This
call was from a Tree Service Company that like most other Tree Service
Companies, have to make their debris disappear on a daily basis. This Company
had a Mulch Company picking up their wood for quite some time, but even they
could not keep up with all the debris brought in chipped and ground daily.
For the
past few years, as Natural Gas has gotten cheaper and cheaper, many Boilers
have switched over to natural gas. Think about it, put in a pipe and flick a
lighter. No handling costs or heavy equipment. In addition more and more Paper
Mills have closed and the amount of wood available has skyrocketed. It was not
even 10 years ago, when construction crashed, that Mulch Companies were all out
of wood. If they needed more, they almost had to go to the local Home
Improvement Store and buy a stack of 2 x 4 lumber to grind.
So where does that leave places
like Tree Companies, Pallet Recyclers and sawmills amongst others? Pretty much
out of luck. Either start marketing it somehow themselves or dispose at a
Landfill that can take it.
Here are a few options:
·
Mulch- There is always Mulch, whether sized and
delivered to a Mulch Company or producing your own Mulch
·
Pellet Mills- Many of these have closed also,
but if one is nearby, see what size it needs to be to supply them?
·
Boilers- Many are buried with wood these days.
Free to them and you may be able to send a few loads their way
·
Landfill Cover- Many Landfills are dirt poor and
need cover material daily. Call your local Facility
·
Bulking Agent- Compost Facilities may need
material for wet sludges
·
Solidification- Environmental Companies and
Landfills need material to solidify sludges and oils for disposal
·
Wood Production Facilities- Pressboard, OSB or
Plastic Decking, any of those type facilities may be an option
·
Sawmills- Keep Trees as long as possible if it
can go to saw
·
Firewood- Hardwoods can be used and dumped for
free
The key is to try and find several options so you are not
left out in the cold if you lose your outlet. Mulch doesn’t have to be sold for
$20 a yard if you can get rid of 5 times the amount for $5. Your cost formula
should be versus disposal at a Landfill or the like.
Setting
up a grinding operation? I can help. Rent or subcontract a grinder until it
becomes cost prohibitive. Search the AsktheGrinderguy.com website for articles
on grinding and you will get more ideas. Good Luck.
Questions? Dave
Whitelaw, The Grinderguy grinderguy@askthegrinderguy.com