Can I use these wood shavings for a brown input in the compost? I drill a lot of holes with self feeding drill bits in new construction housing and I’m in need of more carbon in the bin! I’m mostly kitchen scraps and grass right now. I’ve been waiting for the leaves to fall but then it dawned on me that I had all these wood chips I’m making about every other day at the job!
My concern is that I might not understand how these 2×4’s are manufactured and might not break down well or might have additives that I should avoid throwing in the mix. Unsure if any of the print on the lumber means anything regarding that.
I’m making sure to avoid bottom plates and so on because they are treated. But my thinking is that it’s just untreated pine sent through a wood planer. Let me know if I’m missing something!
by cbell416
10 Comments
Yum yummy says the composter!! Bring that to me!!
“SPF KD HT” refers to Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) lumber that is Kiln-Dried (KD) and Heat-Treated (HT). Pretty sure this wood is perfectly safe for even vegetable garden bed making.
It’s one of the best things you can add. I’m always on the lookout for wood shavings or sawdust from local mills. It breaks down even better.
As long as it wasn’t treated with boron or antifungals it makes a good ‘brown’.
Sawdust has always acted like pouring gas on a fire for my pile.
If its untreated wood with no adhesives, you should be fine. Wood chips from plywood, MDF, particleboard (all have glues) and pressure treated lumber should be treated as landfill material. If you aren’t sure, assume it’s “bad” and don’t use it.
The only other thing I’d mention is that there are some pests that can be transported in wood, so I probably wouldn’t haul in wood shavings/chips from a distant location, but if its already on site and in use, I wouldn’t worry about it. Definitely be wary of any paint, spray foam insulation, etc that might contaminate your chips. Otherwise, take advantage of this resource!
So long as it’s untreated wood then they’re essentially just very dry very clean woodchips, perfect for compost.
Heat treated means it’s safe to use in your garden.
Op is not the electrician on the job!
It seems like you have a handle on things, but I haven’t seen anyone else specifically mention LVL or LSL studs. Those are also engineered wood products and will have adhesives and other chemicals similar to plywood and OSB.
Are you just laughing the in face of the god of nitrogen???