Useful uses for sawdust

The issue of industrial waste utilization has been a longstanding concern. When it comes to sawdust, there are numerous alternatives to simply discarding them in landfills. Some of these alternatives, if managed correctly, can even generate a steady profit. Therefore, as comrade Bender aptly stated, it is crucial to explore these possibilities further.

Peasant channel

Building materials

There are at least two areas where you can apply this method. Firstly, it is possible to produce heat-insulating brick for construction purposes using sawdust concrete. Secondly, sawdust can be used as an effective ingredient in plaster mortar, and it can also be used in the production of materials such as OSB, chipboard, fiberboard, and organolith.

What is sawdust concrete

In terms of its properties, sawdust concrete is an incredible substance that often makes one wonder why it hasn’t completely replaced aerated concrete in the construction materials market. Sawdust concrete surpasses aerated concrete in multiple aspects:

• It possesses decent mechanical strength, especially when the correct proportions are observed during manufacturing.
• It has excellent thermal insulation properties, making it suitable for use even in extremely cold winter conditions.
• It exhibits vapor permeability, allowing moisture to pass through the material. This is particularly beneficial, as excessive humidity in the air can have negative effects on human lungs.
• When it comes to being environmentally friendly, this material stands out. Unlike many modern materials, it only consists of cement, sand, sawdust, lime, and clay. This means that in the unfortunate event of a fire, it will not release toxic substances like other materials might.

Here is a unique recipe for producing a sufficiently robust material:

• Combine 2 parts of sawdust;
• Mix in 2 parts of sand;
• Add 1 part of cement;
• Include 5 parts of lime or clay.

To create the mixture, it is necessary to thoroughly combine the ingredients in a concrete mixer while gradually adding water until achieving a dough-like consistency. Once fully mixed, the mixture can be poured into molds. Before use, it is important to pre-dry the sawdust and then pass it through a sieve with a one-centimeter mesh size.

Warm plaster

The use of plaster mortar with sawdust has a vast range of applications:

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• cladding building facades;

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• interior wall finishing;

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• insulation of window and door slopes.

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In addition to its thermal insulation properties, the material also functions as an excellent sound absorber. To create it, you will require shredded paper, such as old newspapers or magazines, cement, and sawdust. The ingredients should be mixed in a ratio of 2:1:2, starting with the dry mixture, and then gradually adding water while continuously stirring until a porridge-like consistency is achieved. If the sawdust is fresh, an additional portion of lime should be added proportionally. For larger-scale projects, a concrete mixer proves to be extremely helpful.

In the countryside

Construction and finishing – it’s certainly not a bad thing, but what else can we do with sawdust? If you happen to have a piece of land, there are plenty of options available. Sawdust can be used for creating pathways, as a substrate for plants, or as mulch. It can even be utilized for pest control.

Paths

To create tidy pathways between the flowerbeds, one can excavate a shallow trench (using the bayonet of a spade). The boundaries can be marked with bricks or natural stone, and the trench itself can be filled with sawdust before compacting it. The benefits of this arrangement:

• the pathway can be shaped in any desired form;
• no matter how much it rains, there won’t be any muddy conditions;
• Weeds do not thrive in acidic soil, so the pathway will remain clear for a long time.

Occasionally, it will be necessary to add more sawdust to the pathway, as it settles and sinks over time.

As a substrate

One of the primary benefits of using such a substrate is that it greatly improves the soil’s friability upon addition. However, there are also certain drawbacks to consider. Firstly, newly added sawdust has the tendency to deplete the soil of nitrogen, thereby robbing vegetation of essential nutrients. Secondly, it contributes to soil acidification. While coniferous trees are generally tolerant of this, most other crops may even perish.

To mitigate these issues, it is necessary to incorporate calcium nitrate into the sawdust and balance the soil’s acidity. This can be achieved by supplementing with peat ash, crushed chalk, or superphosphate. Litmus paper can be used to test the soil’s acidity levels.

Mulching

Applying mulch to the plot serves several purposes:

• It helps prevent the growth of weeds;
• It helps insulate plant roots during both cold and hot seasons;
• It protects plants from pathogenic bacteria that can be carried onto leaves and stems during irrigation;
• It reduces soil moisture loss;
• It helps prevent erosion and the loss of the fertile layer of soil.

Before using sawdust, it is important to prepare them properly. This can be done by following these steps: spread a cellophane film on the ground and pour a bucket of sawdust on top of it. Then, add 200 grams of calcium nitrate to the sawdust, mix it well, and pour another bucket of water over the mixture. Next, cover the top with a plastic film and weigh it down with stones. Allow the mixture to sit and decompose for a couple of weeks. Once it has properly "ripened," mix the sawdust with ash and spread it on the ground in a layer that is no more than five centimeters thick.

Pest control

In order to fight against the Colorado potato beetle larvae, fresh pine sawdust is appropriate. The resin present in them acts as a deterrent for the pest. It is sufficient to sprinkle a thin layer of sawdust amidst the potato rows.

As fuel

You have the opportunity to take advantage of two situations at the same time:

• for warming up the space;
• for smoking fish, meat, or vegetables.

Now, let’s delve into the details.

Heating

You have the option to pour everything into a preheated oven. The smoldering process will be lengthy, resulting in a decent amount of heat. However, if you delve deeper, there are specialized boilers designed to run on briquettes made from compressed sawdust. According to feedback from users, it is considered a reliable and efficient option.

Smoking process

Smokehouse proprietors don’t require to elucidate anything; they can do it sans us. Deciduous trees are most appropriate for smoking, while coniferous trees contain plentiful of resin. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use them as well. The key factor is the absence of mold and traces of chemical treatment (varnishes, paints, impregnations) on the wood. Ideally, sawdust with a relative humidity of 50-60% is employed. If necessary, you can add water to them initially and then pre-dry them to the specified moisture content.

The roster of applications for sawdust continues. This encompasses bedding for animals, insulation for the ceiling, and soil for cultivating oyster mushrooms. Even crafts can be crafted by fusing the mixture with glue, giving the desired shape, and allowing it to completely dry. In general, it only necessitates embracing imagination – and the issue of disposal is resolved.