Sustainable Campus Initiative: Wood Shredder Project
Utilizing a wood shredder to recycle leaves and branches for campus compost production, reducing organic waste sent off-site. The project aims to integrate shredded materials into compost, replacing some carbon inputs and promoting sustainability across university grounds.
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Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services Wood shredder| Fall 2012 Eric Champagne, Horticultural Supervisor Building Services, Grounds and Event support, University services
Facilities Operations and Development A division of University services A division of University services Building Services, Grounds and Event support Project summary With the help of the Sustainability Projects Fund we would like to purchase a leaves/branches shredder to recycle them for campus usage (Leaves and Branches). We would redirect the shredded materials for campus use to become part of the inputs for compost production in Big Hanna. Compost needs a carbon source which is currently purchased but could be partially replaced with this shredded material. Less organic materials would leave Campus Grounds for a dump site and/or recycling facility. Shredded material could also serve as mulch for the many gardens the University has. Michal Bonar and David Morris from Gorilla Composting would find it useful to get shredded material as a carbon source.
Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services Project eligibility: Shredded material would be made available to the Big Hanna composter. Dead Trees and broken branches are presently sent to a dump site, they would become part of the input for compost . An average of 10 trees of different sizes is removed per year. Communication and education about the shredder and its impacts would be provided by the Gorilla composting team, integrating it into their information tours, workshops, and website (see attached letter of commitment).
Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services Timeframe / Milestone: Project could start as soon as the piece of equipment is purchased. No end date, it would be an ongoing process linked to what is composted presently on campus. Ongoing repairs and preventive maintenance costs would be covered by Grounds. Performance could be monitored; volume of shredded material would be evaluated using the bucket of a tractor as a unit of measure. This will be done as soon as the shredded material is brought to the composting site. The wood pellets needed for Big Hanna s carbon input will be replaced with the wood chips. Compost would be used in flower borders, gardens and landscaped sites located all over campus.
Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services Project implementation: Tasks and Responsibilities Type of Activity Task Estimated Time Required Group Member in Charge To shred Leaves and Branches Variable Grounds dept. McGill Bring Shredded material to composter Variable Grounds dept. McGill Incorporate materials in compost Material added to compost should be the same as wood pellets Food Services department Communication and education Variable Gorilla composting Team and Composter coordinator
Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services Financials: Expense Description Estimated Cost Purchase leaf/branches shredder $16,466.72 Revenue Source Amount Requested Confirmed? Sustainability Projects Fund $16,466.72 Yes
Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services Cost and annual needs analysis: Big Hanna composter needs Description Format / Size Cost / quantity Wood pellets 18kg ( bag) $ 4.50 Wood pellets Metric ton (1000kg) $ 250.00 Delivery fees Per truck load $ 500.00 Total cost $ 2500.00 Cost per kg $0.31 Annual needs for composter 7200 kg Landscape needs Description Format / Size Cost / quantity Truck load (19m3, 9500kg) Wood chips for landscape $1075.00 Total cost for landscape per year $ 4180.00 Wood chips for landscape Per kg $0.11 Annual needs for landscape 4 truck loads ( minimum) 38,000 kg
Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services Summary analysis report: Description Format / Size Cost / quantity Annual needs for composter 7200 kg Annual needs for landscape 4 truck loads ( minimum) 38,000 kg Total per year 45,200 kg Annual operating cost for Wood shredder Based on 10 years operation $ 1650.00 Production cost using Wood shredder Cost per kg $0.03 Savings on cost for composter needs 90% Savings on cost for landscape needs 72%
Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services Wood shredder
Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services > Recommendations 1. Good piece of equipment 1. Safety of use 2. Spare parts availability Carefully make an assessment of your needs before purchasing this type of equipment. The size and the power should meet your requirements. You need to add some features to make this piece of equipment more efficient during daily operation. 1. Hauling attachment on vehicle 2. Protective cab need to be added to the dumper box to collect wood chips safely Having your supplier/vendor near by is a good advantage 2. 3. 4.
Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services > Conclusion Challenges: - Long process that required persistence, commitment and long-term vision; - Finding the right equipment that matches our needs was not an easy process. Positive outcomes: - We ve received good feedback and support from Gorilla Composting team; - Positive response from Grounds employees: supportive and cooperating; - Grounds Department got pride in helping reducing our waste and imprint towards the environment;
Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services > Conclusion Issues and future requirements for project success implementation: 1. Reviewing the whole process of on-site operation of wood shredder: a) New procedure to be implemented while doing tree pruning b) Stocking and managing raw material and finished product . 2. Adapting the current equipment in order to use this new tool efficiently 3. Following issues that stop us to really use the equipment at full capacity: a) 5 employees were missing this year. b) Composter was out of order for 6 months. c) Tree pruning project done by external firm on campus this year. Part of the project included the removal of raw material.
