Sawdust

We just made another trip to get free sawdust from the local wood mill.

It is kind of a pain to get the sawdust, so this time we loaded up as much as possible so we won’t have to get more for about six months. The mill provides sawdust for free. We fill up sturdy costals (bags) with the sawdust from a huge mountain in the back of the mill.

The two dogs who live at the mill always join us. They are awesome. And aggressive with their demands for attention.

We use the sawdust for two main purposes: in our composting toilets, and as a building material. For the toilets, a scoop of sawdust is thrown in after each use. This keeps the smell minimal, and also adds carbon to the compost mix. We know that this wood is harvested locally and is chemical-free.

As a building material, we occasionally add sawdust to our cob mixture. Sawdust lightens the mixture and increases the insulation; and, it’s free. We are always considering what waste products are available and creative ways we can put them to use.

What are some other ways we could use sawdust? Leave a comment with your ideas!