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Garden Mulch Shortage Reported
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MARCH 20, 2001 -- Gardeners in New England and Mid-Atlantic states may experience shortages in mulch supplies this season. Members of the Mulch and Soil Council (MSC) are reporting severe shortages in pine bark and pine by-products typically screened, processed and packaged for garden mulch. The shortages are the product of several downward economic trends in the forest products industry that are beyond the control of mulch producers. Recent closings of a large number of paper production facilities and sawmills up and down the eastern seaboard have stopped the flow of pine by-products used for mulch production. The plant closings are reportedly the result of poor market prices for lumber and paper and an influx of foreign goods that have displaced U.S.-made products. Throughout the region, the deregulation of the electric power industry and rising prices for oil and gas used to generate electricity have encouraged power companies to burn bark products as fuel. Biomass plants that typically supply mulch companies with raw materials are now consuming the resource themselves. The MSC survey of available raw material supplies indicates member companies reporting insufficient inventories to meet last year’s demand, which is expected to grow by 8% - 10% for 2001. The shortage of raw materials does not appear to be affecting hardwood mulch inventories in the eastern regions. |
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Caution On Alternative Mulches |
In recent years, many alternative mulches have been developed. With the addition of special colorants, new forms of reprocessed wood products may fill the void where natural pine supplies are unavailable. However, the MSC cautions consumers and retailers to make sure mulch products they buy are properly labeled for contents. Mulches labeled pine should be from pine trees and not colorized reprocessed hardwoods. Unfortunately, there is no present system to assist consumers in verifying mulch product labeling. However, the MSC will launch a voluntary industry product certification program later this year. Certified mulch products are expected to begin appearing in the Spring of 2002. A special certification seal will be displayed on product packages which meet industry standards for product labeling and nomenclature. Until then, consumers interested in mulch selection guides should visit the MSC web site at www.nbspa.org for assistance. The Mulch and Soil Council was formed in 1972 to promote standards, education and the common interests of companies processing, packaging and distributing horticultural mulches, consumer potting soils and commercial growing media. Its members produce the majority of retail mulch and soil products sold in the United States. For further information, contact the association at 10210 Leatherleaf Ct., Manassas, VA 20111. |
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Serving Industry Since 1972
Mulch and Soil Council 10210 Leatherleaf Ct., Manassas, VA 20111-4245 TEL: (703) 257-0111 / FAX: (703) 257-0213 info@mulchandsoilcouncil.org |
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Website created by Ryan LaGasse 2004
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