At AMS, we are fully licensed to collect and transport hazardous waste, ensuring it is handled safely and responsibly. All hazardous wood collected by AMS is taken to one of our licensed recycling centres for compliant processing and treatment.

You can dispose of hazardous wood safely in several ways:

• Arrange a collection with AMS – we can supply specialist skips, roro, grab lorries or bulk bags for hazardous waste collection from your site.
• Use a licensed waste management company experienced in hazardous materials (such as AMS).
• Deliver directly to our licensed facilities in Dorset and Somerset
• Unsure if your wood is hazardous? AMS can help arrange testing to confirm its classification. If it’s found to be non-hazardous, it can then be recycled normally (with supporting documentation).

Incorrect disposal can release toxic chemicals into soil and water, harming wildlife and human health. Responsible management ensures environmental safety and legal compliance.

Hazardous wood cannot be sent to landfill. It must be treated or disposed of according to UK hazardous waste regulations.
Improper disposal is illegal and may result in fines or environmental harm. Always check that your disposal provider is properly licensed.

A Hazardous Waste Consignment Note must be completed for every load. It should include:

• The EWC code and waste description
• The chemicals present
• The relevant WM3 Hazardous Property (HP) codes

Do not mix hazardous wood with general household, garden, or construction waste. Mixing can contaminate recycling streams and cause legal and environmental issues. Keep it clearly segregated and labelled.

Look for these signs:

• Appearance or smell: Creosote-treated timber is often dark, oily, and has a smoky or chemical odour.
• Age: Wood from properties built before 2007 (especially external joinery or structural timbers) may be hazardous.
• When in doubt: If the origin or treatment of the wood is unclear, arrange for testing before disposal.

Examples include:

• Creosote-coated softwoods such as telegraph poles and railway sleepers
• Structural timbers (joists, tile battens) from buildings constructed between 1950 – 2007
• External joinery such as doors, window frames, soffits, fascia, and barge boards from the same period
• Fence posts and decking installed between 1950 – 2007
• Methyl bromide-treated pallets and cable drums manufactured before 1989
• Timber from heavy industrial sites

Common hazardous treatments include:

• Heavy metals (e.g. chromated copper arsenate – CCA)
• Creosote
• Halogenated compounds
• Metal pigment-based coatings

These substances make the wood unsuitable for normal recycling or landfill disposal.

Grade D waste wood is any timber that has been coated, painted, or treated with hazardous substances above the WM3 hazardous threshold during manufacture. These materials require specialist disposal due to potential risks to health and the environment.

• Licensed recycling centres in Dorset and Somerset
• Able to accept and process hazardous and non-hazardous wood waste
• Sustainable and cost-effective disposal solutions
• Fast turnaround for trade and domestic customers
• Full traceability with waste transfer documentation
• Supporting local renewable energy production