[USCC] More on Dog and Cat Waste Composting

Thu Aug 9 09:49:07 CDT 2007

Dear Ray et al.:

Will Brinton made some excellent comments in his recent post, as did
others.

First, there are pathogens in pet wastes, both pet and human. Pregnant
women are advised to avoid cat wastes due to pathogen issues, and
intestinal worms and some other diseases are well known to be passed
from dog wastes. I am not expert on these diseases, but I think we can
all agree that applying untreated pet wastes in gardens is not a
reasonable practice. Not as dangerous as wastes from infected humans,
but not good practice.

For pathogen reduction guidance, I refer you to the US-EPA regulations
on biosolids composting. 5 days at 55C for all "new" waste meets the
Processes to Further Reduce Pathogens reduction guidance, or some number
of days of turning compost with the inside reaching particular
temperature for so many days in a row.

Excessive heating may kill pathogens faster, but would slow the
composting process. Most agree that after the 5-day kill period, mixing
and re-heating and aerated curing aid in pathogen reduction and in OM
stabilization. We always have multiple goals in composting, both to
reduce pathogens, stabilize the easily degraded organic matter (to
protect plants from biodegradation byproducts and gases generated when
raw wastes are mixed with soils), stabilize the C:N ratio so that the
product is a fertilizer, etc.

With Will Brinton's comment, it is clear that pet waste composting can
be effective and useful products generated. The other issues raised are
daily collection amounts to get started composting, plastic vs.
biodegradable bags, etc. These are practical issues. Large scale zoo
projects are very different from neighborhood pet waste collection and
processing. And regarding starters, although some sell such products,
most facilities use only finished compost as a starter or bulking agent
with new input organic feedstocks. Pet wastes and the general
environment contain diverse microbes which inoculate compost feedstock
mixtures.

On another subject, Ms. Reilly commented about plywood sawdust
composting recently, and suggested that this would be unlawful in
Canada. I am surprised by this comment, or that she may have lumped
plywood sawdust in with painted wood. We have had many discussions about
the potential problems from CCA or PCP treated wood, or Pb painted wood
entering composting operations. Clearly that is not acceptable because
of As, PCP-dioxin or Pb in the finished compost. But plywood sawdust
should be readily biodegradable. Chunks of plywood may be harder to
break up and biodegrade as rapidly as ground wood, but the formaldehyde
is very biodegradable. A compost filter should remove formaldehyde
effectively. And compost in plant media in homes should help reduce such
compounds from indoor air. Some have reported on using plants and
compost media in phytoremediation of indoor air. Not so many useful
papers on this yet, but the evidence seems strong to me. Another benefit
of living compost within homes. Yes, plants can metabolize some of the
indoor air pollutants, but compost in the rooting zone contribute to
this reduction by their diverse metabolic capability.

Regards,

Rufus Chaney
Beltsville, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Ray Hays
Sent: Friday, August 03, 2007 1:59 PM
To: rayhays at envoyinvestments.com; compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
Subject: Re: [USCC] Dog and Cat Waste Composting

Thanks to everyone with their feedback on pet waste composting. Three
more questions... Feedback on any of the questions is appreciated!

  1. KILLING PATHOGENS --The main "scare" around pet waste is pathogens.
I know that heat (145 degrees plus) work to kill off most or all
pathogens. What about "all natural" composting accelerators? Like this
one:

http://www.composters.com/compost-supplies/pedian-h-accelerator_183_3.ph
p

  Or maybe a manure degrader, such as this:

http://www.naturalenviro.com/productinfo.php?sku=6000-101&surl=manure-de
grader

  Any thoughts or recommendations on how these additives will assist in
killing pathogens?

  2. COMPOSTABLE BAGS -- Of course, most dog poop is collected in
plastic bags. Does anyone have experience with
biodegradable/"compostable" bags? Can they work in a smaller composter,
such as 50 gallons or less? How long do they take to biodegrade?

  Can an accelorator (see question above) assist in breaking down the
bags?

  3. REGULATIONS ON COMMERCIAL COMPOSTING -- As I will be doing this as
part of a business, what types of regulatory issues would I expect?
(Again, it would be a small operation to begin, maybe a couple 30-50
gallon composting bins.)  My initial research in Arizona suggests that I
would just need to follow some basic guidelines, and I would be subject
to inspection from time to time. Any experience on regulatory issues
around the U.S.?

  Thanks in advance.
  Ray Hays

Ray Hays <rayhays at envoyinvestments.com> wrote:
    My company will launch a pet waste disposal company. Our main focus
will be on dog waste cleanup ("poop scooping"). I am disappointed that
this pet waste usually ends up in landfills.

  We are seeking a commercially viable solution to "recycling" dog waste
through composting and selling it to landscaping companies. My research
indicates that dog waste cannot be used for compost that is used on food
crops or vegetable gardens, but I am hoping to use it for non-food
plants. Our collection might be in the range of 25-50 gallons of doggy
doo a day.

  Can anyone provide insight or research on composting pet waste?

  Thanks in advance.
  Ray Hays

  rayhays at envoyinvestments.com

Ray Hays 

Envoy Investments, LLC
email: rayhays at envoyinvestments.com
  tel: +1 714 797 3386
  fax: +1 866 846 9064

www.envoyinvestments.com

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