WEIGHT AND SEE ABOUT WATER USAGE
October 1, 2025
Pennies matter in the mulch and soil business. A single cent per bag can be the difference between winning and losing a contract. Despite the slim margins, one essential component on the mulch yard is often under appreciated for its impact on the bottom line: water usage.
About 20% of the cost of every bag of mulch is freight. The answer to reducing these freight costs lies in water reduction. Using less water during the mulch coloring process results in less weight when bagging the product. The effects are compounding: less weight enables additional pallets per truckload; extra pallets per truck mean fewer trips required to make deliveries; fewer trips save on hours and wear and tear on the fleet.
Producers who have achieved this kind of water reduction have gone from 15 pallets per truck to between 18 to 20 pallets. Modern mulch coloring systems have helped achieve these efficiencies. A trommel may require about 20 gallons per yard, but leading machines can reduce that by 50% or more.
There are several indirect benefits to water reduction as well. Using less water often means less colorant is required for the mix. It enables the product to dry quicker and reduces the risk of mold. It makes bags a more manageable weight for the end user to carry from vehicles. And, in some drier regions that have begun to track cumulative usage, it helps the producer comply with local sustainability goals.