I am writing this letter in response to Autumn Cameron’s letter to the editor (Herald, Aug. 23). In her letter, Cameron raised a couple of good questions as to any risk from the recycled wood chips used in the manure-free compost produced by the Durango Compost Co. and Phoenix Recycling. Specifically, she asked what is the source of the wood chips and whether the wood might contain chemicals that pose a risk.
As the managing partner of the Durango Compost Co., I would like to clarify that the recycled wood chips used in our compost come solely from hand-sorted construction wood waste, which is free of paint, finishes, stains and coatings. The wood material in our compost comes from Phoenix Recycling’s construction recycling operations – the big red dumpsters you see at construction sites – and Phoenix hand-sorts clean wood before chipping it for compost and other uses. The materials Cameron cited as picked up in the fall by the city are not a source of our wood chips, and we do not use waste tree branches or grass clippings.
In a study investigating the biodegradability of (new) composite wood materials – chipboard, plywoods and laminates – authors Peltola et al., (2000) concluded that “the materials studied were aerobically biodegradable and there was no toxicity toward photobacteria (bacteria associated with plants) or substances of environmental concern in the biodegradation.” In general, modern chemicals used in the manufacture of composite wood products readily degrade in the environment. The key is to ensure that the materials are fully composted and matured which eliminates chemical contamination risk.
We monitor our compost results with independent laboratory analysis to ensure a safe and efficacious product that produces bountiful gardens. If any would like to see our compost analysis or discuss this further, please feel free to contact us at durangocompost.com, or visit Native Roots Garden Center where our products are sold.
Tim Wheeler
Durango
