Treated Wood Illegal in Garbage & Drains Hazardous Waste Treated wood can be dropped off at the Western Regional Sanitary Landfill for a disposal fee. Disposal Fee for Treated Wood: Treated wood waste will be charged at the C&D rate of $47.00 per ton. Includes railroad ties, phone poles and painted wood. Recycle Untreated Wood: Untreated wood is accepted as wood waste, unlike treated wood. Loads of untreated wood waste can contain no more than 1% of contaminants; treated wood is a considered a contaminant. Never Burn Treated Wood Chemicals such as creosote are used when treating wood, which creates toxic ash and emissions when burned. These particles lodge in soil and groundwater and take many years to break down, so never burn wood if you think it has been treated. Take Care With Sawdust Avoid breathing in sawdust from treated wood, and do not add it to compost or scatter on the ground. Ways to Reduce Choose a Different Wood Redwood and cedar are both naturally pest-resistant. Suppliers are also starting to offer more non-toxic treated wood options. Ways to Reuse Repurpose for New Project Certain types of wood products can be reused in a variety of ways. Find out how to repurpose your wood product.
