How To Dispose of Treated Wood and Lumber

Table of Contents

• Complications with Treated Wood Disposal
• How to Dispose of Treated Wood and Lumber
  • 1. Reuse and Recycle
  • 2. Local Waste Facilities
  • 3. Professional Waste Removal Service
• Take Care When Disposing of Treated Wood

Treated wood is considered a treated article and is regulated by the EPA. This means that the chemicals used to treat the wood are registered as pesticides, but once the wood is treated, it does not have to be registered with the EPA.

Wood is treated with unnatural substances to preserve its structural integrity and to make it resistant to outdoor use. That's why knowing how to dispose of treated wood and lumber properly is crucial. You can't dispose of it like regular wood. You might face some complications when disposing of treated wood and lumber. Complications like the ones discussed below in this guide on "How to dispose of Treated Wood and Lumber."

Complications with Treated Wood Disposal

As I told you, wood is treated with chemicals that can harm the environment. There are many complications related to the disposal of treated wood. Some of them are given below;

1. You can't burn treated wood. That does not mean it cannot burn; you can burn it if you want, but that is illegal. If you burn treated wood, you put the "bad stuff" into the air—stuff like lead and arsenic. And trust me, you really don't want to breathe in that stuff.
2. So you want to compost it, then? You can't do that either unless you want poisonous plants growing in your garden. If burning treated wood releases chemicals in the air, then composting puts them in the ground. Since plants take their nutrients from the ground, they'll take in these toxic chemicals as well.
3. What about recycling it, then? I am afraid there is no good way to recycle it. You can reuse it, though, depending on its condition.

I think a landfill is the only place treated wood and lumber really belong. The landfill's underlying barrier prevents the "bad stuff" from the treated wood from escaping and finding its way into the environment, our plants, or water.

How to Dispose of Treated Wood and Lumber

Let's look at what you can do to dispose of treated wood and lumber.

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1. Reuse and Recycle

Assessing whether the treated wood can be reused or recycled is always good. You can do that by evaluating your situation and the condition of the treated wood. If it is still in good condition, it is better to repurpose the wood for projects like fencing and outdoor furniture.

If you decide to reuse it, ensure it is not in a place where food is handled, or your children will be playing.

2. Local Waste Facilities

If the wood cannot be reused, ensure that it is disposed of in a legitimate, designated waste management facility. These facilities can handle and process treated wood safely and ethically without harming the environment.

3. Professional Waste Removal Service

It may seem daunting to get rid of treated wood and lumber in an environmentally friendly way. Choosing a professional waste removal company like Discount Dumpster to get rid of the treated wood for you removes all the stress from you. It provides a sense of calm since the waste is being removed in an environmentally friendly way.

Take Care When Disposing of Treated Wood

The wood used outdoors is treated with chemicals to preserve its structural integrity and provide longevity. However, if these chemicals are released, they can harm the environment, putting you and your loved ones at risk. That is why knowing how to dispose of treated wood safely is crucial. The best option is to reuse it; if that's not possible, you should contact a professional waste removal service provider.

Discount Dumpster Can Handle Your Large Projects

So, you have a fence or a deck that you want to remove but don't want to harm the environment. Contact Discount Dumpster now, and our professionals will dispose of the treated wood and lumber in an environmentally friendly way.

Call Today for Your Heavy Duty Disposal! - (888) 316-7010