Shredded Plasterboard as bedding

[Sheep135]

We are currently able to get shredded plasterboard mixed with lime delivered in for free for bedding. With a rough 6 inch covering it will last about a week, just wanting to know peoples thoughts on it?

 

[Bob c]

free sounds good but
what do you do with later,,,does it rot down

 

[Rod Dumbreck]

We are currently able to get shredded plasterboard mixed with lime delivered in for free for bedding. With a rough 6 inch covering it will last about a week, just wanting to know peoples thoughts on it?

There is a safety issue with slurry pits and gypsum iirc, and when I looked at a sample there was a fair amount of the foam insulation and silver coloured backing

 

[Alf]

Free would frighten me

 

[Sheep135]

free sounds good but
what do you do with later,,,does it rot down

I don't really know which is the main reason I posted on here to see if any one knows anything more.

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Could never need to lime ground again

Unless your ground is already alkaline of course.

Why would it be free? How much does it cost them to get rid of it normally? What about the waste "duty of care" and is it still a waste product (wouldn't want the EA to come looking for who is taking lots of waste without a permit).

Interesting though. Bedding is getting very dear.

Shredded paper or fine wood pulp can be cheap as well.

 

[Turra farmer]

Lots of plasterboard waste here. Free for collection

 

[Sheep135]

Could never need to lime ground again

Unless your ground is already alkaline of course.

Why would it be free? How much does it cost them to get rid of it normally? What about the waste "duty of care" and is it still a waste product (wouldn't want the EA to come looking for who is taking lots of waste without a permit).

Interesting though. Bedding is getting very dear.

Shredded paper or fine wood pulp can be cheap as well.

Apparently plasterboard is very expensive to get rid of. The man delivering it has bought brand 2 new artic lorries and trailer purely for doing this so must be making money somewhere.

 

[Ukjay]

I am not totally convinced that Hydrogen Sulphide is not produced when it's used for the bedding yet - so for me, unless there was a 100% guarantee it is safe and they write a contract that is legally binding to state they will cover any legal costs etc, it would be a no.

You basically end up with waste you can do nothing with cost effectively, unless you bury it like some do.

 

[foxbox]

Someone was telling me that there are different grades of waste wood (bear with me) and that only the cleanest grade is classed as ok to spread on farmland. The other two contain impurities such as glue etc which if spotted during an EA or RPA inspection could lead to SFP deductions. I'd be very concerned if you've got any foam or foil backing etc in it as you're leaving yourself open to a kicking as a result. There's a lot being spread on arable land around here, not heard of any being used as bedding though.

 

[Ballygreenan]

Plasterboard is as hazardous as asbestos. Would you accept asbestos bedding materials for free?

 

[Turra farmer]

Plasterboard is as hazardous as asbestos. Would you accept asbestos bedding materials for free?

In what way ?

 

[Ukjay]

In what way ?

I believe the person refers to the silica content - which can cause cancer of the lungs and silicosis.

 

[Ballygreenan]

I believe the person refers to the silica content - which can cause cancer of the lungs and silicosis.

You beat me to it. In my previous career I was an architectural technologist. We were constantly warned about gypsum dust on sites as well as asbestos.
Each material is fine in its own right but when disturbed or broken into fragments the dust given off by either is rather nasty.
Combined with that the fact of lethal levels of hydrogen sulphide given off when gypsum is mixed with animal waste, weather above or below ground means I personally wouldn't take the risk, even if I was offered money to take it.

 

[mo!]

Been there. Won't do it again.

 

[It was already broken.]

Google search says the dumping of plasterboard with biodegradable waste has been banned since 2007 due to hydrogen sulphide gas. Who suggested you use it @TWhist?

 

[Ukjay]

Here is the HSE literature on construction dust, which could in theory relate to shreaded plasterboard bedding when it is thrown around your farm.
It shows the conditions Plasterboard can potentially lead to if breathed in over extended periods. And the amount breathed in compared to a Penny!

Not worth the risks in my humble opinion.

 

[phillipe]

i use the stuff all day ,i would not let a animal near the rubbish,we have in the local collection center (skips) there is a plasterboard skip .thee is polystrene ,foam insulation ,also old plasterboard which could have any old nasty stuff in it or on it,

 

[Sheep135]

Google search says the dumping of plasterboard with biodegradable waste has been banned since 2007 due to hydrogen sulphide gas. Who suggested you use it @TWhist?

Yeah since everything I have found out on here we won't use it again, have only used it in 2 sheds for 2 weeks as a trial and luckily have not paid for anything. It was my uncle who is an agricultural merchant saw it advertised somewhere and got us a load to try, but like I said the man delivering it has bought 2 new artic lorries and trailer purely for delivering this to farmers as animal bedding.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Been there. Won't do it again.

Whys that?