Don't Trash that Slash! Reaping Value from NM's Forest Residuals

Are you a public administrator, land manager, or thinning contractor interested in creating value-added products from your forest waste materials while simultaneously developing an alternative to slash pile burning? If so, you've come to the right place.

Don't Trash that Slash! is a collaborative project of the New Mexico Recycling Coalition (NMRC) to promote the value of creating compost and mulch from forest thinning projects. Through a grant from the U.S. Forest Service's Collaborative Forest Restoration Program, NMRC has teamed with a dynamic group of organizations and industry experts to give you the knowledge and access to resources to realize the value of composting and mulching your chipped forest residuals.

Please note - This page is currently being developed, so we encourage you to check back frequently for updates and new information. If you have a specific request or would like to register for an upcoming workshop (see above), please email us at sarah@recyclenewmexico.com.

Project Partners

s USDA Forest Service

s New Mexico Organics Recycling Organization

s New Mexico Environment Department Solid Waste Bureau

s Santa Fe Solid Waste Management Agency

s New Mexico Department of Transportation

s Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District

s New Mexico State Forestry Division

s Barela Timber Management

s Soilutions, Inc

s City of Albuquerque

s Forest Guild

Demonstration Partners   

s Mescalero Apache Tribe

s Jemez Girl Scout Camp

s Santa Fe River - Service Learning Project

s Carlito Springs

s Valles Caldera

s Santa Fe County Fire Department - Arroyo Hondo

s Santa Domingo Pueblo

Benefits of Creating Compost and Mulch

from Chipped Forest Residuals

sLess prescribed burn risk and associated air quality impact

sConditions soil and controls erosion

sPromotes water retention and revegetation

sPromotes better water quality by controlling surface run-off pollution

sCreates value-added, sustainable product

Case Study in Compost and Mulch Application1: New Mexico Department of Transportation

Compost and mulch are incredibly valuable as an erosion control application and are currently being used in NM Department of Transportation (NMDOT) roadside reclamation and re-seeding projects, which presents a potentially large value-added market for forest residuals. Read on for an overview of compost and mulch applications by NMDOT in road construction projects.

2000: The first roadside reclamation site implementing composted mulch occurred at the northeast interchange quadrant of I-40 and I-25 in Albuquerque.  Subsequently three other 4,000 sq. ft. test sites were implemented near Santa Fe (Budagher’s exit of I-25), Encino and Carrizozo. In each case compost was applied with native grass seed and plant growth was successful.

2002-2003: Practically overnight, the Pine Bark Beetle infestation caused huge Pinon tree die-offs, generating large quantities of green-waste at northern New Mexico transfer stations and landfills. NMRC, NMED SWB, NMDOT, private compost businesses and municipal agencies worked together to establish a consistent market for the increased volumes of mulch and compost. Building on a compost reclamation program developed by the Texas Department of Transportation, NMED and NMDOT developed standards for mulch and compost applications on New Mexico highway projects.

2004 & 2005: Additional demonstration sites in Santa Fe on Highway 599 and along South Broadway in Albuquerque were completed successfully. NMDOT utilized compost on official roadside projects along US 70, I-40, and US 84/285, and will continue to specify and apply compost in upcoming roadside reclamation projects.

Case Study in Compost and Mulch Application 2: Rio Penasco (Mayhill) Fire near Ruidoso

Click here for photos of mulch application in a wildfire mitigation effort.

Compost Sock Wattle (Filter Socks) Vendors

Mesh netting or burlap socks filled with wood chips make excellent erosion control socks.  The following is a list of suppliers that will sell empty netting or wattles:

*Conwed Plastics                                                                        *MasterNet LTD

  530 Gregory Ave                                                                            3355 Olive Lane

   Roanoke, VA 24016                                                                      Minneapolis, MN 55447

  www.conwedplastics.com                                              www.masternetltd.com

  Emily Hurst - Distribution/Inside Sales Manager -                        1-763-473-3938 or 612-269-4545

Resource Materials

sNMDOT Compost Vendor Procurement Process

sNMDOT Compost Specifications

sNMDOT Composted Mulch & Mulch Sock Specs from "Standard Specifications of Highway and Bridge Const."

sCompost Facilities