Posted by Sean Kennedy on Wed, Nov 04, 2009 @ 11:52 AM
What do we know about Biofuels? What I have learned in the past couple of weeks is that the food based ethanols from corn and soybeans work, but there is growing concern on how this can impact food supply and prices. In Europe and China there are major developments in turning wood into the next biofuel. He in Georgia at UGA a team of engineers has developed a new biofuel and unlike previous fuels derived from wood, the new and still unnamed fuel can be blended with biodiesel and petroleum diesel to power conventional engines.
"The exciting thing about our method is that it is very easy to do," said Tom Adams, director of the UGA Faculty of Engineering outreach service. "We expect to reduce the price of producing fuels from biomass dramatically with this technique."
Since this is very embryonic in its development there are several tests to effectively evaluate its long term impact on engines, its emissions characteristics and the best way to transport and store it. The research team is especially optimistic about the fuels impact on the environment.
Adams pointed out that the new biofuel also offers environmental benefits. The fuel is nearly carbon neutral, meaning that it does not significantly increase heat-trapping carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as long as new trees are planted to replace the ones used to create the fuel.
The researchers have also set up test plots in Tifton, Ga., to explore whether the charcoal that is produced when the fuel is made can be used as a fertilizer. Adams said that if the economics work for the charcoal fertilizer, the biofuel would actually be carbon negative.
"You're taking carbon out of the atmosphere when you grow a plant, and if you don't use all of that carbon and return some of it to the soil in an inert form, you're actually decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere," Adams explained. "We're optimistic because in most types of soil, carbon char has very beneficial effects on the ecology of the soil, its productivity and its ability to maintain fertility."
So it seems that wood is the next generation of biofuel. This is important to our industry simply because of the impact it could have on the cost of wood mulch. This is a great example of how EnviroColor ® top spray is prepared to help the consumer keep the look they desire at their respective properties while continuing to strive for an environmentally sustainable solution to the incoming price increase of wood mulch.
Posted by Sean Kennedy on Mon, Sep 21, 2009 @ 11:08 AM
Question: what is more valuable to your property, a thick layer of pine straw or great color all season long maximizing your dollars spent on your ground cover?
This is highly subjective and every opinion is valid. Commercially, property owners and managers are realizing that laying pine straw every six months keeps a nice thick layer of ground cover, but the color seems to last 60 days or so. Most are searching for alternatives to keep the curb appeal popping all season long while reducing their expenses in this economic climate. The future for commercial ground cover is coverage, color and value, not bale counts or yards. Differentiate your property now! Let the EnviroColor® service team help.
What is your preference?
Posted by Sean Kennedy on Wed, Sep 09, 2009 @ 07:22 AM
My two dogs have ruined my backyard! I noticed at the local dog park they used a nice dark brown colored mulch and I knew this was the solution to my problem. I went to my local 'big box' home improvement center after I determined how much mulch was needed to turn my dilapidated back yard into a fun, save and aesthetically pleasing dog run. I figured I need approximately 50 cubic yards to get the proper thickness to deal with drainage etc. so each bag covers 2-3 feet at 1 1/2 inches thick at nearly $4.00 dollars per bag, whoa! Too expensive for this frugal consumer. I called a couple of mulch yards and still out of my budget. Now I Google colored mulch. Up pops "EnviroColor." This water-based, non-toxic solution is harmless to the environment, surrounding plants and wildlife. Cool! I called the local tree service and they dropped off a truck load of "free, yes free" hardwood mulch. I toiled with the wheelbarrow and pitchfork to fill my ailing back yard with the wood chips and then got out the old STIHL backpack sprayer and followed the instructions on the 64 ounce bottle of EnviroColor I purchased on line. I will admit it took me a while and a couple of coats to get my desired color, but wow what an great, inexpensive perfect solution to my situation. So after a $40.00 spent on EnviroColor and a wee bit of elbow grease, I have a beautiful back yard dog run that is safe for the pets and english ivy that is creeping through the fence. So, instead of spending hundreds of dollars, or maybe even thousands to have it installed I got exactly what my pups needed with the added benefit of fixing the erosion issue that had developed since the dogs had killed all the grass. I promise to post a picture of the end result. I really wish I would have done before and after to ensure everyone could see what a transformation was made. If you have the time and are interested in a inexpensive colored mulch alternative, free mulch from your tree service and EnviroColor is the way to go!
www.envirocolor.com