[USCC] Landfilling vs. composting

[Allison L H Jack]

Hi all,

Some more info...

Smith, A., K. Brown, S. Ogilvie, K. Rushton, and J. Bates. 2001. "Waste 
management options and climate change: Report to the European Commission." 
from http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/studies/pdf/climate_change.pdf.

This European study does a great transparent analysis (meaning you can 
follow along as they are very clear about what costs and benefits are 
included, and which are not) on greenhouse gases and various organic waste 
management strategies. In their calculations, municipal composting 
(including all gases emitted from transport, composting, bagging etc. plus 
the benefit of partially replacing peat as a potting mix amendment, 
partially replacing synthetic fertilizers, and sequestering a small amount 
of carbon in soils with long term amendment) was a better option than 
landfilling.

Happy calculating,
Allison

**************************************************************************************
Allison L H Jack
Graduate Student
Department of Plant Pathology
Cornell University
335 Plant Science
Ithaca, NY 14850
607.273.5762
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