ve never seen any palettes made of plywood, but clearly they exist then. I guess that basically means that no plywood is good for compost or proper recycling, unless perhaps grinding up into particle board…?
MDF pallets, according to our pallet recycling guy. Apparently normal pallets get fed into an enormous shredder and turned into garden mulch, but the glue holding the layers of MDF together gums up the works.
I’m not exactly a palette expert (I’m guessing many other readers aren’t either), but what’s the difference, and how can we average fools tell them apart?
The MDF ones are made of many layers of plywood, glued together. Lots of different wood shades. Looks like a sandwich. The others are actual wood, with one shade, grain and often rough edges because they’re not sanded down.
Ah, I totally get you now.
I’ve never seen any palettes made of plywood, but clearly they exist then. I guess that basically means that no plywood is good for compost or proper recycling, unless perhaps grinding up into particle board…?
It’s safe for reuse, but probably not for recycling. I don’t know if it can even be safely burned.
Manufactured wood has glue in it - generally not safe to burn.
Just for info, you’re talking about plywood.
MDF is individual tiny fibres glued together and one uniform colour without layers
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/mdf-vs-plywood/
Still no good for recycling or burning!
Burning plywood or MDF is not recommended. The glue could release some toxic fumes.