Treated wood… what is it exactly?
Treated wood is wood that has been impregnated with chemical preservatives to protect it from insects and decay. Essentially, the preservatives act as pesticides, making the wood resistant to attacks from insects and microorganisms.
Little-known risks
Managing treated wood has its unique aspects throughout its life cycle. The main risks are linked to the chemicals used, which contain, depending on their nature, highly toxic contaminants such as heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons.
With the leachable nature of these contaminants comes the risk of compromising water, soil, and… the food chain. Indeed, when rainwater or runoff comes into contact with treated wood, contaminants can migrate, accumulate, and reach significant concentrations, even becoming ecotoxic.
In short, disturbing cocktails for ecosystems.
An end that justifies the means
The management of treated wood receives particular attention when it reaches the end of its useful life. It is better to avoid improvising. Entrust treated wood residues to a manager who ensures sound and safe management.
By choosing Tred’si’s business solutions, you are making a future-oriented choice with positive repercussions.
“Sustainable development is above all a practice, a philosophy that must colour our actions, condition, influence, and guide the use we make of resources, whatever they may be.” »
Yann Arthus-Bertrand
Treated Wood & Sustainable Development
Although it may seem odd in a context of protecting the environment and biodiversity, wood treatment remains respectful of sustainable development objectives. As our stocks of woody material become increasingly precious, increasing the useful life of the material reduces the pressure on forest resources, thus meeting the need for rational and moderate management of natural resources.
Our Environmental Management
WATER
In situ water collection and treatment
Monitoring of quality and ecotoxicity parameters
air
Hardwood tree plots (3) on site
Dust management
SOIL
Work area with impermeable surface
Phytoremediation area(s)
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The impacts of sustainable management of treated wood reflect the 3Rs-E hierarchical order. The higher the materials are positioned in the hierarchy, the greater the benefits.
3Rs-E Concept
Committed and invested, Tred’si ensures structured and strategic management highlighting the material management hierarchy, the 3Rs-V.
R for Reduction at the source
1 recycled treated wood pole saves a tree of at least 50 years old.
R for Reuse
This step essentially constitutes the repeated use of a product, without modification of its appearance or its main properties.
Tred’si occasionally receives various sound products then assigned for reuse as used treated wood materials. Contact us to find out our current inventory.
R for Recycling
This involves reclaiming the material by offering it a second lease on life, distinct from its primary function. At Tred’si, we practice recycling through processes such as processing in a sawmill or on a wood lathe.
V for Valorization (Recovery)
Valorization here means a process that conditions the material with the aim of exploiting its properties, such as the energy it can produce or the sugars it contains. At Tred’si, only materials that cannot be reused or recycled are intended for valorization. At this stage, we do not valorize as such, but condition the wood for end users.
