Recycling mill wastes for agricultural use

Rising landfill costs prompted the company to investigate the possibility of using its treatment-plant sludge and the ash from a new biomass boiler system as a soil conditioner on agricultural lands. Experiments conducted on mill property and extensive chemical analyses indicated that these materials could be a valuable resource. The program for the distribution of sludge and ash by-products involved a number of diverse considerations, including public relations, permit acquisition and materials management. Although the mill by-products have been used primarily on agricultural land, they have also been used for municipal park development, golf course expansions, athletic fields, and landfill closures. This program shows that land application is a viable method of reducing landfill use. During its first full year of operation, the mill recycled 63% of its sludge and 86% of its ash by-products.