Handyman Service
Environmental considerations:
As a trained environmentalist who has campaigned
on a number of issues for many years, I am well aware that in practice it
is not always easy to make the compromises we face in the real word. Naturally, cost is often a consideration but,
when it isn’t, I usually make the best environmental choices when it comes
to materials. I avoid VOC (volatile
organic compounds) based paints and varnishes in favour of water-based
paints and natural oils. I purchase timber from suppliers that not only
have an environmental policy but also actually check where and how their
timber is produced (B&Q actually have a good record on all counts). I minimise car journeys to
collect materials and drive a light-weight 4X4 estate car rather than a
heavy lorry, large van or full-sized 4X4 I ensure
that the environmental considerations of customers are taken into account
and will discuss any issues that may be of concern. One area
that is often discussed is the use of Tanalised timber and my thoughts on
this and other subjects (to come) appear below. Left:
sustainably sourced timber and natural oil finish but the compromise: an
mdf carcass and shelves on cost grounds
Tanalised
timber:
The excellent Green
Choices website has this to say and I agree with them,
- Wooden
products are often tanalised - impregnated under pressure with
highly toxic substances such as arsenic - to protect against rot. Look for
a pale green stain soaked into the outer layer, typically on roughly sawn
softwood which otherwise wouldn't last any time at all outside in the wet.
We advise against buying such products: at the very least, DON'T BURN
THEM! Burning tanalised
wood releases arsenic, a cumulative poison, into your immediate atmosphere.
However, the environmental and health considerations of tanalisation should also, in my view, be offset against the environmental and health considerations of using other materials for exterior fencing, decking, raised beds and so on.
- Untreated
softwoods can rot through in as little as a few months in some conditions,
making fences and other structures unsafe, particularly in places where
safety is paramount such as steep slopes, steps and raised decks.
- In some conditions
softwoods can last 5 years or more but the replacement rate is still
unacceptable in environmental terms if one is to keep the use of softwoods
in balance with supply (keep the industry sustainable), avoid the energy
and other environmental costs of the labour and transport involved and
avoid the disruption of the local ecology on site.
- Alternatives such
as steel, concrete, hardwoods and boron-treated softwoods all have their
own environmental costs in terms of energy, transportation, sustainability
and the health of users and workers in the industry.
So while tanalised timber is not an ideal
material by any means, it is practical, cheap and not as unsustainable as one
might at first imagine when compared to the alternatives. It is true that the toxic effects of tanalised
timber have probably increased cancer rates and have had other negative health
and environmental consequences but, in the scheme of things, I believe the
risks to be comparable to many other materials overall. Needless to say, if you feel strongly that
you do not want to use tanalised timber, I am more than happy to discuss the
alternatives.
For
green building products go to: http://www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk
For
a guide to greener choices go to: http://www.greenchoices.org
For
more information about my environmental credentials please go to my Personal Pages