33And, if you act nRIg:.."

[DICTURE this. You're working your remote control, I moving adroitly from a reality show featuring a dysfunctional family playing poker in a leaking submarine to a program where custom motorcycles are built from beer cans and pipe cleaners. En route, you happen upon the Environmental Shopping Network...

"We have a building product here that you won't believe."

"Why's that, Tom? Does it recycle itself?' [audience laughs, as promptedl

"Almost. Get this, Susan. It's made from a renewable resource. And it's a plentiful resource that is replenished over just a couple of decades. It lasts a long time, so demands on the resource are reduced. On top of that, production of this amazing material uses less energy than production of alternative products."

"Wow. That is an amazing product!"

"But I'm not done."

"You mean there's more, Tom?"

"Sure is. The production process emits no wastewater and there are insignificant levels of air pollutants. Furthermore, the chemical that provides the long lfe is made almost entirely from recycled copper."

"Unbelievable!"

"Yet it can be cut, drilled, and stained by anyone with just common tools."

"It must be really expensive, or ugly."

"Hang on to y-our tool belt. It's cheaper than comparable products, and those comparable products are continually trying to look more and more like it."

"When can I get this amazing environmental advancement, Tom? Will it be available in2012?"

"Yott won't have to wait that lonp."

"2007?"

"Nope. It's here right now, and it's been here Jbr more than 30 years. It's preserved wood manufoctured by pressure treatment."

"That's great, Tom. Thank you so much for telling us about it."

"Go see your lumber dealer today, before he runs out." [tremendous audience applause]

With or without such an infomercial, if pressure-treated wood were a new product being introduced today, it would probably be hailed as an environmental break-through. It can claim features unmatched by other building materials. However, it has become such a staple of construction that its environmental benefits are usually overlooked or not recognized.

The very purpose of pressure treatment is one of the biggest benefits: the preservative process enables wood to last longer. A longer service life means less demand on forests and less transportation of materials. It also means less frequent replacement, but that is an economic advantage to the homeowner rather than an environmental one.

The environmental attractiveness of preserved lumber derives mostly from the wood itself.

Today's most common preservatives are made primarily from copper. This copper comes from recycled sources -e.9.. copper wire. computer etchants-which would otherwise be discarded as waste.

But the environmental attractiveness of preserved lumber derives mostly from the wood itself. Wood is our planet's only major renewable building product. The species of trees that furnish the most desirable treated wood are plentiful and grown in managed timberlands. They are not cut from sensitive forests or unregulated third-world rainforests. And, they grow rather rapidly, so their supply is quickly replenished-in fewer years than the service life of the treated lumber they provide. Meantime, trees sequester carbon dioxide and thereby reduce greenhouse gases.

On top of this, wood is strong for its weight. Often wood projects can be installed with lighter duty equipment than other building materials require. resulting in less environmental impact from the construction process.

Though not critical in every application, wood is also an excellent insulator. Compared to alternatives, it conducts less heat, noise, and electrical current - all of which represent environmental and, sometimes, safety benefits.

The production of preserved wood is noteworthy, too. It takes less energy to produce treated lumber than other major materials. The sun and soil provide most of the necessary energy. Using less energy typically means less depletion of nonrenewable fuel resources and generation of less greenhouse gas. The treating process is an integrated system that produces no wastewater discharges, and the level of air pollutants is classified as "insignificant."

Last, when its original purpose has been served, treated wood can frequently be reused effectively for other projects. Parts of an outdated deck may become a planter box or doghouse or driveway edging.

From a renewable resource and recycled preservative, preserved wood becomes a long-lasting, reusable product requiring comparatively little energy between those points. On a life-cycle basis, preserved wood provides significant environmental benefits over alternative products. Those producing and selling preserved wood can take pride in the earth-saving material they provide.

Although it may not be appearing in any known infomercials, preserved wood merits applause for its many unsurpassed environmental features.

- When not writing scripts for infomercials on preserved lumber, Huck DeVenzio is manager of marketing communications for Arch Wood Protection, producer of wood treating chemicals and licensor of Wolmani:.ed wood.