NOVELTY - Oxidizing a lignocellulosic material non-enzymatically comprises generating reactive oxygen species capable of oxidizing the lignocellulosic material by contacting a redox cycling chelator with an oxygen-containing oxidant and a transition metal species; and contacting lignocellulosic material with the reactive oxygen species.    USE - The method is useful for oxidizing a lignocellulosic material. The product is used in composite materials and adhesives.    ADVANTAGE - The method is less expensive and more environmentally friendly.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for:    (1) forming a lignocellulosic material composite article as above; and applying enough heat and pressure to the oxidized lignocellulosic material to form the lignocellulosic material composite article;    (2) a lignocellulosic material oxidizing system, comprising:    (a) a lignocellulosic material;    (b) a transition metal species;    (c) a redox cycling chelator; and    (d) an oxygen-containing oxidant capable of generating an oxygen species after contacting the transition metal species and redox cycling chelator, the oxygen species being reactive enough to cause oxidation of the lignocellulosic material;    (3) degrading an organic waste compound that is not halogenated phenolic and is not a polysaccharide, comprising:    (a) generating a reactive oxygen species capable of degrading the organic waste compound by contacting a redox cycling chelator with an oxygen-containing oxidant and a transition metal species; and    (b) contacting the organic waste compound with the reactive oxygen species, degrading the organic waste compound; and    (4) a method of preparing an adhesive formulation, comprising:    (a) generating a reactive oxygen species capable of oxidizing a phenoxy subunit-containing organic compound by contacting a redox cycling chelator with an oxygen-containing oxidant and a transition metal species; and    (b) contacting the phenoxy subunit-containing organic compound with the reactive oxygen species, preparing the adhesive formulation.