The waste management industry is an extremely challenging arena. Wood waste is one area of waste management that is a concern for most companies, due to it being an inevitable by-product within a wide range of industries. Wood waste is accumulated in construction, landscaping, agriculture, and many other sectors.
This article specifically looks at the benefits of a wood grinder and how it provides an effective and sustainable solution to process waste wood for a wide range of waste management companies.
What is a wood grinder?
Wood grinders are used to break down various types of waste wood, including branches, pallets, and any other wooden materials. Changing waste into something useful is incredibly sustainable, and therefore, a wood grinder brings great benefit to the environment. Once processed, the smaller pieces can be used to create mulch, biomass fuel, or chips, revolutionising the waste management industry by promoting sustainability in what has traditionally been an industry that was difficult to chip away at for sustainable means.
A wood grinder is different to a wood chipper that is commonly seen towed behind a van. A mobile wood grinder is typically moved on metal tracks, similar to those found on other heavy equipment such as excavators, and is built to process high volumes of wood.
Using a chain belt feeder, the wood is pulled against a rotating cutting drum that is turning at a high speed, typically over 1,440 revolutions per minute (RPM). This speed allows a series of cutting edges along the drum to break down the wood into small pieces, with a basket behind the drum with holes in, holding the wood until it has reached the desired size. When the material is small enough to pass through the basket, it is taken away by the main conveyor and put into a stockpile of finished product.
What are the benefits of a wood grinder in the wood waste world?
The role of a wood grinder includes:
Transforming waste
As mentioned above, transforming wooden waste into reusable forms or for biomass significantly reduces the amount of wood waste that is just sent to landfill sites. This has the two-pronged effect of not only reducing the volume of debris but also repurposing waste as a renewable option for fuel and other purposes.
Improve the recycling process
Wood grinders are important to the overall recycling process. It helps to transform old, discarded wood into something useful, boosting the overall cycle of materials and waste and contributing to sustainability efforts. Looking for renewable items and a way to reduce the carbon footprint of a company is important.
Reduced costs
One of the biggest advantages of wood grinders is that they help to cut the cost of waste disposal. By significantly minimising the volume and increasing the density of waste wood, a business will experience lower transportation costs when removing waste from a site, as well as reduced landfill fees.
Operational efficiency
Efficiency is key in every industry. Discovering new ways to improve your internal processes and to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible is paramount to a successful business. A wood grinder could become an influential component of your business model. It helps to reduce logistics costs and time, reduces downtime and therefore maximises productivity.
Find the best wood grinder for your needs
Finding the best supplier of waste sorting equipment and machinery, including a wood grinder, makes a big difference to the success of your waste management operation. Depending on the waste management set-up that you have, there will be a range of models that would be beneficial to you. Whether purchasing new or used, or maybe hiring a wood grinder, it’s best to speak to specialists in the field who can inform and guide you towards making the most effective choice for your specific site and wood waste.
