Company turns broom factory’s scrap wood into biomass stove fuel

Washington, Ia. – Scrap wood from a broom factory is being turned into biomass fuel for stoves.

Practical Environmental Solutions Inc. turns the scrap wood from a Fairfield broom maker into inch-long Biomass Power Pellets.

Production began two weeks ago, and five full-time workers are learning on the job.

“It’s a new industry,” said Lee Strait, 28, of Iowa City, who handles marketing. “It’s not an easy process and the stoves are just taking off.”

The company has been using scrap wood for the pellets, but a shipment of switchgrass is scheduled to arrive to make hybrid pellets.