Fig. 2 shows the typical waste generated by a company that produces
furniture in Gumushane. The waste produced during the cutting
of boards is in the form of fine dust, while those generated
during drilling and milling operations have a less dense structure.
As seen in Fig. 2, some businesses collect the wastes in a mixed
manner without sorting them at source.
Some businesses collect their wastes in the form of sawdust
using vacuum systems, such as that shown in Fig. 3.
Fig. 4 shows waste in the form of small pieces of board generated
after cutting MDF and particleboards. These pieces, which
are too small to be used in the manufacture of furniture, are left
after cutting out the sections needed. This type of wood waste
can be used to make new boards (Lykidis and Grigoriou, 2008).
Two major types of solid waste are generated during the processing
of boards in the manufacture of furniture: sawdust and
small pieces of boards. Half of the enterprises investigated in this
study utilised a system to collect dust. However, businesses usually
do not do so diligently. The most important reason for this is the
lack of available space and tools for collection (Fig. 2). Casares
et al. (2005) reported that specific technologies are required to collect
bulky wastes such as paper, cardboard, plastic, and wood.
The methods adopted to utilise wastes generated during the
production of furniture were determined and are shown in Fig. 5.
Wastes are basically utilised in three different ways. Individual
businesses usually prefer to adopt only one of these different
methods. Only one company stated that it utilises its wastes in
two different ways.