Wood Pellets for compost mixing agent and wood burning stoves.

Using wood pellets to produce compost is a new application for this natural resource. The use of wood pellets as a fuel for wood burning stoves has been well established in Sweden in particular for many years and is now starting to be promoted in the UK. Their desired properties as a renewable fuel source also makes wood pellets the best mixing agent for hot composting.

Wood pellet properties.	Benefits
Renewable energy source.	Made from waste sawdust which would otherwise be sent to landfill. (Replacing fossil fuels with wood pellets will typically reduce net CO2 emissions by over 90%).
High energy content.	To hot compost kitchen waste you need the right bacteria and microbes. They need a lot of energy in the form of carbon to do their job properly. Wood pellets provide the carbon. A ratio of only 1 part pellets to 10 parts waste is needed compared to 1 in 3 for sawdust.
Low moisture content (6% – 10%).	The ability to absorb excess moisture quickly is important in controlling nasty smells as well as the efficiency of making compost. Wet sawdust could exacerbate bad smells.
Manufactured consistency.	Ensures reliable absorption properties to allow you to control and prevent nasty smells.
Easy to handle.	Clean and easy to store without degrading.
High volume density.	Less volume to transport and store – fewer deliveries.

By using wood pellets as your source of compost carbon, you will be able to control your composting environment most efficiently and at the same time do even more to minimise saw mill waste that would otherwise end up in landfill sites.

What are wood pellets?

Wood pellets are mostly made from highly compressed sawdust which is a major waste product from sawmills. Some wood bark and other small wood particles can also be used. In the past, this waste would usually be disposed of by sending to landfill.

The sawdust is collected then put through a drier before being compressed under enormous pressure and at high temperature pelleted using a machine. Click here to see how it is done in the USA.

Are additives used to bind the pellets?

Wood and sawdust contains the natural substance lignin which happens to be an excellent binding agent. Therefore, there is no need to use chemical contaminants that you may find in certain glues. Lignin and the natural oils in the wood gives the finished pellet a slight sheen finish. This means that when you use the pellets for composting, you can be sure that your finished compost will not be contaminated as a result.

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