T14 Recycled timber, recycling/reusing, and environmental factors in making furniture (2–5 marks) · Industrial Technology Timber

T14 · Recycled timber, recycling/reusing, and environmental factors in making furniture (2–5 marks)

Fits: 2017 Q12 (2), 2022 Q14 (4), 2021 Q15 (5). Also 2024 MC6, 2024 Q12 · 216 words · 9 chunks

T14.1 · Recycled +Recycled timber is old, well-seasoned and stable, often from species that are now hard to obtain, and it has a rustic character customers value. Reusing it means fewer trees are felled and the carbon stored in the timber stays locked up instead of going to landfill.T14.2 · ShortagesTo address timber shortages, recycling means reprocessing waste (offcuts, sawdust, chips) into particleboard, MDF or fuel. Reusing means salvaging whole members, such as beams, floorboards and wharf timbers, for new furniture and flooring.T14.3 · Shortage linkBoth stretch the limited supply of new logs, which became tight after plantations were burnt in the 2019–20 bushfires and demand rose in the 2021 housing boom.T14.4 · SelectEnvironmental factors when making furniture: (1) timber selection: choose plantation, recycled or certified timber (FSC or Responsible Wood/PEFC) rather than illegally logged or rare exotic species.T14.5 · Waste(2) Economical use: plan sheet layouts and cutting lists to minimise offcuts, and reuse offcuts.T14.6 · Boards(3) Manufactured boards: choose low-formaldehyde (E0/E1) boards.T14.7 · Finishes(4) Finishes: use low-VOC water-based finishes and dispose of waste chemicals correctly.T14.8 · Life cycle(5) Life cycle: make durable, repairable products, transport efficiently (e.g. flat-pack), and design for disassembly and recycling at end of life.T14.9 · Waste strategyOne strategy to minimise wastage: draw an economical sheet layout or cutting list before cutting, so parts are nested together and offcuts are reused for small components (2024 Q12).

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