Environmental Benefits

Preserved wood offers many environmental benefits compared to alternative materials. It is the only construction material made from a sustainable, renewable resource and the application of preservatives extends the natural life of the wood from years to decades.

Assessing the environmental benefits of any building product requires a more systematic, science-based approach rather than the subjective and sometimes misleading claims that are often promoted. The preserved wood industry commissioned a series of assessments using internationally recognized life cycle science to provide an objective basis to determine environmental benefits.

Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs)

The process of conducting a Life Cycle Assessment considers the full cradle-to-grave perspective on a product. The LCAs for preserved wood products shown below were done according to ISO 14044 standards and have been subject to scientific peer review to confirm the results.

	Summary - LCA of ACQ Wood Decking vs. Wood Plastic Composite Decking Executive summary of a life cycle assessment detailing the environmental impacts of ACQ-treated lumber decking compared to wood plastic composite decking. 6 pages, 05/12 Click here to purchase full LCA report.
	Summary - LCA of Borate-Treated Lumber Framing vs. Galvanized Steel Framing Executive summary of a life cycle assessment detailing the environmental impacts of borate-treated framing lumber compared to galvanized steel framing. 6 pages, 05/12 Click here to purchase full LCA report.
	Summary Report on LCA of Penta-Treated Utility Poles Conclusions and summary of an LCA on Penta-treated wood poles vs. steel and concrete. 6 pages, 03/12 Click here to purchase full LCA report
	Summary Report on LCA of CCA-Treated Utility Poles Conclusions and summary of an LCA on CCA-treated wood poles vs. steel, concrete and fiber-reinforced composite poles. 6 pages, 03/13
	Summary - LCA of Wood Marine Pilings Executive summary of a life cycle assessment detailing the environmental impacts of wood marine pilings compared to concrete, galvanized steel and plastic marine pilings. 6 pages, 11/12
	Summary - LCA of Highway Guard Rail Posts Executive summary of a life cycle assessment detailing the environmental impacts of CCA-treated highway guard rail posts compared to galvanized steel posts. 6 pages, 02/13 Click here to view and download full LCA report.
	Summary - LCA of Railroad Ties Executive summary of a life cycle assessment detailing the environmental impacts of Creosote-treated railroad ties compared to concrete and plastic rail ties. 7 pages, 04/13 Click here to view and download full LCA report.