'•'aste can occur in many ways. In its most obvious form it consists of log 
onds , veneer and plywood scraps and trimmings, cores, reject panels, and the 
like, that often find their way to the scrap box. Sometimes it exists in the 
form of a low-grade product that might have been a high-grade product were it 
not degraded because of improper cutting, handling, drying, gluing, and other 
improper operations. Sometimes it exists in the form of brash veneer, com- 
pression wood, or other naturally occurring defects that result in an 
inferior product. 
Some forms of waste in the primary operation are unavoidable, such as veneer 
roundings and trimmings and veneer cores, but these wastes can often be re- 
duced by refining the production operation. Other forms of waste can be 
eliminated entirely or reduced considerably within the limits of economy. 
Finally, the reduction of waste can be brought about by salvaging what might 
be considered waste in the primary operation and utilizing it for some 
secondary product. 
Reduction of v aste in the Primary Operation 
The first and most important step in a waste-reduction program is to adopt 
measures that will prevent the occurrence or reduce the volume of material 
that is normally considered waste. The operator should therefore analyze 
each step in the production process with this in mind. The following dis- 
cussion presents examples of how other operators have attacked this problem. 
The selection of logs by grades suited to the product to be cut from them is 
an important step in reducing wacte. Many high-grade logs are "butchered" 
into low-grade veneer under conditions that do not justify the practice. On 
the other hand, the cutting of low-grade logs in an operation geared to the 
production of high-grade veneer may mean a financial loss to the operator. 
The veneer operator who is cutting woods-run logs into veneer would do well 
to give some thought to costs, yields, and the selection of logs to suit his 
particular operation. He should examine the possible outlets for logs not 
handled to best advantage in this plant. 
Unwarranted waste might occur in logs that had been stored in a yard 
improperly or for too long a time. End checking and rot occurring under 
these conditions are preventable either by providing underwater storage for 
logs, or by using end coatings to prevent checking— and chemicals to prevent 
stain and dccay.H 
a certain amount of loss may result from the handling of logs with cant hooks, 
pike poles, and axes. Time taken to train men handling logs and peeling bark 
to wield their tools carefully so as to avoid damage to the outer portions of 
4 
""Forest Products Laboratory Report No. R1435. 
5 
Forest Products Laboratory Technical Note No. 225. 
Report V,o. r-1666-4 -2- 
