[USCC] Compost Digest, Vol 39, Issue 12

[Chaney, Rufus]

Dear M. Jaikumar:

You should clarify the nature of any hazardous materials in the
pharmaceutical waste so we could advise. Some inorganics are a concern
and others are part of normal composts. Is this a production waste, or a
disposal of bad product waste? Antibiotic? Known to be biodegradable?

Several pharmaceutical production wastes (microbial media) are handled
by composting companies in several US states. So it may be possible that
you can find a way to do this. Settling on the safety seems the first
step, then looking at practical methods. Wet or dry or dewatered? Low
C:N or high C:N ratio. Need for additional drying organics, or carbon to
help retain the excess N from low C:N materials.

Rufus Chaney
Beltsville, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Dr. M.
Jaikumar (ETP)
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2007 1:48 AM
To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
Subject: Re: [USCC] Compost Digest, Vol 39, Issue 12

Does anybody know how to compost pharmaceuticals hazordous solidwaste
(organic and inorganic mixture)
using additional bulking agents.kindly give me the procedure to follow.
Thanks