SALINE, Mich. -- Urban Ashes, a business committed to transforming fallen urban trees into lumber and other high-value products, has furthered its partnership with the City of Ann Arbor.

Last October Urban Ashes was awarded a $65,500 State of Michigan EGLE Market Development grant for its collaborative Circular UrbanWood Triconomy (CUT) program. The CUT model is a pioneering business framework aligned with the triple bottom line concept of People, Planet, and Profit. The program seeks to propel environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic diversity by optimizing the use of urban wood waste. 

The EGLE Market Development funding will help fund Urban Ashes’ pilot program with Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County to capture about 400 metric tons of carbon dioxide by diverting urban trees from the wood waste stream while providing startup business and career opportunities for citizens and youths that have had contact with the justice system.

“Urban Ashes is thrilled to continue our partnership with the City of Ann Arbor as we move through the last phases of the pilot CUT Program,” said Paul Hickman, founder and CEO of Urban Ashes. “Together, we are driving real change by maximizing urban wood utilization and creating opportunities for those who need it the most. We believe that by embracing a circular economy and focusing on sustainability, we can build a better future for our community and beyond.”

Urban Ashes is a founding member of the Urban Wood Network, a national organization advocating the highest-value use of trees removed from non-commercial forests including community parks and private residences.