A Few Great Ways to Reuse and Recycle Sawdust
Sawdust is a useful industrial by-product, and it’s used for making a lot of different things. But for the home user or small business, it’s not so easy to get rid of this accumulated waste. With everyone concerned about saving the environment, recycling and waste reduction, it would be nice to put this extra material to good use rather than simply dump it in a landfill.
Pantyhose, Grass Seeds and Sawdust
Here are a few tips to help you re-use sawdust and make the planet a bit happier.
Fertilizer:
Sawdust can be a great fertilizer for plants if you mix it in with your compost or topsoil. A good tip is to leave it out to rot for about 6 months or so. After that, it should be good to use. (Avoid using walnut with your plants, since it has herbicidal properties)
If you find that the mix makes your plants turn yellow, it may be because of the soil acidity. You can easily fix this by mixing in a bit of lime with your soil.
Fire Starters:
By mixing diesel with sawdust to the right consistency, you can create a doughy paste that’s great for starting fires and generating a lot of heat.
Another alternative would be to mix the sawdust in with candle wax.
Mulch:
Sawdust also makes great mulch. If you spread it over your garden, this should help in maintaining the soil moisture while also protecting your soil from excessive heat and preventing weeds from getting sunlight.
Cleaning:
Here’s a great, environmentally friendly way of picking up accumulated grime from your concrete floor. Just mix some water in with the sawdust until it’s moist. Then, use a hard-bristled broom to scrub the floor. The moisture helps dirt stick to the sawdust, making it easier to remove.
Afterwards, just sweep up the wood and you’re done.It’s also great as an emergency spill absorbent.
In fact, some people simply leave a layer of sawdust on their shop as a way of protecting the finish and reducing/absorbing noise.
Air Freshener:
For scented woods such as pine or cedar, consider packing it into a cloth bag and using it as an air freshener. Some people also add in charcoal or baking soda to absorb smells.
Ice Melter:
If you live in a snowy area, keep some in your car. Sawdust can be great for providing traction if you get stuck in the snow. Also, try spreading some on your sidewalk as an ecological alternative to salt.
Finally, remember… one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Even if you can’t find a practical use for your sawdust, consider giving it away to someone who needs it:
- Give it away for free on Craigslist
- Offer it to farmers as bedding
- Sell it on eBay and make some cash
- Donate it to a community garden
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