The Use of Wood Composites as Building Materials for Sustainable Development

Abstract

The escalating environmental and human impact of indiscriminate wood waste disposal from the wood industry necessitates sustainable solutions. This study explores the utilization of wood cement composites as building materials to address this issue. Recycling wood waste into value-added composites offers the potential to alleviate pressure on diminishing forest resources, mitigate environmental pollution, and foster economic growth. The production of environmentally friendly wood composites for low-cost building components is investigated, emphasizing their applications in housing infrastructure, interior decoration, furniture manufacturing, and industrial needs. However, the challenge lies in the substantial binder requirement, constituting a significant portion of manufacturing costs. To address this, various binders, both organic and inorganic, have been employed, with a focus on reducing the use of formaldehyde due to its hazardous nature. This study particularly explores the incorporation of
polystyrene-based resin as an alternative binder, derived from discarded polystyrene packaging materials, aiming to enhance composite properties while reducing toxic emissions. The research examines the strength and sorption properties of wood composites from specific Nigerian wood species, namely Albizia zygia and Cordia millenii, comparing conventional water-based resin and polystyrene as bonding agents. Results indicate distinctive characteristics in composites bonded with polystyrene, suggesting improved interfacial bonding and potential benefits in terms of strength and moisture resistance.