GEDEON - Waste management in the forestry logging sector - Problem of wastes in forest logging

The problem of wastes in forest logging

The forest logging sector consists of a diffuse fabric of very small enterprises (VSEs). These VSEs can be divided into two categories:
- woodcutters who are involved in the timber trade and sometimes have their own logging facilities;
- forestry companies (ETF); these are service providers that perform forestry work on a subcontracting basis.
The aim within the GEDEON project is to provide an appropriate waste management solution for these enterprises. Beyond the inventory of the types of wastes and their quantification, we have sought to gain better knowledge of this fabric of enterprises and hence make proposals that meet the requirements of the profession.

Analysis of the GEDEON survey performed in early 2005 shows that woodcutters usually generate little waste and this consists mainly of non-hazardous wastes. In contrast, machines produce more wastes, including a substantial proportion of hazardous wastes. Increased mechanisation is unavoidable in the years to come and it is therefore important to set up appropriate solutions for these mechanised woodcutting enterprises.
In addition, teams of freelance woodcutters can manage their wastes locally as the quantities produced annually are small and not dangerous. We therefore lay stress on the description of mechanised cutting enterprises performing felling-processing and haulage.

Machines per enterprise
The information used in this chapter is based on the results of surveys of machines performed by AFOCEL in 2000 , 2002 and 2005 . A panel of SEBSO's regular subcontractors was questioned in 2005 to ensure full coverage of the zone covered by GEDEON.

Analysis of the graph below clearly shows the way that forestry enterprises are scattered. Enterprises—one-person businesses in most cases—with a single machine form more than one enterprise in two in the sector.
Enterprises with one or two machines form more than three-quarters of the enterprises (76 %) with 49 % of the total fleet of machines.

Enterprises (four in all) with 10 machines or more are exceptions. These have already undertaken true waste management with the installation of recovery containers.

Two categories of forestry enterprises can thus be defined according to the number of machines used: 'small' (1-2 machines) and 'medium-sized' (3 machines or more).
This characterisation is interesting as it makes it possible to estimate the total quantity of wastes produced by the enterprise. Indeed, collection systems subsidised by ADEME exist for certain types of wastes, oil for example. These collection systems are free from a minimum threshold (600 litres). It is therefore important to know what proportion of enterprises and of the fleet of machine can benefit from the service. The survey shows that this service is aimed mainly at 'medium-sized' enterprises.

However, quantification alone is not sufficient to afford an objective view of the situation. It is also necessary to have information about the infrastructure of the harvesters and especially their maintenance workshops. The existence of a workshop belonging to the enterprise is capital for the storage of wastes.

It should first be remembered that everyday maintenance operations such as engine oil changes, changing hoses, etc. are performed in the forest, whatever the structure of the enterprise. This is a special feature of forest logging. This obviously results in constraints for maintenance and also for waste management as the wastes must always be recovered from the site and taken to a collection point (intermediate or not).

A study performed by AFOCEL in Aquitaine made it possible to draft a panorama of this activity. It revealed a lack of organisation in the region. There was often no maintenance schedule and VSEs often has few tools and spare parts in stock. Maintenance is performed by the forestry enterprise in 77% of cases (see graph below). External service providers are called upon mainly for repairs.

This survey also shows that nearly three-quarters of the enterprises possess a workshop even if this is not specific for cutting machines. This type of premises can nevertheless serve as a depot for storing wastes. The smallest enterprises (one-person) are obviously the least well equipped in this respect.

It should also be noted that although most everyday maintenance is performed in the forest, operators generally perform an annual overhaul in a garage. Finally, the fact that only a small number of enterprises are equipped with a hose crimper should encourage all enterprises to work with a service provider who recovers used hoses.

The forest area in Aquitaine has its own features and these are not necessarily representative of the situation in the other regions. A survey of forestry companies performed by SEBSO (southern region) showed that only 40% had a workshop. It can thus be supposed that this type of facility is not as common in all regions.

Synthesis: a typology of forestry VSEs
The following typology of forestry enterprises is proposed:

Logging

Equipment

Waste management

Manual * & Mechanised

No workshop /

Mobile workshop (van, small truck)

for maintenance.

Repairs subcontracted to a garage

Local management of maintenance wastes when no storage site is available.

The subcontractor disposes of repair wastes

Mechanised

Fixed workshop for maintenance

Repairs partially subcontracted to a garage

Temporary storage of wastes in the workshop

=> Possibility of recovery of the most important wastes by collectors (or by free recovery)

The subcontractor disposes of repair wastes

* : in Alsace and Moselle, Office National des Forêts (the national forestry board) operates on a day rate basis. In this case, the felling teams can generate large amounts of wastes.

Dealing with suppliers who recover used consumables is recommended in order to facilitate waste management, especially if no workshop is available.