Wood shredder | Fall 2012 Eric Champagne, Horticultural Supervisor Building Services, Grounds and...

Wood shredder| Fall 2012

Eric Champagne, Horticultural SupervisorBuilding Services, Grounds and Event support, University services

Building Services, Grounds and Event supportA division of University services

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.

Facilities Operations and DevelopmentA division of University services


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).

Project eligibility:


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.

Timeframe / Milestone:


Tasks and Responsibilities

Project implementation:


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

Financials:


Expense Description Estimated Cost Purchase leaf/branches shredder $16,466.72

Revenue Source Amount Requested Confirmed? Sustainability Projects Fund

$16,466.72 Yes

Cost and annual needs analysis:


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


Wood chips for landscape Truck load (19m3, 9500kg) $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

“Big Hanna” composter needs

Landscape needs

Summary analysis report:



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%

Wood shredder


1. Good piece of equipment1. Safety of use2. Spare parts availability

2. Carefully make an assessment of your needs before purchasing this type of equipment. The size and the power should meet your requirements.

3. You need to add some features to make this piece of equipment more efficient during daily operation.

1. Hauling attachment on vehicle2. Protective cab need to be added to the dumper box to collect wood chips

safely4. Having your supplier/vendor near by is a good advantage

> Recommendations


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;

> Conclusion


Issues and future requirements for project success implementation:

> Conclusion


1. Reviewing the whole process of on-site operation of wood shredder:a) New procedure to be implemented while doing tree pruningb) 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.

Wood shredder | Fall 2012 Eric Champagne, Horticultural Supervisor Building Services, Grounds and...

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