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City study: Tacoma transfer center accepts 57,000 tons of wood annually; 95% estimated recoverable
Summary
An informational study presented to the IPS committee found Tacoma's transfer center processes about 57,000 tons of woody biomass annually and estimated roughly 95% of that tonnage could be diverted to higher‑value uses or composting; staff recommended improved data tracking, revised project specs and a centralized chip/log depot.
Mike Carey and Ryan Hebert presented findings from an urban wood‑reuse study (consultant: Cambium Carbon) that assessed options for diverting woody biomass generated by city operations and the wider Tacoma system.
Ryan Hebert said the landfill/transfer center receives over 57,000 tons of wood biomass annually from four primary sources and that, based on study analysis, about 95% of that material is recoverable for higher uses or composting rather than landfill. He described examples where hazardous trees with millable logs were chipped and hauled to infill rather than salvaged for milling or reuse. "They're not outliers... this is a typical outcome for a lack of a citywide salvage protocol around tree removals," Hebert said.
Presenters noted recent operational improvements: the city now has a two‑person arborist crew that handles young tree pruning and emergency removals and is projected to support roughly 2,000 removals/maintenance activities annually, generating an estimated 220 tons of woody biomass. The crew lacks the staffing and equipment to perform larger salvage (for safety reasons they cannot legally climb to remove larger trees), meaning the city will remain reliant on private contractors for some salvage opportunities.
The study mapped five opportunity pathways: (1) standardized and improved data collection and aggregation across city work groups; (2) revised contract and project specifications that prioritize reuse over disposal; (3) a centralized chip depot and log‑sort yard to stage material for later pickup; (4) workforce development and training (the presentation cited GrowCorp and a partnership with PowerCore Philadelphia); and (5) longer‑term regional initiatives and emerging technologies (biochar, renewable fuels, mass timber). Hebert urged focusing first on city operations as a practical, controllable stream for pilot interventions.
Council members asked for clarification about the share directed to the yard waste versus municipal solid waste streams and quality‑control issues for chips; staff noted contamination is a driver of landfill diversion and recommended a chip depot could offer grading and quality control. Presenters said they will pursue improved internal data collection and return with an implementation proposal for IPS consideration.
