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Dust collector disposal

3K views 20 replies 18 participants last post by  Dennisgrosen 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I just emptied my cyclone dust collector and now have about 50 gallons of dust/chips. Nobody around here will buy (I don't generate enough volume). Seems like it takes forever to compost them. I've got lots of land and can just dump in a remote spot but is there any way to make them useful?
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
Greetings Tom:... Hey, if you can't find a good use for the sawdust and chips, why not just burn it? You'll get rid of it quick, and won't have to hassle with trying to give it away, or take a risk on burning your garden or flowerbed. Or… scatter it on your land, use it to fill some holes around your place. All kinds of ideas, here….
 
#7 ·
You're probably better off not burning it, especially if it contains dust from plywood or mdf. If you know what it contains (i.e. no plywood, mdf, or walnut) you might be able to give it or sell it to a company that grows shiitake mushrooms (the rubbery mushrooms in Chinese food) because they grow on wood or sawdust blocks. Otherwise I would scatter it in some out of the way place on your property. Just make sure not to leave it in a huge pile. I've seen lots of huge piles of sawdust in out of the way places in different woodlots from sawmills that closed decades ago. The sawdust will start helping out the next generation of lumber if it's spread out.
 
#8 ·
In the winter I use it to help start my wood stove. No plywood to speak of. In the summer I spread it out back or use it to help start outdoor fires we have on the patio. Just keep it covered.
 
#9 ·
If you have a heavily treed area, you can spread it out there. Grass and shrubs don't like the acidity of certain woods. Same with gardens, like Abbott said the resins used in plywood and MDF are poisonous to plants.
 
#11 ·
take it to a local pet store or feed store or give it to someone who has animals to use a bedding. I use it in my chicken house and the kids use it in their pet beds. Or, spread it lightly in the woods and run over it with the mower to scatter it (plus this is kickin' fun!)
 
#14 ·
I was told that the saw dust (if not composted) will such the nitrogen out of the soil and that is why it is no goo for flower/garden beds. I use it to fill holes in the land, like land fill :) In the winter I use it like ice melt.
 
#16 · (Edited by Moderator)
JimmyNate and all others
if you composted it little by litte and mix it with
the green blades and other leftover
from your kitchengarden then there shuoldn´t
be too much trouble but you have to mix it
with fresh leftovers but that is what I do
anyway mix new materiel with the layer just
down under and if you want to know more
about composting there is gardentenders
and a full libery but you are always welcome
to pm me about it then I will see if I can help you

Dennis
 
#17 ·
Bedding was my first thought.

Finding a person who likes to sew … and who might make "dog beds" out of fabric and the dust/chips … is another option.

Should make for a comfy dog bed. Might want to verify that there's no particular safety risk for animals, given the kinds of species of wood you've cut….

These things are NEVER without a little effort … a little homework, are they? ;-)
 
#20 ·
"used cow food"

This was pretty good.

Thanks for the info Dennis. We do some worm composting from leftover kitchen greens and such, I'll try mixing in a bit of the dust.

Making paper is another idea…no idea how well it would work though.
 
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