Treated Wood Waste

What is Treated Wood?

Treated wood is wood that has been treated with a chemical preservative to protect the wood from insects, microorganisms, fungi and other environmental conditions that can lead to wood decay. Some commonly applied chemicals include creosote, pentachlorophenol, copper azole, copper boron azole, chromated copper arsenate, ammoniacal copper zinc arsenate, copper naphthenate and alkaline copper quaternary. The wood preservatives are registered pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Other common surface applied coatings such as paint, varnish and oil stain are not considered wood preservatives.

What is DTSC Doing to Protect the Environment from Treated Wood Waste?

Assembly Bill 1353 (2004, Matthews) added Sections 25150.7 and 25150.8 to the Health and Safety Code. This law requires DTSC to adopt regulations specifying alternative management standards for treated wood waste.

Implementing Regulations on Treated Wood Waste

Current Status Update 9-17-07
Final Regulations
Regulatory Background
Treated Wood Waste Tracking System (TWWTS)
All Treated Wood Waste (TWW) facilities or TWW landfills shall report to DTSC by July 30 and January 30 the amount of TWW received. The online system is now available. Contact Matthew Mullinax at (916) 324-0064 for any questions on TWWTS
- Treated Wood Waste Tracking System (TWWTS)
Treated Wood Waste Handler Notification All treated Wood Waste (TWW) handlers that generate more than 10,000 pounds in any calendar year shall obtain an identification Number and submit the notification within 30 days of exceeding the 10,000 pound limit. To obtain an identification Number, please call 1-800-618-6942. If you are directed to submit a form for a Permanent Identification Number, click below for the form.
- Treated Wood Waste Online Notification
- Permanent Identification Number Form
Treated Wood Waste Training Materials
Training on the Treated Wood Waste Alternative Management Standards regulations occurred in June and October 2007. The following are materials (slides and handouts) used for the training. DTSC also produced training videos that can be used as part of the training requirements.
- Training Slides & Handouts Part 1 & Part 2
- Training Slides & Handouts Part 3
- Training Video Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Fact Sheets and Other Information on Treated Wood Waste

Treated Wood Waste Management Fact Sheet (Jan 2008)
Analytical Results for Copper Preservatives by DTSC's Environmental Science Laboratory
TWW Landfill List derived from the California State Water Resources Control Board List of Landfills That Accept Treated Wood Waste dated May 2007
Guidance for the Management and Disposal of CCA-Treated Wood by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection dated June 2006
Webpage for CCA Research: Florida Hinkley Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management
Correspondence: California Integrated Waste Management Board Correspondence to Local Enforcement Agencies
Toxicology Information: ToxFAQs™ by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Arsenic
Chromium
Copper
Creosote
Pentachlorophenol

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA):

Past Public Workshops

April 26, 2006
March 16, 2006