GEDEON - Waste management in the forestry logging sector - Forestry exploitation wastes in the Midi-Pyrénées region

Forestry exploitation wastes in the Midi-Pyrénées region Christophe Périnot, april 2007
Méthodology This study is based on a survey of operators and forestry businesses in the Midi-Pyrénées in December 2006. To estimate the quantity of wastes generated, we reconstituted the fleet of forestry machines and applied the average coefficients for waste production in France. In the Midi-Pyrénées region as a whole, 73 businesses equipped with at least one forestry machine were listed (a few small sole operator businesses may have been missed in the survey). The list of businesses was drawn up using the following data: - SEBSO subcontractors - regional investments for the last 5 years - complements to the AFOCEL address file A questionnaire was sent by post and followed by a telephone contact when data were incomplete or missing. Businesses performing manual felling (wood cutters) were not interviewed. The questionnaire was in 3 parts: the equipment used, the fate of the wastes and the possibilities for grouping and collecting wastes. The mobility of forestry machines should also be taken into account. Some work in other administrative departments than that of the head office of the company, but it can be considered that there is a balance between machines entering and leaving the region. Results
The forestry machine fleet in Midi-Pyrénées at the end of 2006
This inventory for the end of 2006 totals 157 machines operating in forests in Midi-Pyrénées. Mechanisation is fairly highly developed with nearly 30 harvesters accounting for 32% of the total volumes harvested in the region (the national average is 24%). Using annual harvest volume as a base (source: Enquête Annuelle de Branche (EAB)- branch annual survey), it can be estimated that there are the equivalent of 350 full-time wood cutters.
The forestry machine fleet in Midi-Pyrénées by department at the end of 2006
Moving to department level, it is seen that machines are very irregularly distributed. The Tarn department stands out distinctly from the other departments, with 1/3 of the forest machines and 50% of the harvesters. The large number of forestry machines in this department is accounted for by the high percentage of woodland and a strong proportion of conifers with dynamic forest management. Then comes a group made up of the departments of Ariège, Aveyron and Haute-Garonne, each with some twenty machines operating. The departments of Gers, Hautes Pyrénées, Lot and Lot et Garonne have only nearly ten machines.
Number of machines by forest exploitation business in Midi-Pyrénées
Businesses are small in Midi-Pyrénées, with 50% with only one forestry machine and 80% with only one or two.
Origin of forestry exploitations wastes in Midi-Pyrénées
The inventory of forestry machines can be used in conjunction with average waste quantities at the national level (source: GEDEON). It is thus estimated that 130 tonnes of wastes, two-thirds of which consists of hazardous waste, is produced annually in Midi-Pyrénées. The proportion generated by manual wood cutters totals 8 tonnes per year, that is to say 5%.
The quantity of wastes produced annually in the Midi-Pyrénées region by the forestry machine fleet (not counting wood cutters)
It is logical to observe a strong concentration of wastes in the Tarn department and large differences between departments. The amounts of hazardous waste ranged from 3 to 30 tonnes per year according to the department.

Greater precision in the location of wastes can be achieved by using the headquarters of each company. This map is valid on the assumption that the wastes are brought back to headquarters. The map reveals two large zones in which a large proportion of the businesses in Midi-Pyrénées is found and that corresponds well with the location of forest resources. These are the foothills of the Pyrenees (deciduous resources) and the south of the Tarn department (coniferous resources). Businesses are more scattered in the other departments.
The quantity of wastes produced by company in the Midi-Pyrénées region
Individually, companies generate small amounts of wastes. The average is 1.7 tonnes per year, but with 50% of businesses generating less than 1 tonne per year. The forestry industry thus produces small, scattered quantities of wastes (toxic wastes in dispersed quantities). The importance of organising joint collection operations to better group these wastes will therefore be particularly relevant.
The fate of forest exploitation wastes
The survey shows the current destination of each main category of waste. They are not always in conformity with the regulations but businesses are often concerned about the environment and the fate of the wastes that they produce. Waste collection centres are a major destination for forestry exploitation wastes in the Midi-Pyrénées region, handling about a quarter of waste quantities. Supplier recovery chains operate fairly well for tyres, batteries and to a lesser degree for hoses. It is noted that 'scrap dealers' recover several waste categories in addition to scrap metal, also taking hoses, oil cans, aerosols and even batteries in some cases. However, the conformity of the dealers with regard to the regulations for the recovery of hazardous wastes should be checked. Although burning is strictly forbidden, this is sometimes performed with hazardous wastes such as cartridges and oily rags, together with filters and aerosols to a lesser extent and used oil in exceptional cases. The storage of wastes in workshops is still a fairly common practice. This is often used for wastes for which a recovery chain has not been found or for which there are problems (cost, distance, minimum quantity to be attained, etc.). The category 'other' corresponds to frequently local re-use of the waste (e.g. 200-litre drums recovered by farmers, etc.). This second life of the waste is often not in conformity with the regulations. The 'other' category is preponderant in the fate of oils, consisting of recovery by an approved collector who comes to the workshop.
Difficulties in waste disposal
Wastes reported by businesses as being difficult to dispose of include in particular filters, hoses, tyres (historic stocks), cartridges and oil rags.
Businesses interested in a collection operation to achieve conformity with the regulations, at a minimum cost
Three-quarters of the businesses interviewed would be in favour of a collection operation for their wastes as long as the cost of recovery remains modest. In this case, 16 km Is the average time that entrepreneurs are ready to take to dispose of their waste In a collection point.