what is man-made wood?

Yeah the only "man-made wood" I know of is Trex where sawdust is mixed with plastic but FAIK it doesn't come in 2x4 size. Maybe particle board which disintegrates when wet but it wouldn't be used for 2x4 either. OSB (oriented strand board) maybe?

So what are we talking about?

Dave

Sounds like a Trex type product. Really need a manufacturer name, but i would not use it.
Not really long term well established testing and not used for soil level very often.
Garbage bags are not very organic either. They will eventually break down and become brittle and start to dust and shred.
- i do use plastics occasionally to warm a few beds, but would rather not bury it for a long-term liner.
Many of the fiber/glue type boards will break down and leach who knows what. The various products used to make such things may not be bad in solid form and used as intended, but once broken down and in contact with moisture can be very toxic...usually the dust that remains, or, as in construction, the dust when cutting on a table saw is harmful to the lungs.
Don't really know but would not want it in an organic environment.

I think we are getting overly persnickety about being "organic". Composite lumber, aka "man-made wood", is perfectly acceptable in a raised bed situation. If the Sierra Club endorses it, it can't be too bad.

Do the research - the info is out there to confirm this opinion.

Here is a link that might be useful: composite lumber for raised beds

I appreciate the link. I'm a bit out of the loop. Just a bit cynical about the whole recycle world.
An old acquaintance started a recycle city program with a few dozen volunteers. Snickered about how much money is in recycling, (with volunteers). Now driving a big SUV and a fatty himself.
Still snickering and lost his soul to all the cash.
The endless 'crafts' and bird feeder projects made out of plastic water bottles. The re-purpose fad. I don't have plastic water bottles. I don't have plastic grocery bags to make some crafty thing out of.
I do appreciate the good efforts by many, just a bit more awareness is needed about purchases and simple things like basic composting...that i learned in first grade 45yrs ago. And still the only one in my neighborhood that bothers. (free compost bins just around the corner at the community center)
Ya just gotta do a head spin when a big truck delivers water to to the neighborhood. Water!? Really? Cases of plastic bottles? This is NYC. Good water. A simple filter system is all that is needed if a concern is present.
Ignore my head-spinning. I've recently moved to a new clueless community that is bizarre.
Kids getting off the bus and tossing candy wrappers and soda cans in my yard.
I spent my youth in community service groups picking up the crap. Just wondering what has happened in some areas that missed the awareness train.