Recycled wood used for Papal stands

Three containers full of oriented strand board material were used to cover the three grandstands being used during this weekend's Papal visit.

The OSB material is an engineered sheeting panel developed from layers of recycled wood strands about one centimetre wide by 15 centimetres long. The material is pressed under heated pressure to form a panel.

Over 3,000 sheets of this recycled chipboard were used for the construction of all three stages - the Granaries in Floriana, Valletta Waterfront and Rabat, in front of St Paul's church.

The design concept laid emphasis on the use of recycled material wherever possible. Even the seating where most of Church dignitaries and the clergy will sit is made of recycled cardboard.