Can you take old railroad ties?
railroad ties can be problematic (the real ones) if they are old they are laced with creosote which in most states is considered an environmental nasty and almost impossible to get rid of so, once you do own them, they are yours forever (and you can’t burn them because the creosote gets even nastier when…
railroad ties can be problematic (the real ones) if they are old they are laced with creosote which in most states is considered an environmental nasty and almost impossible to get rid of so, once you do own them, they are yours forever (and you can’t burn them because the creosote gets even nastier when made intoClick to see full answer. Consequently, is it illegal to pick up railroad ties?Every EPA site said the same thing about the main preservative in old railroad ties: “Creosote is a possible human carcinogen and has no registered residential use.” So it’s actually illegal to use old railroad ties in a home landscape. Such uses in residential settings are not intended uses of creosote.Likewise, are old railroad ties toxic? If the railroad ties are old, creosote may ooze out, leeching the soil and killing plants, insects and small animals. The arsenic in the wood is toxic, making it a danger to plants and wildlife that have prolonged contact with it. CCA- treated railroad ties should be disposed of through municipal means. Keeping this in view, where can I take old railroad ties? Dispose of railroad ties in a landfill. Many states have regulations for the type of landfill that will accept railroad ties. Contact the landfill to verify whether it accepts the ties. Typically, this decision is determined by the solid waste management department either locally or within your state.What do they do with old railroad ties?Some railroad ties are sent to garden centers for use as landscape timbers. Old ties are sent off to be thrown out. Some end up in landfills, and some are burned at special power plants that have filtration to capture the creosote (the preserving agent that keeps the tie from rotting.)
