[USCC] Compost vs. Landfilling

[Rynk, Robert F]

Given the typical assumptions made for these types of calculations, why
would compost ever come out as being better?! The calculations do well
in including the energy consumed in composting but do not credit
composting with any benefits, beyond the fact that little methane is
generated. Typically the EPA calculations also do not credit compost for
nutrients returned and conserved in the soil, which could be a large
energy and GHG offset due to reduced fertilizer manufacture and
transport. Without providing these types of credits, there is no way
mathematically why composting would lower GHG emissions or save energy.
But with these benefits, I bet the picture would look good. We just need
someone to reasonably quantify these savings.

Furthermore, having visited many landfills that capture methane gas, I
am convinced that EPA's estimates of the fraction of methane captured by
landfills are well above the reality for the average landfill.
Consequently, the estimates of fugitive methane emissions at landfills
are well below what a typical landfill is leaking. Thus, landfills get a
double bonus within the calculations (i.e. more energy and methane
captured and less methane emitted to the atmosphere).

The game is not being played on a level playing field. -- Bob Rynk 


 
Robert Rynk
SUNY, Cobleskill
122 Curtis-Mott Hall
Cobleskill, NY  12043
 
518-255-5691
rynkrf at cobleskill.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of David
Goldstein
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 12:29 PM
To: Compost Discussion List
Subject: Re: [USCC] Compost vs. Landfilling

"Landfilling organics is better than composting, according to EPA data."
That's the shocking headline; now for the caveats...

It looks like the EPA's WARM on-line calculator (
http://epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/waste/tools.html#warm  ) has data
inputs indicating that in some circumstances, for at least one
measurement of environmental consequences, landfilling organics is
better than collecting them at the curbside and composting them. If a
landfill recovers methane for energy, and if the organics for composting
are collected on a typical curbside collection route, the calculation
shows the curbside collection and composting resulting in more carbon
emissions than the mixed waste/organics collection with landfilling.


This, of course, doesn't account for other environmental benefits of
composting and mulching unrelated to climate change, such as retention
of topsoil, suppression of weeds without use of chemicals, and
conservation of water. In fact, since the pumping of water to southern
California is one of our biggest users of energy, it may be that factors
related to the use of compost, rather than just related to the handling
of green waste, actually could make yard waste recycling programs net
greenhouse gas reducers compared to landfilling.

D.G.


On Aug 30, 2007, at 10:42 AM, Osborne, Ted wrote:

> Are there any recent study's on composting versus landfilling for:
> A: Leachate production and collection
> B: Gas production, collection, use.	
>
> Theodore W. Osborne
> Project Coordinator - Rural Solid Waste County of Erie Environment & 
> Planning Edward A. Rath County Office BLDG.
> 95 Franklin Street, Room 1077
> Buffalo, NY 14202
> Ph. 716-858-8077
> Fax 716-858-7713
>
> osbornet at erie.gov
>
> www.erie.gov/environment/compliance/index.asp
>
> -----Original Message-----
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Join us at the US Composting Council's 16th Annual Conference & Trade
Show Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland, CA | February 9-12, 2008.
The National forum for those involved in the development and expansion
of the composting and organics recycling industry.
Conference Highlights, Registration forms, Exhibitor information and
Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website:
www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
________________________________________________________________________
______
Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
_______________________________________
This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights
reserved

Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the
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Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its
website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm 

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Join us at the US Composting Council's 16th Annual Conference & Trade
Show Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland, CA | February 9-12, 2008.
The National forum for those involved in the development and expansion
of the composting and organics recycling industry.
Conference Highlights, Registration forms, Exhibitor information and
Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website:
www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
________________________________________________________________________
______
Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
_______________________________________
This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights
reserved

Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the
Foundation, or the Board of Directors.

Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its
website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm

Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their
posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and
information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other
options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost

For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send
a message to the List Manager at
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