Wood shredder | Fall 2012 Eric Champagne, Horticultural Supervisor Building Services, Grounds and Event support, University services Building Services, Grounds and Event support A 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 Development A division of University services Building Services, Grounds and Event support A 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: Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services

 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: Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services

Tasks and Responsibilities Project implementation: Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services Type of Activity – TaskEstimated Time RequiredGroup Member in Charge To shred Leaves and BranchesVariableGrounds dept. McGill Bring Shredded material to composter VariableGrounds dept. McGill Incorporate materials in compost Material added to compost should be the same as wood pellets Food Services department Communication and education VariableGorilla composting Team and Composter coordinator

Financials: Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services Expense DescriptionEstimated Cost Purchase leaf/branches shredder$16, Revenue SourceAmount RequestedConfirmed? Sustainability Projects Fund $16,466.72Yes

Cost and annual needs analysis: Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services DescriptionFormat / SizeCost / quantity Wood pellets18kg ( bag)$ 4.50 Wood pelletsMetric ton (1000kg)$ Delivery feesPer truck load$ Total cost$ Cost per kg$0.31 Annual needs for composter7200 kg DescriptionFormat / SizeCost / quantity Wood chips for landscapeTruck load (19m 3, 9500kg)$ Total cost for landscape per year$ Wood chips for landscapePer kg$0.11 Annual needs for landscape4 truck loads ( minimum)38,000 kg “Big Hanna” composter needs Landscape needs

Summary analysis report: Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services DescriptionFormat / SizeCost / quantity Annual needs for composter7200 kg Annual needs for landscape4 truck loads ( minimum)38,000 kg Total per year45,200 kg Annual operating cost for Wood shredder Based on 10 years operation$ 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 Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services

1.Good piece of equipment 1.Safety of use 2.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 vehicle 2.Protective cab need to be added to the dumper box to collect wood chips safely 4.Having your supplier/vendor near by is a good advantage > Recommendations Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services

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 Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services

Issues and future requirements for project success implementation: > Conclusion Building Services, Grounds and Event support A division of University services 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.