Treated Lumber vs. Aluminum Environmental Impact

Treated Lumber:  Risk of soil/water contamination from preservatives; deforestation concerns if not sustainably sourced. 

Aluminum:  Mining impacts (habitat destruction, water pollution) but mitigated if recycled aluminum is used. 

Treated Lumber:  Lower upfront emissions, but frequent replacement   increases long-term impact.

Aluminum:   Higher upfront emissions, but long lifespan and recyclability reduce overall footprint over decades. 

Treated Lumber:   Difficult: treated wood cannot be safely burned or composted; must go to landfill or specialized disposal.

Aluminum:   Highly recyclable; aluminum retains quality through repeated recycling with far less energy than initial production. 

Treated Lumber:   Requires sealing, staining, and replacement of damaged boards. 

Aluminum:  Minimal maintenance; occasional cleaning only. 

Treated Lumber:  10–25 years with maintenance; prone to rot, warping, and insect damage. 

Aluminum:   30–50+ years; resistant to corrosion, rot, and weathering. 

Treated Lumber:  Pressure-treated with preservatives (copper, arsenic, or newer alternatives) that can leach into soil/water. 

Aluminum:   No chemical leaching during use; inert material once produced. 

Treated Lumber:  Moderate energy use for milling and chemical treatment. 

Aluminum:   Very high energy use in smelting and refining processes. 

Treated Lumber: Harvested from trees; renewable IF sourced sustainably. 

Aluminum:  Extracted from bauxite ore; mining is highly disruptive to ecosystems.