Ever wondered what happens to fallen branches and felled trees in Singapore?
A Chinese woman living in Singapore recently spotted workers using a woodchipper machine under a HDB block. Branches and twigs from a huge tree were fed into the woodchipper, producing mulch that is placed onto the base of another tree.
Surprised by the sight, she wrote: “I don’t really understand this. Due to recent rainpour, fallen branches and leaves had accumulated under the tree. No one came to move it away, but instead, it was dealt with on the spot.”
She continued: “However, I have some doubts: Is this really more sustainable for the environment, and does this really reduce the cost of manual labour?”
If you didn’t know, wood waste collected in Singapore is collected and sorted before undergoing processes such as shredding and chipping. The processed pieces are then reused as mulch, compost, and biofuel.
Ever seen wood chips at the base of trees? Those are used to preserve the moisture in soil, improve its overall quality, and reduce weed growth.
The woman’s take on the situation sparked a lively discussion in her comments section, with many explaining the benefits behind the idea.
“Isn’t that great? Not a single branch is put to waste,” read one comment.
The woman replied, asking if it “wastes electricity” and “is less cost-efficient than simply purchasing fertilizer”.
She also believed that it is “easier to move the branches than to move the machine”, adding that it might be cheaper to process all the branches at a central facility.
However, others explained that such wood chipping machines often only require diesel fuel to run, and are relatively low-costing.
Another netizen also argued that this method is more cost-efficient than what she suggested, as it will ultimately require more manpower to collect the branches and redistribute them.
The general consensus was that the wood chipping method provides an environmentally sustainable solution to what might be considered waste.
“Where do you expect them to throw it? Into the sea? This is one of the most eco-friendly methods to deal with the branches, and it’s not all about saving money,” asserted one netizen.
Another added: “This is very straightforward, haven’t you seen other countries doing the same?”
The woman stuck to her guns, insisting that it would be “more cost-efficient” to process the branches in bulk. She also revealed that she’s from a “village”, and has never seen something so “advanced”.
When asked how China deals with fallen branches, she simply replied: “I’d also like to know if there are more environmentally sustainable methods to deal with this.”
Who would’ve thought that a simple process such as upcycling branches would be such food for thought for one person?