The United States generates about 136 million tons of construction and demolition (C&D) waste annually. Wood makes up 35.1 million tons (25 percent) of this total and only about half of this wood is recycled. Currently, all painted, stained or lacquered wood debris is landfilled due to concerns about hazardous materials contained in these coatings. Painted material makes up for the largest percentage of surface contaminated material arriving at C&D landfills and is, due to the presence of heavy metals, such as lead, in the paint film, also the most worrisome for the environment. Proposed research investigates the feasibility of removing such painted surface contamination. Cleaned wood fibers then can be used for the generation of energy or for the manufacture of other woodfiber-based products. Furthermore, it will allow the disposal or the recycling of the coating materials in a safe, responsible way.
