Low Cost Processing of Cotton Gin Byproducts for Use as a Hydromulch, an Erosion Control Blanket, and a Annual Bedding Plant Mulch

For every cotton bale produced an average of 375 lbs of cotton gin byproduct byproduct is generated. This translates into approximately 3 million tons of cotton gin waste every year. The accumulation of byproducts behind a gin, during the ginning season, can be substantial. Cotton gin byproducts are also a health, management and ecological problem for the cotton industry. The limited and inadequate means of disposing it are costing the cotton industry and ultimately the public money. The proposed SBIR project will translate into economic gains for the cotton industry and environmental gains wherever erosion control is needed. Support the sustainment of the cotton industry by meeting their need to recycle cotton gin byproducts. Further, it will accomplish this in such a way as to reduce the need to burn and bury the byproducts. Finally, it will reduce the cost of producing cotton by creating a beneficial and profitable method to recycle cotton gin byproducts. It is expected to result in the production of several value-added mulch products that are superior to the current industry standards for erosion control and green industries.