Treated Wood Illegal in Garbage & Drains Special Management Instructions According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), lumber that has been pressure treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) should be handled cautiously since it contains arsenic, which is a known human carcinogen. If accepted, unused CCA-treated wood may be brought to a local transfer station, landfill, or placed out by the curb if local pick-up is available in your community. CLICK HERE to learn more about CCA-treated wood, and contact your local transfer station or recycling and waste hauler to learn how to best manage CCA-treated wood in your community. Never Burn Treated Wood Chemicals such as creosote are used when treating wood, which creates toxic ash and emissions when burned. These particles lodge in soil and groundwater and take many years to break down, so never burn wood if you think it has been treated. Take Care With Sawdust Avoid breathing in sawdust from treated wood, and do not add it to compost or scatter on the ground. Ways to Reduce Choose a Different Wood Redwood and cedar are both naturally pest-resistant. Suppliers are also starting to offer more non-toxic treated wood options. Ways to Reuse Repurpose for New Project Certain types of wood products can be reused in a variety of ways. Find out how to repurpose your wood product.