Where Can I Dispose of Treated Wood?

If you’ve been working with lumber, you’ve probably got some treated wood left over. Treating wood can significantly increase the shelf life of lumber. But what do you do when it’s time to dispose of it?

You might think it’s as simple as throwing it in the trash. Unfortunately, that’s not the case in the Bay Area. The chemicals used when treating it can harm the environment and people’s health. Find out where to dispose of it the proper way.

Dangers of Treated Wood

Wood by itself is not toxic, but the number of chemicals used to pressure-treat it makes it far more dangerous than it seems. One of the main chemicals used is chromated copper arsenate (CCA), a lethal chemical.

Lumber treated with CCA is so dangerous that the EPA classifies it as hazardous waste. If you don’t dispose of it correctly, the chemicals could leak into the soil or water table. 

Improper disposal, such as putting it in the regular trash or burning it, can cause a great deal of damage—not only to the environment but also to human health. 

Indeed, burning treated wood can create exposure to smoke and toxic ash. Health consequences can include hair loss, nosebleeds, fatigue, headaches, seizures, and even fatality in some cases. 

All these risks are why it’s crucial that you handle the treated wood disposal using the correct channels. 

What Can I Do With Treated Wood?

Sell It

If it’s the case that you’ve used your treated wood and finished with it, but there’s still some life left in it, you can sell it. A lot of people want scrap lumber for craft or home improvement projects. 

Rather than disposing of it in other ways and ending its usefulness entirely, selling it on is a great option. And the best bit? You can get some cash for it while you’re at it!

Repurpose It

Have you heard of upcycling? Not only is it great for the environment, but it’ll also help you out with your lumber problem! If you have leftovers, why not repurpose them into something new?

Just be sure what you’re repurposing it into is not for indoors, and you’re careful not to inhale the sawdust (a mask is a must!). Repurposing is a great way to avoid adding to the vast amount of waste the US produces yearly.

Give It Away

If you’ve tried to sell your treated wood, but to no avail, it might be time to consider giving it away for free. While not as lucrative as selling it, it’s still a better option than throwing it in the trash. And besides, helping out the community is sure to get you some good karma points.

Take It to a Hazardous Waste Facility

Due to the high amount of hazardous waste used across industries, it’s not uncommon to find a dedicated hazardous waste facility close to your home or workplace in the Bay Area, CA. Just be sure to verify the disposal facility is a Class A Certified Treated Wood Waste Facility. Utilizing this is a quick and efficient way to dispose of unwanted lumber. 

The only downside is that you may have to pay a fee and take it there yourself. 

Use a Treated Wood Removal Service

By far and away, the best option is to use a treated wood removal service. Professionals will pick up the junk for you and handle it properly.

At Nixxit, our hassle-free treated wood removal and disposal service comes to your door. We handle all the heavy lifting, transportation, and disposal. Simply make your booking, then sit back and relax—because it’s not your problem anymore.

The other benefit to using this service is knowing 100% that your treated wood is being disposed of safely and correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Some Common Types of Treated Wood?

Below are a few types of Treated Wood (TTW) that homeowners and businesses may have.

• Pressure Treated Wood (PT)
• Fence Posts
• Decking
• Sill Plates
• Railroad Ties
• Landscape Timbers
• Guardrails

How Long Does Treated Wood Stay Toxic?

Extensive research has found that treated wood generally stays toxic for its entire lifecycle, which can be up to 20 years. The risks are why it’s crucial to dispose of your treated wood safely, no matter how old it is.

Can You Burn Pressure Treated Wood?

Under no circumstances should you burn treated wood unless at an approved incineration facility. Burning the wood releases chemicals into the air that may be harmful or even fatal. It’s illegal to burn treated wood, and for a good reason. Safe disposal is the only option.

Need Help Getting Rid of Treated Wood? Call Us!

If you work with or have used treated wood in any way, the most important thing to remember is to dispose of it safely. Improper disposal is risky and could be illegal. Proper disposal methods keep the environment safe and the health of the people around it. While the chemicals used are great for extending the life of the wood, when it’s time to get rid, you must take the correct steps.

Call Nixxit for a junk removal service that will take all the stress off your hands and guarantee correct disposal. It’s quick, easy, and efficient. Get in touch now to find out more about our treated wood removal service.