GEDEON - Waste management in the forestry logging sector

A number of actions to limit the production of wastes
Waste management is expensive. One of the first stages to be addressed is therefore that of limiting the quantities generated by means of preventive actions. Here are several proposals for the forest logging sector.
Used oil Longer oil service periods
Lengthen oil change cycles Used oils form some of the main hazardous wastes resulting from forest logging activities. More prolonged use of oils by lengthening the interval between oil changes is a way of reducing the quantity of used oil produced and also making a saving in purchases. Manufacturers recommend that the oil should be changed in hydraulic circuits every 1,000 hours. In practice, oil is often changed once a year, representing an average of 1,500 hours of operation and the literature indicates that the usual mineral oils can theoretically be used for as much as 2,000 hours without deterioration of oil qualities [1].
'Ester' fluids have appeared with the development of so-called 'organic' oils. Unsaturated esters have a theoretical lifetime of 6,000 hours. Saturated esters have greater resistance to oxidation and could theoretically last for up to 10,000 hours under normal conditions of use [1]. It is seen in practice that technical incidents always occur (failure, accidental leakage) that result in the early emptying of the circuit and make it impossible to lengthen the cycles to such an extent. However, references have been collected with several forestry machines operating for up to 2,000 to 3,000 hours between oil changes with no technical problems [2]. Analytical monitoring of the oil bath (measurement of viscosity, acidity, metal particles and the presence of water) at regular intervals makes it possible to be sure of oil quality at all times. [1] Direction générale des Ressources Naturelles et de l'Environnement. Rapport intermédiaire du groupe de travail " lubrifiants d'origine végétale ". Faculté Universitaire des Sciences Agronomiques de Gembloux, 1999, 31 pp. [2] de Caro & Nguyen The, 2000. Utilisation de lubrifiants à base végétale en exploitation forestière. AGRICE 1998, Conv. 9801025. Rapport final.
Use bypass filters The addition of bypass filters makes it possible to keep the oil cleaner than with standard oil filters only. This means that the oil can be used for longer with a reduction in disposal and maintenance costs. Such filters were tested by FERIC [3] [4]. With the lengthening of the interval between oil changes, the investment was recouped in a period ranging from less than 1 year to 4 years. [3] Makkonen I., 2001. Utilisation d'un filtre en dérivation Filtakleen dans les opérations forestières. FERIC. Avantage, Vol.2, no. 1 [4] Makkonen I., 2001. Autres essais forestiers des filtres en dérivation. FERIC. Avantage, Vol.2, no. 20

Packaging & containers Use larger containers Purchasing oil in 200-litre drums reduces the wastes generated in comparison with smaller containers (60-litre or 5-litre). It also results in a significant reduction in the cost per litre. Lubricants and fuels can also be delivered in bulk to facilities such as garages that have the appropriate tanks. However, it should be noted that 200-litre drums are more difficult to handle and their use in the field may be in contradiction with companies' hygiene and safety recommendations. Request suppliers to recover containers This is still a fairly uncommon practice. An example of recovery was observed with the Office National des Forêts in an invitation for tenders for the supply of organic chain oil and 'environment-friendly' two-stroke mixtures [5] .
Packaging in 5-litre cans and the recovery of containers by the supplier at the next delivery were requested. Seven of the nine bidders proposed this possibility with an average extra cost of 4.4% in comparison with the price with no recovery. [5] : Biquillon D., 2005. La logistique de la gestion des biolubrifiants et des biocarburants dans les agences de la Meuse. RDV techniques n° 7 - hiver 2005. Edition ONF.
Sorting and cleaning Clean packaging (non-hazardous wastes) mixed with soiled wastes (hazardous wastes) will be treated like the latter and at the same cost. Holders of packaging should therefore perform careful sorting to avoid contaminating ordinary wastes. In parallel, the emptying and appropriate rinsing of soiled containers can change waste from the 'hazardous' to 'non-hazardous' category and make a considerable saving in the cost of treatment. The procedure also applies to soiled equipment like hoses. It should be noted however that these operations cause a transfer of pollution. Washing water must be recovered and not released into the main drains. Oily rags are hazardous wastes and must not be burned.

Used tyres Tyre lifetimes can be lengthened by regular inflation to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer of the machine concerned.

General considerations Eco-citizenship - Extend use and favour re-use: choose products with long lifetimes or re-use certain packaging. Wastes may also be raw materials for others (for example, palettes, rinsed 200-litre drums, etc. are often recovered by other users). - Make subsequent use easier: choose products or packaging that will subsequently give wastes that are easier to use. For example, prefer packaging consisting of a single material rather than those combining several substances that cannot be recycled together. Reflection upstream of waste production often take place within the framework of relations with suppliers. Waste prevention can be incorporated as a criterion in competition. Regular maintenance of equipment The regular maintenance and correct setting of equipment and machines ensure satisfactory operation. This indirectly optimises lubricant requirements and reduces failure and breakdowns, thus limiting waste production. More generally, equipment must be operated under normal conditions with respect of manufacturers' instructions. Maintenance of the cutting components of chainsaws (188 ko)