Dear Garland: Thanks for your comments about using wood products. With regards to using concrete cross ties (sleepers), Georg Kenk told me that in Germany, concrete ties last about 30 to 50 years (about the same as treated pine or beech ties). However, he said treated oak can last 100 years. We know that treated wooden bridges will last longer than concrete bridges (but we have a difficult time getting building codes to be changed due to the big concrete industry). It seems to me that recycling rates of wooden pallets must vary greatly by region. Wooden pallets are recycled in Arkansas and Alabama. In these "poor" states, we place a value on such items (which cost about $7 new; $3.50 for seconds). I went to WallMart and Lowe's yesterday and most of the pallets had been reused. In fact, some appeared to be rebuilt. Of the 50 or so pallets at Lowe's, I saw three new pallets. Here in Auburn, pallets in poor condition are sold for $1.50 and some people split them up to be used as firewood. Apparently in California, only 1 or 2 pallets out of 5 are recycled. I understand that most wood pallets there are used once and then put in a landfill (which seems like a waste to us here in the South; at least they should be burned for energy). No wonder some are so concerned about the need to recycle. If people in California cut their use of wood and paper in half, would their per capita consumption then equal ours here in the South? Perhaps we should propose a California proposition to cease the importation of wood and paper products into California. This would force them to recycle, and as a result, value wood pallets more. They apparently are so affluent that they are willing to trash pallets worth at least $3.50 (as seconds).
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