Research to develop a large scale, cost-effective and environmentally friendly process for bioremediation and bulk reduction of waste timber containing preservatives is under way at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College.

Senior lecturer Dr Sam Amartey is conducting the research which is being funded by Biffaward, Osmose (UK), Arch Timber Protection and CSI Wood Protection.

Dr Amartey said biorecycling through bioremediation using wood decay fungi had received a lot of attention in recent years. Bioremediation is the use of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and yeast, to transform toxic substances into harmless or less toxic substances.

“It is environmentally safe, effective and relatively expensive,” he said.

A number of effective wood decay fungi, with the potential to reduce waste timber containing preservatives such as pentachlorophenol, creosote, CCA, bi-Tri-n-butyl tin oxide and lindane, have been selected and evaluated.

&#8220This disposal method will benefit the waste management, wood preservation and preservative manufacturing industries”

Dr Sam Amartey, senior lecturer, Bucks College

Brown rot fungi can remove heavy metals such as copper, chromium and arsenic and also reduce the volume of timber treated with CCA by more than 50%.

Dr Amartey said: “We are about to scale up and optimise conditions to improve the process.

“This disposal method will benefit the waste management, wood preservation and preservative manufacturing industries. It will help reduce the long-term risk of aerial and ground water pollution by these preservatives and also offer a significant reduction in demands for landfill capacity – 6-8 million m3 of landfill volume annually – by providing local authorities and companies in the waste disposal industry with a process for reducing the volume of pretreated wood wastes.”