# What to do w/ waste Chipboard? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 2, 2005, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-w-waste-chipboard/319769 "2005-09-02T18:27:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![robz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac8455/32.png) [@robz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robz)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-w-waste-chipboard/319769/1 "2005-09-02T18:27:10Z")
I think thats the name for the cardboard stuff that cereal boxes are made from? Anyway my local recycler only takes corrugated card board not the cheezit box stuff. So most people around here just burn it in the back yard after it accumulates for a while. I do not want to burn it or toss it in the trash. Does anyone know if it will compost in a reasonable time? Ive tried ripping it into smaller pieces and sticking it in the worm bin, but not much seems to be happening to it. Thoughts, suggestions? thanks ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-w-waste-chipboard/319769/2 "2005-09-02T19:34:59Z")
We have a normal curbside recycling program out here. They ask that newspaper, corrugated cardboard and miscellaneous “waste paper” be separated. I take the cereal boxes and junk mail and whatnot and put them all together. If it’s waxed or plastic-coated I put it in the trash. Newspaper into a bag, cardboard flattened and bundled. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-w-waste-chipboard/319769/3 "2005-09-02T20:03:04Z")
I think it’s called boxboard. Chip board is more like plywood, but wekaer and cheaper. I don’t know if there’s much you can do besides putting it in normal trash if your local recyclong place doesn’t tale them. You’re right not to burn them, sicne it’s more than just paper in those things, and you don’t want those fumes in your air. ---
**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-w-waste-chipboard/319769/4 "2005-09-02T20:05:32Z")
FYI - “chipboard” is known as “particle board” in the US. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-w-waste-chipboard/319769/5 "2005-09-02T21:19:09Z")
Chipboard is a manufactured wood product made from “chips” of wood and glue pressed together. Particle board is similar except the wood is basically sawdust. Both are made from what in Olden Days were waste products at sawmills. They are cheaper and therefore less robust products than plywood. Particle board is basically ruined instantly when wet. Chipboard takes a few hours. I.e., they will become cardboard if you get them wet long enough, but they don’t start off as cardboard. Do _not_ allow anyone to put chipboard anywhere on the exterior of your house. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2005, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-w-waste-chipboard/319769/6 "2005-09-03T01:33:32Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Do _not_ allow anyone to put chipboard anywhere on the exterior of your house. It is actually a very good building material. It is much more insect and fire resistant than regular plywood. Care should be taken to insure it stays dry though, breathable housewraps work great. I have used it to build doghouses for years and all I have done is paint the product. My current dog sleeps in one I built about 15 years ago and it has held up just fine even though is exposed to the weather. All I used to protect it was a couple coats of good exterior paint. The insect resistant properties have also kept my dog relatively flea free too. Up here in the Northwest we call it OSB, oriented strand board. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2005, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-w-waste-chipboard/319769/7 "2005-09-03T01:56:05Z")
The stuff that cereal boxes are made from is generally called **paperboard**. Here’s an interesting PDF that popped up when I googled: [http://www.environmentaldefense.org/documents/532\_PaperboardReport.pdf](http://www.environmentaldefense.org/documents/532_PaperboardReport.pdf) I’m not crazy about the idea of using paperboard in your worm bin, as the coatings and inks are not always compostable. But when putting any kind of paper or cardboard in the worm bin or composter, pre-soaking it can help a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2005, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-w-waste-chipboard/319769/8 "2005-09-03T01:57:16Z")
> [@racer72](#): > > It is actually a very good building material. It is much more insect and fire resistant than regular plywood. Care should be taken to insure it stays dry though, breathable housewraps work great. I have used it to build doghouses for years and all I have done is paint the product. My current dog sleeps in one I built about 15 years ago and it has held up just fine even though is exposed to the weather. All I used to protect it was a couple coats of good exterior paint. The insect resistant properties have also kept my dog relatively flea free too. Up here in the Northwest we call it OSB, oriented strand board. OSB is a different product than chipboard or particle board (or MDF).