TREATED WOOD DISPOSAL
New website offers guidance for California ports, marinas on treated wood disposal
P
orts, docks and marinas in California that need to dispose of treated wood waste — or TWW — now have a new online resource to help them stay in compliance with state regulations for proper disposal. The website TWWDisposal.org provides important information on disposal, including a list of approved state landfills that will accept the wood waste. For more than three decades, California has maintained alternative management standards that authorize TWW to be disposed in compositelined sections of landfills. In early 2021, those standards expired, creating significant difficulties in disposing treated wood, as disposal was only permitted in a single hazardous waste landfill operating in the state. California legislators last fall passed a bill to reinstate the alternative management standards and allow TWW disposal in more than 50 landfills throughout the state. As part of the legislation, the wood treating industry agreed to assist in educating Californians on proper TWW disposal. Port and maritime facilities have traditionally used preservative-treated wood for pilings, docks, piers and boardwalks. This wood is well suited to take on the harsh conditions of a marine environment. The new website includes sections on how to identify TWW as well as handling, storage, labeling and transportation requirements. There are also links to the state Water Resources Control Board, which maintains a list of landfills and disposal facilities that are authorized to accept TWW. Go to TWWDispoal.org to explore the regulations and recommendations for proper disposal.
TWWDisposal.org will assist Californians to remain in compliance with state regulations for proper disposal. An additional resource, including information relevant for other states is the Western Wood Preservers Institute (wwpinstitute.org).
May 2022 — PACIFIC PORTS — 49
