Storm Water BMPs Open Doors to Other Sustainability Opportunities

The insurgence of sustainable design has shown that there are synergies between storm water management and other green building practices. A well-designed bio-retention cell collects and stores storm water while filtering pollutants, and looks like a landscape feature. The key to success for using best management practices lies in the soil, which acts as the filtration medium.

With over 60 years in soil science, Kurtz Bros., Inc. has a proven record in soil blending and recipe development. Kurtz Bros. uses re-purposed material wherever possible.

When asked why it uses what other people might consider waste, Greg Malone, Kurtz Bros. Director of Business Logistics, responds, “Why not? It’s vastly superior to harvesting virgin materials and yields a better finished product, preserves landfill space and reduces energy and the overall carbon footprint.”

With cooperation from EPA, ODNR, USDA, OSU and other research facilities, Kurtz Bros. shows using recycled materials is environmentally and agronomically superior to virgin amendments. Kurtz Bros.’ introduction of Hydro Clear Bio-retention Soil, a proprietary blend of recycled and natural sand, Technagro Compost, and loam, is based on research that shows it provides the right environment for pollutant removal and plant growth.

As Malone says, “It isn’t waste until it’s wasted!” Kurtz Bros. involvement in other storm water BMPs like permeable paving and green roofs makes it a valuable resource in site development and LEED certification. Located in Independence, Ohio, its staff includes LEED Green Associates, ICPI-certified instructors, soil scientists and environmental engineers ready to assist in design, specification or implementation.

Calcium Chloride Available at Columbus Stores!

All Kurtz Bros. locations in Central Ohio are now stocked with Calcium Chloride salt.

While more expensive than Rock Salt, Calcium Chloride is perfect for sidewalks and concrete drives as it does not damage the concrete.

Individual bags cost $15.20 and if you buy a full pallet bags cost $14.05.

Central Ohio to Host International Summit on Ecological Sustainability

Central Ohio will host as many as 2,000 of the world’s most recognized ecologists as EcoSummit 2012 comes to Columbus September 30-October 5, 2012. . The theme of this international summit is “Ecological Sustainability: Restoring the Planet’s Ecosystem Services.”

EcoSummit 2012, is being led by William Mitsch, an internationally recognized wetlands ecologist, distinguished professor and director of Ohio State’s Olentangy River Wetland Research Park. The City of Columbus, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and OSU are hosts of the summit.

This will be the fourth EcoSummit and it will place Central Ohio on a worldwide stage with cities such as Copenhagen, Halifax Nova Scotia and Beijing – the summits’ previous host cities.

Organizers have recently launched a new Web site for the summit. Learn more by visitingwww.EcoSummit2012.org

Kurtz Bros. in Cleveland is Hiring!

Kurtz Bros. in Cleveland is now hiring!

Head over to our website and apply now!

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Kurtz Cares Non Profit of the Day: Capital Human Society

Kurtz Cares is great program courtesy of Kurtz Bros. Inc. that exemplifies our continued effort to give back to the local community.

For those unaware of the program any retail customer can pick one of the many local non-profits that are enrolled in Kurtz Cares and a portion of the proceeds of their purchase will be donated to said non-profit.

The Kurtz Cares non-profit of the day is the Capital Area Human Society:

It is the Capital Area Humane Society’s vision that all animals live free of suffering and all companion animals are valued members of loving and caring families. We fight animal cruelty, help animals in need and advocate for their well-being.

The Capital Area Humane Society helps more than 10,000 animals each year. We bring valuable services to people and animals in our community, including animal cruelty investigations, animal adoptions and admissions, education and outreach, access to spay/neuter services and more.

As a non-profit organization, contributions are our primary source of support. We are not a government agency and do not receive operating support from national organizations.

If you'd like to enroll a Central Ohio non-profit in Kurtz Cares please send Zak Woods an email at zakw[at]kurtzcoh[dot]com

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New Compostable Mesh Leaf Bags

Brown paper yard waste bags are a staple of the fall in Ohio.

First, one has to wonder, "why do we even use brown paper bags?" Because they're biodegradable!

Local municipalities often re-direct organic waste to be recycled or reused and that's exactly what Kurtz Bros. specializes in!

However, there is a dirty little secret about brown paper yard waste bags -- they hide contaminants.

Contaminants can be anything from plastic, to trash, to treated wood (that's a big no, no!) and all these bad agents make it difficult for Kurtz Bros. to recycle the material as it adds an extra layer of workdue to the need to spot the contaminant material and then remove it.


Luckily there is a solution for both the recycler and the home owner who wants a simple and effective manner to remove yard waste -- dsolv™ bags.

"The dsolv™ system allows homeowners to more quickly and easily fill each of the bags with up to 60 pounds of yard waste. Homeowners simply make a knot on the top of the mesh bag and then use a fist-sized ergonomic carrying handle to transport the bag curbside for pickup. For haulers and compost facilities, the dsolv™ bag is easily recognizable and clearly marked as compostable. Unlike paper yard waste bags, it will not tear if it becomes wet and is easier to load into the garbage truck. Finally, the mesh bag construction enables easier identification of unwanted contaminants."

Plus they are biodegradable:

"The new dsolv™ bags are made from a bio-resin. Corn and other plants are processed to form a starch compound that is used to create the bags. The resin is 100 percent compostable, yet the bag offers strength and a long shelf life. The new bags do not degrade when exposed to rain, oxygen and sunlight. Only when they are placed in a composting environment, do the bags begin to biodegrade. Under ideal composting conditions, the bag breaks down in about six months."

One Kurtz Bros. employee estimates that using dsolvbags can reduce the amount of contaminants up to 50%. That's a win win for both the recyclers and the home owner.

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For more information head to dsolvbag.com

Winter Has Arrived!

The official start for winter might be December 21st but many of us in Columbus, Ohio woke up this morning to freezing temperatures, a slight dusting of snow and worse of all -- ice!

Luckily Kurtz Bros. has bulk Rock Salt available at all of our locations in Columbus and Cleveland.

In fact, Kurtz Bros. locations in Cleveland are currently running a Salt Clearance Sale with 50lbs. bags costing $4 per bag with full pallet purchase and 80lbs. bags costing $6.25 per bag with full pallet purchase.

Call (614) 43-MULCH for more information about Columbus pricing.

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Disclaimer: Pricing in image for Columbus locations only.