Poplar Tree Technology

Using Creation to Clean

Traditional solutions in landfill, reuse, remediation, and riparian areas have involved membrane caps, chemical treatment, and heavy capital investments in infrastructure.

Poplar tree technology, when used as an alternative to these traditional solutions, can save more than 70 percent over conventional systems. Poplar trees have a number of inherent qualities that make them an ideal crop for this type of application. They are also an attractive and environmentally friendly alternative.

Key Attributes of Poplar Trees

• Very rapid growth
• Availability of wide range of improved varieties through industry and university research
• Deep rooting
• Allow higher waste loading rates than conventional crops
• Minimal site management, with harvest once every 6 to 12 years
• Tall, dense structure provides visual and odor barrier for site operations
• Provide wildlife habitat

For water reuse projects, we have the capability to offer large cost savings to our clients by replacing traditional grass or field crops with poplars. Because poplar trees have such a tremendous uptake capacity, less land is needed to absorb the given volume of reuse water. Passive Remediation Systems Ltd. (PRSI) offers our clients the option of receiving carbon credits for their plantation  adding more value to the overall picture. Moreover, poplar trees are a non-food crop that can be harvested for sale to the pulp and paper industry or potentially for veneer, moldings, etc.

Poplars are also being used in a unique new method for landfill closure. Landfill leachate can be collected and applied to the trees at a controlled rate. The poplars, which can be on a landfill cap or planted near the landfill, consume all the water. Therefore, a closed landfill can produce a valuable, self-sustaining low-maintenance biomass that enhances the local ecosystem and contributes to the local economy. Additional current and potential applications of poplar tree technology are summarized in the table below.

Poplar Technology Offers a Variety of Applications