Composite decking can’t go in your regular curbside trash or recycling bin, and most recycling facilities won’t accept it. Your main options are hauling it to a construction and demolition (C&D) landfill, hiring a junk removal service, or finding ways to reuse the material. The right choice depends on how much decking you’re removing and what condition it’s in.
Why Composite Decking Is Hard to Recycle
Composite boards are a blend of wood fibers and plastic, typically around 60% polypropylene and 40% hardwood fibers, plus small amounts of binding agents, stabilizers, and dyes. That mix is exactly what makes them durable outdoors and exactly what makes them a headache to recycle. Standard recycling facilities are set up to handle pure materials. They can process clean plastic or clean wood, but not a fused combination of both.
Even specialized recyclers struggle with composite lumber. Different manufacturers use different plastic types (polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC), and mixing those systems together during reprocessing degrades the material. Years of sun, rain, and temperature swings also break down the wood fibers and plastic at a molecular level, further reducing recycling potential. According to the USDA Forest Products Laboratory, environmental exposure and repeated processing cycles both degrade composite materials in ways that make them progressively harder to reclaim. The bottom line: putting composite boards in your recycling bin will likely result in them being pulled out and sent to the landfill anyway.
Taking It to a C&D Landfill
The most straightforward disposal route is your local construction and demolition waste facility. Composite decking is classified as non-hazardous construction debris, so any landfill permitted to accept C&D waste will take it. It doesn’t fall into any hazardous waste category unless it was painted with lead-based paint or treated with unusual chemicals, which is rare for modern composite products.
Costs vary by location, but expect to pay in the range of $32 per cubic yard for treated wood and general construction debris at a drop-off facility. Some charge a flat minimum fee for small loads (around $16 for a half-yard or less). A full deck teardown can produce several cubic yards of material, so the total cost adds up. Call ahead to confirm your local facility accepts composite lumber specifically, since some C&D sites distinguish between clean untreated wood and engineered wood products. If you don’t have a truck or trailer, renting a construction dumpster delivered to your driveway is another option, typically running $300 to $500 for a 10-yard container depending on your area.
Hiring a Junk Removal Service
If you’d rather not haul composite boards yourself, junk removal companies will pick up demolition debris from your property. Most charge based on how much space your material takes up in their truck. This is the most convenient option but also the most expensive, often two to three times the cost of a self-haul trip. It makes the most sense for smaller jobs where renting a dumpster or making multiple dump runs isn’t worth the effort.
Reusing Composite Boards
If your old decking is still in decent shape, reuse is the cheapest and most environmentally sound option. Composite boards that aren’t cracked, warped, or heavily weathered have plenty of life left for smaller projects. The material cuts, drills, and fastens the same way it did when it was new.
Some practical uses for salvaged composite boards:
- Raised garden beds. Composite won’t rot in contact with soil the way untreated lumber does, making it ideal for framing garden beds that last for years.
- Outdoor benches or seating. A few boards, some brackets, and basic tools are all you need for a sturdy garden bench.
- Planters and tiered plant stands. Smaller offcuts work well for box planters or stacked displays.
- Shelving. Composite boards can serve as floating wall shelves in a garage, shed, or workshop.
- Storage chests. Build a deck box for storing cushions, garden tools, or outdoor toys. Add a padded top and it doubles as extra seating.
- Trash bin enclosures. Frame a simple screen around your curbside bins to keep them out of sight.
- Playhouse siding. Composite boards aren’t structural, but they work well as cladding over a framed structure.
You can also list usable boards on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or your local Buy Nothing group. People building small projects are often happy to pick up free composite lumber.
Safety During Removal and Cutting
Tearing out or cutting composite decking produces fine dust that contains both wood particles and plastic fragments. Breathing this dust can irritate your airways and, with prolonged exposure, poses more serious respiratory risks. OSHA flags wood dust from cutting and sanding operations as a potential cause of allergic respiratory symptoms and mucosal irritation.
Wear a dust mask rated N95 or better any time you’re cutting composite boards with a circular saw, miter saw, or reciprocating saw. Safety glasses are equally important since the material tends to throw small chips. If you’re doing a full deck demolition over several days, consider working in short sessions with breaks in between to limit your cumulative exposure. A shop vacuum attached to your saw’s dust port, if it has one, captures a significant amount of dust at the source.
Checking Local Rules First
Waste disposal regulations vary significantly by municipality and state. Some areas require you to separate construction debris from household trash even at the landfill. Others have specific drop-off days or designated facilities for building materials. Your city or county solid waste department’s website will list accepted materials and any restrictions. Searching “[your city] construction debris disposal” usually gets you directly to the right page with hours, fees, and location details.
If you’re hiring a contractor to tear out your deck, ask whether disposal is included in the bid. Many contractors have commercial accounts at C&D facilities and can haul the material as part of the job, though this cost will be reflected in your quote. Getting a separate line item for disposal helps you compare whether it’s cheaper to handle that part yourself.