Disposal of CCA-treated wood

Abstract

Carpenters in the Southern United States were surveyed about the age, reason for removal, method of disposal, and cost of disposal of residential decks made with CCA-treated lumber that they have removed from service. The results show that the average deck was 9 years old when removed, and that it was landfilled at a cost of $50. The majority of decks were removed because they appeared to be rotted or bug eaten or structurally unsound, or for aesthetic reasons. When decks replaced for reasons relating to the structural integrity of the wood or because they were rotted or bug eaten were removed from the sample, the average age at removal fell to 7 years. The results indicated that aesthetic reasons are an important factor in determining the service life of CCA-treated wood in residential decks.