How to Dispose of Treated Lumber

It lasts for years and years. In fact, pressure-treated wood can last for five decades or more.
Disposal of this wood can be a problem, however, because you can't burn it. Read on to find out how to dispose of treated lumber.

1. Sell the leftover wood to dispose of it. If you over-calculated how much pressure-treated wood you would need, and ended up with several pieces, offer it for sale by advertising it in the local classified ads.

2. Give away a few pieces of treated lumber- or a lot if you couldn't sell it. Put the wood in your front yard with a "Free" sign on it. You may be surprised how many people gladly will take free items. To reach a wider audience, advertise the pressure-treated lumber "for free" on a website like Freecycle.com.

3. Or, give away an entire structure. If you have a garden shed, for example, you want rid of, advertise in your local classified ads or on Freecycle. Write the ad that you're giving away a shed- either assembled or carefully taken apart- and the takers will probably flock to you.

4. Recycle the treated wood by using it to build another structure for yourself.

5. Researchers at Virginia Tech University's College of Natural Resources calculated that more than 80 percent of used treated wood from a deck can be reused.

6. Call your local officials and ask whether there are lined landfills in the area where you can dispose of pressure-treated wood.

7. Call your trash service. They may take the treated wood and dispose of it for you. Be prepared to pay extra for the special service, though.