California regulates a pressure-treated problem

California’s pressure treated problem

By Andy Carlo

Dealers, home builders and remodelers face a complicated hurdle when it comes to disposing of pressure treated waste.

The latest challenge to California’s lumber and building materials industry has surfaced in the regulations for the disposal of pressure treated lumber waste.

Following California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s veto of 2020’s Assembly Bill 68, treated wood waste must be disposed of at Class I Hazardous Waste Landfills. The action took place on Jan. 1 and came as a surprise to many in the industry.

According to the West Coast Lumber & Building Material Association (WCLBMA), which represents California’s lumberyard community, commercial haulers have already notified the state’s Department of Environmental Health that they will be rejecting loads where they see treated wood in waste containers.

But finding a designated landfill for proper disposal is no easy matter.

“There is not a convenient way for people to deal with offcuts of pressure treated lumber from jobs including something as simple as building a fence,” says Augie Venezia, government affairs chair of the WCLBMA and the president of Fairfax Lumber & Hardware.

“The toxic disposal sites are few and far between,” Venezia told HBSDealer.

Venezia recently conducted a state search to find the closest hazardous disposal site near his business in Fairfax, Calif. The nearest location Venezia came up is about 4.5 hours away.

And that’s going to be a problem for other lumber dealers and builders throughout the state. A state variance previously allowed for landfills to accept pressure treated waste.

The California Department of Environmental Health is advising those disposing of treated lumber waste to separate treated wood from non-treated wood during demolition. Further, it recommends cutting any removed treated wood during demolition so that it will fit into a container for storage.

The other issue is pressure treated lumber remains as popular as ever among home builders and remodelers in California. The cost is lower than redwood and it performs better for uses with ground contact. That includes decking, fences, mudsills, and retaining walls. Alleviation to the sudden quandary could be on the way, however. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is looking to provide a new variance until state lawmakers find a new solution to the problem. Additionally, several of the state’s lawmakers have proposed AB-332, a new bill that would reestablish previous disposal standards and act as a deterrent to illegal dumping.

In the meantime, here’s what the DTSC has said about how treated wood wasted should be prepared for disposal:

Pressure treated lumber remains popular in California for use in decks, fencing, and retaining walls.

Treated wood should be placed in a container (including a cubic yard box, tri-wall, or 20- or 40-yard roll-off bin;

Covered when not adding waste to the container;

Marked with the following information:

The words “Hazardous Waste”

Your company’s name and address

The words “Treated Wood”

The word “Toxic”

The date you started putting the treated wood waste in the container

Removed from your site by a hazardous waste hauler within 180 days

Home Depot’s Dallas D.C. boosts deliveries

Nation’s Best makes a deal

The Home Depot has opened its latest distribution center in Dallas, Texas.

Measuring in at 1.5 million square feet, the new center will fulfill online and store orders and is designed to meet customers’ delivery needs through multiple channels. This includes items delivered to customers’ homes or items picked up at local stores.

Additionally, the supply chain site manages customer delivery and installation of large appliances such as washers, dryers, and refrigerators ordered in stores or online.

From the final sale to the removal of old appliances, the operation offers an improved purchase and delivery experience for Home Depot customers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the retailer said.

“We’re focused on creating an easier and more convenient shopping experience for our customers’

Home Depot’s new Dallas distribution center is handling online and in-store orders along with large appliances.

home improvement needs, whether they shop in stores or online,” said Stephanie Smith, senior vice president of supply chain for The Home Depot. “Our supply chain is the foundation for delivering on our pro and DIY customers’ changing expectations, which is why we’re investing to offer same day and next day delivery to 90% of the U.S. population.”

This facility is part of the company’s $1.2 billion investment to expand its national distribution and delivery network. The Home Depot reported that the company’s supply chain footprint in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will grow from 2.1 million square feet to 4.5 million square feet and will create approximately 1,500 new jobs by the end of this year.

The company currently operates 20 distribution centers in Texas.

Last year, the company opened another delivery center at the new Dallas campus that delivers building materials and bulky products directly to DIY and Pro customers.

The new distribution center features a zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell charging station for material handling equipment and includes more than six miles of mechanized lines and automation technologies that enable increased product flow.

Nation’s Best, the Dallas, Texasbased home improvement chain and joint-venture partner with Do it Best Corp., has acquired BTU Do it Center in Las Vegas, N.M.

As part of Nation’s Best’s acquisition strategy, BTU Do it Center will maintain operations under its existing name with its key leadership team overseeing company operations. Nation’s Best will provide the strategic and financial support necessary to continue to achieve optimal growth and profitability, the company said.

Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

“We are honored to count BTU Do it Center among the Nation’s Best family of businesses,” said Chris Miller, president

BTU Do it Center in Las Vegas, N.M., is the newest addition to the Nation’s Best family.

and CEO of Nation’s Best. “Since 1984, the Sonchar family has built their home center’s reputation in the Southwest, serving the region’s hardware and lumber needs for everyone from DIYers to pro contractors. We’re excited to bring the strength of Nation’s Best to continue to provide excellent service to BTU do it Center’s valued customers.”

“Since 1984, our team has been on a mission to treat every customer with respect, honesty, and integrity,” said BTU President Wayne Sonchar. “By merging our rich traditions into Nation’s Best, we’re ensuring that our associates and our customers will continue to be supported in the very best way.”

Nation’s Best is a member-owner of Do it Best Corp. Founded in 2019, Nation’s Best operates 18 locations in 5 states under 7 banners and a variety of formats, including hardware stores, home centers and lumberyards.

The company’s banners include Connolly’s Do it Best, Groom & Sons’, Hall’s Hardware, Hometown Building Centers, Lambert Lumber, and Simms Lumber.