From hgb4 at cornell.edu Mon Dec 15 10:43:47 2008 From: hgb4 at cornell.edu (Helanna Bratman) Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:43:47 -0500 Subject: [USCC] School Cafeteria Waste Message-ID: <49468943.30108@cornell.edu> Hello, I am working with an elementary school Principal in Beacon, NY to set up a school-wide compost system. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions, recommendations, or other projects that they can think of where the school cafeteria waste is composted on site. We have worm bins in many of the classes but I am looking for something that can absorb a larger quantity each day. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks. -Helanna From alexassoc at earthlink.net Mon Dec 15 12:53:35 2008 From: alexassoc at earthlink.net (alexassoc@earthlink.net) Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:53:35 -0500 Subject: [USCC] Dilutions to Thresholds Message-ID: <001a01c95ee6$6f5cede0$4e16c9a0$@net> Hello Compost World, Does anyone know if there are any States that have an odor standard for composting facilities based on actual odor monitoring technologies? For instance, are any states using 'dilutions to threshold' in their State composting regulations or are there any composting facilities finding dilutions to threshold in their operations permit? Thanks for the feedback, Ron Ron Alexander R. Alexander Associates, Inc. 1212 Eastham Drive Apex, NC 27502 USA 919-367-8350 919-367-8351 fax alexassoc at earthlink.net www.alexassoc.net From Brian.Rosa at ncmail.net Mon Dec 15 13:09:45 2008 From: Brian.Rosa at ncmail.net (Brian Rosa) Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:09:45 -0500 Subject: [USCC] School Cafeteria Waste Message-ID: <8D15541F2E16C84B8BE05C60FF5F0389018C01E2@exchange.sys.p2pays.org> Hi Helanna, There are lots of models out there that can be found by Google. When looking at on-site composting at a school there are several things to be considered; Local health department approval, state rules, regulations and possible permits to start. Then, access the amount (pounds per day) and type of food waste to be collected and/or composted. This info will help to decide what technology to use (Vermi-composting if processing vegetable and paper only or thermophilic composting if including meats and other proteins) and how big a system is needed. When the size and technology is determined, you can then figure the costs associated with setting up the project. Also include collection containers, labor for collection and processing, cleaning of the containers. Who is going to be handling and the processing of food to be composted ? You might have to get the cafeteria, housekeeping or maintenance staff involved in providing the labor. I would not recommend using PTA or teaching staff to volunteers to operate the compost project. Chances are the project has incurred a substantial cost and should be looked at as a long term project. When presenting the proposal to the Principal and staff, highlight the fact that this is a long term and ongoing project ! I do not want to be a party pooper, but I have seen many projects start and slowly disappear because of either the volunteers get burned out, parents of students move on with their kids to other schools, coordinators (whoever is in charge of project)leave or lose interest, and staff feel that they already have too much to do and are having a hard time adding more work to their already busy day. With this said, on-site composting along with a comprehensive recycling program should reduce the waste to landfill by over 80 %. The only things that will be being thrown away are some plastic wrappers, strapping, and misc plastics that are not easily recycled. These un-recyclable materials can be eliminated by consciously purchasing only packaging, products and containers that are recyclable and are made of recycle content. If the school and the school district are not green purchasing and recycling, chances are they are not going to compost their food scraps either ! Just my opinion ! Compost for the Health of the Planet, Brian Rosa, Organic Recycling Specialist NC DENR, Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance (DPPEA) 919-715-6524 810-252-8303 cell Email: brian.rosa at ncmail.net Web: p2pays.org/compost -----Original Message----- From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Helanna Bratman Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 11:44 AM To: Compost Discussion List Subject: [USCC] School Cafeteria Waste Hello, I am working with an elementary school Principal in Beacon, NY to set up a school-wide compost system. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions, recommendations, or other projects that they can think of where the school cafeteria waste is composted on site. We have worm bins in many of the classes but I am looking for something that can absorb a larger quantity each day. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks. -Helanna _______________________________________ Join us as the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show, January 26-29, 2009 at the Westin Galleria, Houston, TX. The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of 11 Training Courses, 100+ Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations from 20+ Manufacturers. Conference Highlights & Program, 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org From bworganics at neto.com Mon Dec 15 14:31:04 2008 From: bworganics at neto.com (BW Organics) Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:31:04 -0600 Subject: [USCC] School Cafeteria Waste References: <49468943.30108@cornell.edu> Message-ID: Hi Helanna, There are several schools and prisons using the invessel, rotating drum technology with great success. Call Dr. Nick Smith-Sebasto at Montclair State University, phone 973-945-9150 for details. Bernie B. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Helanna Bratman" To: "Compost Discussion List" Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 10:43 AM Subject: [USCC] School Cafeteria Waste > Hello, > I am working with an elementary school Principal in Beacon, NY to set up > a school-wide compost system. I am wondering if anyone has any > suggestions, recommendations, or other projects that they can think of > where the school cafeteria waste is composted on site. We have worm > bins in many of the classes but I am looking for something that can > absorb a larger quantity each day. Any suggestions would be > appreciated! Thanks. > -Helanna > _______________________________________ > Join us as the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade > Show, January 26-29, 2009 at the Westin Galleria, Houston, TX. The Largest > Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & > Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of 11 Training > Courses, 100+ Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & > "Live" Equipment Demonstrations from 20+ Manufacturers. > Conference Highlights & Program, 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org From tnthomas at terre-source.com Mon Dec 15 16:04:34 2008 From: tnthomas at terre-source.com (Tamara Thomas) Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:04:34 -0800 Subject: [USCC] School Cafeteria Waste In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <09A044C27CBC4B27AB1339697162A8A3@MSMCE> Hi Helanna, In-school composting is a terrific activity - I've been helping with King County schools for almost 5 years now and just spoke at WORC's Annual Conference on the benefits of a "Full Circle" approach. They've promised to post the presentations on their website http://www.compostwashington.org/ but I see they aren't up yet. Check for there for my presentation in the next few days. One system I've worked with is an Earth Tub. It is manufactured by Green Mountain Technologies and works great for a school cafeteria - but any system should be sized for the waste expected. You can perform a Waste Audit, by setting up a food waste separation and collection program and measuring the food waste generated. I always recommend maintaining that program even if you don't have a system set up yet. Keep records & watch your waste generation. You might be able to reduce the volume with just awareness. Try to contract with a hauler to take the foodwaste to a local composter until your system is in place and fully shaken down. Washington State Department of Ecology operates 2 Earth Tubs and has put together a document about Institutional Composting that might also be of help. Its available at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0607033.html Feel free to contact me off-line to talk about your particular situation. Best wishes & Happy Composting! Tami Tamara Thomas, P.E. Terre-SourceLLC Helping Compost Happen! 360-336-3536 Office 360-336-3530 FAX 425-844-6068 Field Hello, I am working with an elementary school Principal in Beacon, NY to set up a school-wide compost system. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions, recommendations, or other projects that they can think of where the school cafeteria waste is composted on site. We have worm bins in many of the classes but I am looking for something that can absorb a larger quantity each day. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks. -Helanna _______________________________________ From mian461 at ECY.WA.GOV Mon Dec 15 16:36:47 2008 From: mian461 at ECY.WA.GOV (Andrews, Michelle (ECY)) Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:36:47 -0800 Subject: [USCC] FW: School Cafeteria Waste Message-ID: <26C2BEE3F5933642ABF5751ECA9CDE0001158EBF@EcyMXLcy02.ecy.wa.lcl> Hello Helanna. In addition to Tamara's email, here are a few more resources from the NW: Eugene (Oregon): http://www.eugene-or.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_13467_0_0_1 8/4J%20Earth%20Tub%20BPM.pdf King County (WA): http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/ksd/CW/greenschool.htm (click on "bEARTHa" the Pig) http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/greenschools/waskowitz-school.asp http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/garbage-recycling/documents/Onsite _food_pilot_final-report.pdf Michelle Andrews (360) 407-6113 mian461 at ecy.wa.gov Dept of Ecology P.O. Box 47600 Olympia WA 98504-7600 "We can transition to a society where waste is viewed as inefficient, and where most wastes and toxic substances have been eliminated. This will contribute to economic, social and environmental vitality." Beyond Waste -----Original Message----- From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Helanna Bratman Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 8:44 AM To: Compost Discussion List Subject: [USCC] School Cafeteria Waste Hello, I am working with an elementary school Principal in Beacon, NY to set up a school-wide compost system. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions, recommendations, or other projects that they can think of where the school cafeteria waste is composted on site. We have worm bins in many of the classes but I am looking for something that can absorb a larger quantity each day. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks. -Helanna _______________________________________ Join us as the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show, January 26-29, 2009 at the Westin Galleria, Houston, TX. The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of 11 Training Courses, 100+ Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations from 20+ Manufacturers. Conference Highlights & Program, 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org From hgb4 at cornell.edu Fri Dec 19 13:30:52 2008 From: hgb4 at cornell.edu (Helanna Bratman) Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:30:52 -0500 Subject: [USCC] FW: School Cafeteria Waste In-Reply-To: <26C2BEE3F5933642ABF5751ECA9CDE0001158EBF@EcyMXLcy02.ecy.wa.lcl> References: <26C2BEE3F5933642ABF5751ECA9CDE0001158EBF@EcyMXLcy02.ecy.wa.lcl> Message-ID: <494BF66C.4060108@cornell.edu> Thank you to everyone who responded with information about school composting. I got some great information. I will let the listserve know what the district decides and how it goes. -Helanna Andrews, Michelle (ECY) wrote: > Hello Helanna. In addition to Tamara's email, here are a few more > resources from the NW: > > Eugene (Oregon): > http://www.eugene-or.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_13467_0_0_1 > 8/4J%20Earth%20Tub%20BPM.pdf > > King County (WA): > http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/ksd/CW/greenschool.htm (click on "bEARTHa" the > Pig) > > http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/greenschools/waskowitz-school.asp > > http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/garbage-recycling/documents/Onsite > _food_pilot_final-report.pdf > > > Michelle Andrews > (360) 407-6113 > mian461 at ecy.wa.gov > Dept of Ecology > P.O. Box 47600 > Olympia WA 98504-7600 > "We can transition to a society where waste is viewed as inefficient, > and where most wastes and toxic substances have been eliminated. This > will contribute to economic, social and environmental vitality." Beyond > Waste > > -----Original Message----- > From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com > [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Helanna > Bratman > Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 8:44 AM > To: Compost Discussion List > Subject: [USCC] School Cafeteria Waste > > Hello, > I am working with an elementary school Principal in Beacon, NY to set up > > a school-wide compost system. I am wondering if anyone has any > suggestions, recommendations, or other projects that they can think of > where the school cafeteria waste is composted on site. We have worm > bins in many of the classes but I am looking for something that can > absorb a larger quantity each day. Any suggestions would be > appreciated! Thanks. > -Helanna > _______________________________________ > Join us as the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade > Show, January 26-29, 2009 at the Westin Galleria, Houston, TX. The > Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, > Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive > Program of 11 Training Courses, 100+ Educational & Technical > Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations from > 20+ Manufacturers. > Conference Highlights & Program, 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 > compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org > _______________________________________ > Join us as the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show, January 26-29, 2009 at the Westin Galleria, Houston, TX. The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of 11 Training Courses, 100+ Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations from 20+ Manufacturers. > Conference Highlights & Program, 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org > > From alexassoc at earthlink.net Wed Dec 24 05:46:21 2008 From: alexassoc at earthlink.net (alexassoc@earthlink.net) Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2008 06:46:21 -0500 Subject: [USCC] Compost Case Studies in California Message-ID: <002601c965bd$3dfaca00$b9f05e00$@net> Hello Compost World, I am interested in identifying successful compost use projects in the State of California, especially those that are municipal/government based projects. If anyone out there has any leads on projects, I would appreciate it if you could pass them on to me (contact names, phone numbers, e-mails). I am interested in documenting some of these projects as case studies. Thanks, Ron Alexander Ron Alexander R. Alexander Associates, Inc. 1212 Eastham Drive Apex, NC 27502 USA 919-367-8350 919-367-8351 fax alexassoc at earthlink.net www.alexassoc.net From oecos at earthlink.net Wed Dec 24 17:25:20 2008 From: oecos at earthlink.net (Jeffrey Creque) Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:25:20 -0800 Subject: [USCC] Compost Case Studies in California Message-ID: <380-2200812324232520671@earthlink.net> Hi Ron; the Bolinas-Stinson Beach project has been running for over a decade; it handles green waste from the two communities and operates under the auspices of the two water districts and two fire protection districts. Happy to discuss further if you are interested. Jeff Creque Project co-founder and technical consultant > [Original Message] > From: > To: Compost Discussion List > Date: 12/24/2008 7:09:18 AM > Subject: [USCC] Compost Case Studies in California > > Hello Compost World, > > > > I am interested in identifying successful compost use projects in the State > of California, especially those that are municipal/government based > projects. If anyone out there has any leads on projects, I would appreciate > it if you could pass them on to me (contact names, phone numbers, e-mails). > I am interested in documenting some of these projects as case studies. > > > > Thanks, > > Ron Alexander > > > > > > > > Ron Alexander > R. Alexander Associates, Inc. > 1212 Eastham Drive > Apex, NC 27502 > USA > 919-367-8350 > 919-367-8351 fax > alexassoc at earthlink.net > www.alexassoc.net > > _______________________________________ > Join us as the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show, January 26-29, 2009 at the Westin Galleria, Houston, TX. The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of 11 Training Courses, 100+ Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations from 20+ Manufacturers. > Conference Highlights & Program, 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org From cscoker at verizon.net Mon Dec 29 13:13:12 2008 From: cscoker at verizon.net (Craig Coker) Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:13:12 -0500 Subject: [USCC] Compostable Plastics Seminar announcement Message-ID: The North Carolina Composting Council (a state chapter of the USCC) invites you to attend a timely seminar on the issues surrounding compostable products now in the marketplace. Compostable products include cups, plates, bowls, saucers, servingware, and bags. Key issues to be discussed will include: . What are the differences between compostable, biodegradable and disposable products? . What does it mean that a product meets the ASTM D6400 Standard? . Do these products really compost and under what conditions? . How do I decide what compostable products my company should procure? . Are there issues with Genetically-Modified Organisms (GMO) that I need to be aware of? . How do I develop a sustainable compostable products program? . What steps should North Carolina take to ensure that sustainable and compostable products are used in food service? The seminar will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Guilford County Cooperative Extension offices, 3309 Burlington Rd. Greensboro, NC 27405 (http://guilford.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=contact) Craig Coker | Coker Composting & Consulting 1213 Spradlin Rd., Vinton, VA 24179 Tel.: (540) 890-1086, Fax: (540) 890-1087 Cell: (540) 874-5168, Email: cscoker at verizon.net Web: www.cokercompost.com. This e-mail communication (including any attachments) may contain legally privileged and confidential information intended solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, you should immediately stop reading this message and delete it from your system. Any unauthorized reading, distribution, copying or other use of this communication (or its attachments) is strictly prohibited. From hirschsys at aol.com Tue Dec 30 16:21:33 2008 From: hirschsys at aol.com (hirschsys@aol.com) Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:21:33 -0500 Subject: [USCC] Landfill In-Reply-To: <26C2BEE3F5933642ABF5751ECA9CDE0001158EBF@EcyMXLcy02.ecy.wa.lcl> References: <26C2BEE3F5933642ABF5751ECA9CDE0001158EBF@EcyMXLcy02.ecy.wa.lcl> Message-ID: <8CB38E41B146D62-4A8-2BD@MBLK-M29.sysops.aol.com> For future discusions: As active landfills put in gas collection systems they sometimes claim to now be a recycling option because they capture?some of the methane.? This has actually caused the closing of some good composting operations due to yard trimmings being diverted back into landfills. Does someone have the?statistics on this subject?? Estimates of the carbon going into a landfill would be fairly?easy to calculate, the captured methane coming out is measureable.? An estimate of how long a landfill will continue to produce is? available so therefore an efficiency should?have been calculated.? I am sure it has , I just don't remember it. Could someone from the compost?group help me on this.??? Thank you Myron Hirschman? From maureen.reilly at sympatico.ca Wed Dec 31 09:14:47 2008 From: maureen.reilly at sympatico.ca (Maureen Reilly) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:14:47 -0500 Subject: [USCC] Landfill In-Reply-To: <8CB38E41B146D62-4A8-2BD@MBLK-M29.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: Which composting facilities have closed because clippings were allowed back into landfill? I am unaware of any instances of this. Can anyone cite an instance where this has happened? Maureen Reilly >From: hirschsys at aol.com >Reply-To: Compost Discussion List >To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com >Subject: [USCC] Landfill >Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:21:33 -0500 > > >For future discusions: > >As active landfills put in gas collection systems they sometimes claim to >now be a recycling option because they capture?some of the methane.? This >has actually caused the closing of some good composting operations due to >yard trimmings being diverted back into landfills. > >Does someone have the?statistics on this subject?? Estimates of the carbon >going into a landfill would be fairly?easy to calculate, the captured >methane coming out is measureable.? An estimate of how long a landfill will >continue to produce is? available so therefore an efficiency should?have >been calculated.? I am sure it has , I just don't remember it. > >Could someone from the compost?group help me on this.??? > >Thank you >Myron Hirschman? >_______________________________________ >Join us as the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show, >January 26-29, 2009 at the Westin Galleria, Houston, TX. The Largest >Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & >Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of 11 Training >Courses, 100+ Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & >"Live" Equipment Demonstrations from 20+ Manufacturers. >Conference Highlights & Program, 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org From hirschsys at aol.com Wed Dec 31 09:46:46 2008 From: hirschsys at aol.com (hirschsys@aol.com) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:46:46 -0500 Subject: [USCC] Landfill In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <8CB39761F38909D-11E8-40F@WEBMAIL-DZ08.sysops.aol.com> The publicly ran composting site in Sioux City Iowa.? The yard trimmings are going to a landfill in Nebraska.? It nearly happened in DesMoines a few years ago?but was stopped?with a veto of the legislation by the governor. Myron H -----Original Message----- From: Maureen Reilly To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com Sent: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 9:14 am Subject: Re: [USCC] Landfill Which composting facilities have closed because clippings were allowed back into landfill? I am unaware of any instances of this. Can anyone cite an instance where this has happened? Maureen Reilly >From: hirschsys at aol.com >Reply-To: Compost Discussion List >To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com >Subject: [USCC] Landfill >Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:21:33 -0500 > > >For future discusions: > >As active landfills put in gas collection systems they sometimes claim to >now be a recycling option because they capture?some of the methane.? This >has actually caused the closing of some good composting operations due to >yard trimmings being diverted back into landfills. > >Does someone have the?statistics on this subject?? Estimates of the carbon >going into a landfill would be fairly?easy to calculate, the captured >methane coming out is measureable.? An estimate of how long a landfill will >continue to produce is? available so therefore an efficiency should?have >been calculated.? I am sure it has , I just don't remember it. > >Could someone from the compost?group help me on this.??? > >Thank you >Myron Hirschman? >_______________________________________ >Join us as the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show, >January 26-29, 2009 at the Westin Galleria, Houston, TX. The Largest >Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & >Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of 11 Training >Courses, 100+ Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & >"Live" Equipment Demonstrations from 20+ Manufacturers. >Conference Highlights & Program, 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org _______________________________________ Join us as the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show, January 26-29, 2009 at the Westin Galleria, Houston, TX. The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of 11 Training Courses, 100+ Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations from 20+ Manufacturers. Conference Highlights & Program, 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org From kholcomb at anra.org Wed Dec 31 10:26:29 2008 From: kholcomb at anra.org (Holcomb, Kelley) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:26:29 -0600 (CST) Subject: [USCC] Landfill Message-ID: <20081231102629.BUI27107@mailstore01.consolidated.net> Here in Texas, statutes still allow wood waste to be disposed of in landfills. In some larger municipalities, the have ordinances that require recycling of the woodwaste, effectively blocking landfilling of that material. We have a biosolid compost facility and are always searching for woodwaste feedstocks. It is common practice for that material to be diverted as boiler fuel. Recently, there have been two electric generation facilities permitted and are currently under construction. These facilities have biomass fired boilers. Based on their consumption data, we estimate that they will consuming about 60 to 70 percent of the available woodwaste supply within a 100 mile radius. Our compost facility is located 62 miles from one and 57 miles from the other. Our only salvation is that the boiler fuel industry requires a significantly higher quality material than a typical compost facility. We are working diligently with our participants via Interlocal Agreements for their material generated through their curbside recycling programs. The only problem is the amount of trash contained in that material. They have been unwilling to take measures to clean up the material because of cost. Running out of woodwaste may be the catalyst for change in their collective thinking. Kelley Holcomb From editinfo at jgpress.com Wed Dec 31 10:09:14 2008 From: editinfo at jgpress.com (Rhodes Yepsen) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:09:14 -0500 Subject: [USCC] Landfill In-Reply-To: <8CB39761F38909D-11E8-40F@WEBMAIL-DZ08.sysops.aol.com> References: <8CB39761F38909D-11E8-40F@WEBMAIL-DZ08.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: Myron, Maureen, This issue is covered in a recent article in Environmental Science & Technology magazine: Is Converting Landfill Gas to Energy the Best Option? by Janet Pelley. Click on Full Text: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es803266t It attempts to show a balanced view of the situation, and includes links to other resources for data (like Jeffery Morris's Env. Benefits Calculator, which shows the life cycle costs of different methods of disposal, with composting being the best option). Rhodes Rhodes Yepsen, Associate Editor BioCycle magazine Advancing Composting, Organics Recycling & Renewable Energy (610) 967-4135, ext. 27 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP BioCycle International Conference April 27-30, 2009, San Diego www.BioCycle50.com Put your compost facility on the map, it's free! FindaComposter.com On Dec 31, 2008, at 10:46 AM, hirschsys at aol.com wrote: > The publicly ran composting site in Sioux City Iowa.? The yard > trimmings are going to a landfill in Nebraska.? > It nearly happened in DesMoines a few years ago?but was stopped? > with a veto of the legislation by the governor. > Myron H > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Maureen Reilly > To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com > Sent: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 9:14 am > Subject: Re: [USCC] Landfill > > > > > > Which composting facilities have closed because clippings were > allowed back > into landfill? > I am unaware of any instances of this. Can anyone cite an instance > where > this has happened? > > Maureen Reilly > > >> From: hirschsys at aol.com >> Reply-To: Compost Discussion List >> To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com >> Subject: [USCC] Landfill >> Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:21:33 -0500 >> >> >> For future discusions: >> >> As active landfills put in gas collection systems they sometimes >> claim to >> now be a recycling option because they capture?some of the >> methane.? This >> has actually caused the closing of some good composting operations >> due to >> yard trimmings being diverted back into landfills. >> >> Does someone have the?statistics on this subject?? Estimates of >> the carbon >> going into a landfill would be fairly?easy to calculate, the captured >> methane coming out is measureable.? An estimate of how long a >> landfill will >> continue to produce is? available so therefore an efficiency >> should?have >> been calculated.? I am sure it has , I just don't remember it. >> >> Could someone from the compost?group help me on this.??? >> >> Thank you >> Myron Hirschman? >> _______________________________________ >> Join us as the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & >> Trade Show, >> January 26-29, 2009 at the Westin Galleria, Houston, TX. The Largest >> Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood >> Waste, & >> Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of 11 >> Training >> Courses, 100+ Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility >> Tours & >> "Live" Equipment Demonstrations from 20+ Manufacturers. >> Conference Highlights & Program, 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 >> compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org > > > _______________________________________ > Join us as the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & > Trade Show, > January 26-29, 2009 at the Westin Galleria, Houston, TX. The > Largest Conference > & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & > Organics > Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of 11 Training > Courses, 100+ > Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" > Equipment > Demonstrations from 20+ Manufacturers. > Conference Highlights & Program, 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 > compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org > > _______________________________________ > Join us as the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & > Trade Show, January 26-29, 2009 at the Westin Galleria, Houston, > TX. The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the > Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most > Comprehensive Program of 11 Training Courses, 100+ Educational & > Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment > Demonstrations from 20+ Manufacturers. > Conference Highlights & Program, 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 > compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org > From wcarter at tceq.state.tx.us Wed Dec 31 11:27:00 2008 From: wcarter at tceq.state.tx.us (William (Bill) Carter) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:27:00 -0600 Subject: [USCC] Free Web Seminar: Using Compost as a Stormwater Best Management Practice Message-ID: <495B57040200004400012154@Email8.tceq.state.tx.us> The webinar will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8 at the following time: Topic: Compost Based Stormwater Best Management Practices Time: 10:00 am, Central Standard Time US EPA Region 5 invites you to participate in a webinar on the innovative aspects of using compost as a stormwater best management practice (BMP) on Jan. 8. This webinar is focused on how stormwater managers can use compost blankets, berms, and filters as a tool to reduce stormwater runoff and improve soil quality To participate in this webinar, you must register on-line at: https://srameeting.webex.com/srameeting/j.php?ED=95494307&RG=1&UID=0 Once your request is approved, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the meeting. Speakers include the following: Amy J. Sausen, Environmental Project Coordinator, The Bruce Company of Wisconsin Dwayne Stenlund, Office of Environmental Services, Turf and Erosion Control Engineering Unit, Minnesota Department of Transportation Bill Carter Water Quality Monitoring & Assessment MC 165 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality P.O. Box 13087 Austin, TX 78711-3087 Phone: 512-239-6771 Fax: 512-239-4410 wcarter at tceq.state.tx.us From matt at mattcotton.com Wed Dec 31 11:32:50 2008 From: matt at mattcotton.com (Matthew Cotton) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:32:50 -0800 Subject: [USCC] Landfill In-Reply-To: <8CB38E41B146D62-4A8-2BD@MBLK-M29.sysops.aol.com> References: <26C2BEE3F5933642ABF5751ECA9CDE0001158EBF@EcyMXLcy02.ecy.wa.lcl> <8CB38E41B146D62-4A8-2BD@MBLK-M29.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: <39F9CDDD-558C-47AF-BF29-F9F6C5E0DCE4@mattcotton.com> Myron - Thanks for kicking off a great topic for (almost) 2009. The issue of "feedstock competition" is an important one. As you know, almost half of the states ban some form of yard trimmings from landfills. A few states are now considering similar bans on food scraps. As we all learn more about greenhouse gas and climate change, there is likely going to be an increase in the connection between putting organic materials in landfills and the methane that is created. Yes, some landfills have very sophisticated "landfill gas" collection systems. These systems can measure the amount of gas captured, but they don't measure the gas they don't capture. There are theoretical models which can both over and under estimate the amount of landfill gas that might be generated. As you can imagine, all sorts of variables contribute to this - waste composition, compaction and covering methods, climate, age of the landfill, and perhaps the most important one - when the gas system is installed and operating - many of these systems are not activated for up to 5 years after waste is placed, thus that food waste from your Holiday dinner may be covered and compacted and generating methane well before the gas collection system is turned on. Sally Brown has made some initial conceptual estimates of this using the gas production numbers from anaerobic digestion studies, so that is a place to start if you want to generate some numbers. This is important for a few reasons - first we need to know a lot more about how organics behave in landfills and appreciate that every landfill is different. But perhaps more importantly if there are to ever be carbon credits for composting, we need to be able to accurately calculate the avoided methane emissions from not landfilling organics (not to mention the benefits of applying compost - something else Dr. Brown is working on). The USCC's Legislative and Environmental Affairs Committee is actively engaged in these issues. There are two Fact Sheets on the USCC Website which provide some good background. http://www.compostingcouncil.org/education/resources.php We are likely to see more efforts to overturn landfill bans in those states that have them and more efforts to get more organics back to landfills in those states that don't; most of this will be about alleged increases in landfill gas recovery. In addition to the problems listed above, the amount of electricity received from increasing organics in landfills is often grossly overstated. J.D. Lindeberg (Chair of the USCC's L&EA Committee) wrote an excellent critique of this in an effort to thwart efforts to overturn Michigan's landfill ban on organics. This should also be on the USCC website. The policy basis behind most of the state landfill bans on organics is as sound today as it was in the early 1990s - organics take up a lot of space in landfills. While a few people who should know better still labor under the misunderstanding that organics breakdown in landfills, we learn over and over again that this is overstated. A recent study by a landfill engineering company here in CA estimated that a particular county was spending $11 - $12 million a year in lost landfill space by using processed yard trimmings as landfill cover (A bizarre practice, which in CA is equivalent to "recycling"). This was processed yard trimmings, with airspace savings calculated after compaction (so, fairly conservative). All of this was based on a relatively low tipping fee of $22/ton. Given the current economic situation, I don't think any City or County can afford to be that wasteful. Here's to a Happy New Year filled with composting opportunities! See you in Houston. Matthew Cotton Integrated Waste Management Consulting, LLC 19375 Lake City Road Nevada City, CA 95959 (530) 265-4560 Fax (530) 265-4547 matt at mattcotton.com www.mattcotton.com On Dec 30, 2008, at 2:21 PM, hirschsys at aol.com wrote: > > For future discusions: > > As active landfills put in gas collection systems they sometimes > claim to now be a recycling option because they capture?some of the > methane.? This has actually caused the closing of some good > composting operations due to yard trimmings being diverted back > into landfills. > > Does someone have the?statistics on this subject?? Estimates of the > carbon going into a landfill would be fairly?easy to calculate, the > captured methane coming out is measureable.? An estimate of how > long a landfill will continue to produce is? available so therefore > an efficiency should?have been calculated.? I am sure it has , I > just don't remember it. > > Could someone from the compost?group help me on this.??? > > Thank you > Myron Hirschman? > _______________________________________ > Join us as the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & > Trade Show, January 26-29, 2009 at the Westin Galleria, Houston, > TX. The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the > Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most > Comprehensive Program of 11 Training Courses, 100+ Educational & > Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment > Demonstrations from 20+ Manufacturers. > Conference Highlights & Program, 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 > compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org From edo_mcgowan at hotmail.com Wed Dec 31 11:44:12 2008 From: edo_mcgowan at hotmail.com (Edo McGowan) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:44:12 +0000 Subject: [USCC] Landfill In-Reply-To: <20081231102629.BUI27107@mailstore01.consolidated.net> References: <20081231102629.BUI27107@mailstore01.consolidated.net> Message-ID: Kelly and all, here are some thoughts on this discussion thread. It is not just the shortage of wood and other bulking carbon sources that may be impacting your industry. There are extant sewer plant processes that convert solids to fuel and thus as this catches on, there also may be less sewage sludge going to composting. The sewer plant that serves St Paul did a fairly sophisticated economic analysis on the comparative cost of land spreading of sewage sludge vs using sludge as a fuel at the plant (it's been a while since I looked at that plant and discussed its economic analysis with their engineering staff and thus I'm not clear as to whether they also included the costs and benefits of composting). Their analysis, however, lead them to install three very expensive Von Roll fluid beds and drop land application. The savings, as shown by that economic analysis, were impressive---part of the analysis also considered the legal risks associated with the land application of sewage sludge which this change allowed the district to avoid. These legal risks associated with the land application of sewage sludge were one of the critical factors in their overall analysis. Of the other reasons that may see the shift to using sludge as a fuel, beside the carbon credits, are the allowed reconfiguration of sewer plants and impacts on the reduction of emerging contaminants of concern (ECCs) that now are released by sewer plants via sewage sludge or effluent. If the solids are removed and converted to fuel before the sludge hits the digesters, the plant size can be drastically reduced and with it also the accompanying energy and other costs associated with current plant operation. This up-front solids removal has several advantages. First, since bacterial action within the digesters converts solids into solutions, many of these solid materials, which are now converted into solution and thus can not be controlled by the plant, go out with the discharged effluent. If, however, the solids do not go to the digesters but become converted to fuel, this problem, in large part, is obviated. The effluent leaving the plant is also much cleaner and the Clean Water Act (CWA) likes that. There is now going to be a much increased review of the CWA and the impact of ECCs on the nation's water resources. With the up-front removal of solids, this then includes the contained ECCs, pathogens and other detractors (which are not not being controlled by current sewer plant designs), there is thus little need for digesters, their ordor problems and the large equipment and energy needed to move fluids, control solids, and other processes found at most sewer plants. Thus the overall footprint of the plant and hence its staff can be cut by as much as 80%. This is critical for the expansion of many once rurally located sewer plants now that now find themselves tightly surrounded by expensive real estate. The area of Montecito in California is one such example. Its plant is hemmed in by some very expensive real estate and has no place to grow as a conventional plant, yet the number of hook-ups continues. Storing and moving sludge thus becomes an increasing liability, especially as fuel and energy costs continue to increase. Consequently, municipal governments and sewer districts are rethinking how sewer plants operate and the ultimate impact on the bottom line. That will have a direct impact on the compost industry's source of raw stock. The solution to their problem will be to convert to these newer plant designs and thus continue to serve their rate-payers, but with reduced overall costs. Dr Edo McGowan > From: kholcomb at anra.org > To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com > Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:26:29 -0600 > Subject: Re: [USCC] Landfill > > Here in Texas, statutes still allow wood waste to be > disposed of in landfills. In some larger municipalities, the > have ordinances that require recycling of the woodwaste, > effectively blocking landfilling of that material. We have a > biosolid compost facility and are always searching for > woodwaste feedstocks. It is common practice for that > material to be diverted as boiler fuel. > > Recently, there have been two electric generation facilities > permitted and are currently under construction. These > facilities have biomass fired boilers. Based on their > consumption data, we estimate that they will consuming about > 60 to 70 percent of the available woodwaste supply within a > 100 mile radius. Our compost facility is located 62 miles > from one and 57 miles from the other. > > Our only salvation is that the boiler fuel industry requires > a significantly higher quality material than a typical > compost facility. We are working diligently with our > participants via Interlocal Agreements for their material > generated through their curbside recycling programs. The > only problem is the amount of trash contained in that > material. They have been unwilling to take measures to clean > up the material because of cost. Running out of woodwaste > may be the catalyst for change in their collective thinking. > > Kelley Holcomb > _______________________________________ > Join us as the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show, January 26-29, 2009 at the Westin Galleria, Houston, TX. The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of 11 Training Courses, 100+ Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations from 20+ Manufacturers. > Conference Highlights & Program, 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org _________________________________________________________________ Show them the way! Add maps and directions to your party invites. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowslive/events.aspx From tnthomas at terre-source.com Wed Dec 31 13:32:51 2008 From: tnthomas at terre-source.com (Tamara Thomas) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:32:51 -0800 Subject: [USCC] Landfill In-Reply-To: <8CB38E41B146D62-4A8-2BD@MBLK-M29.sysops.aol.com> References: <26C2BEE3F5933642ABF5751ECA9CDE0001158EBF@EcyMXLcy02.ecy.wa.lcl> <8CB38E41B146D62-4A8-2BD@MBLK-M29.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: Myron, I heard Dr. Sally Brown of the University of Washington speak to the landfill gas collection issue a year or so ago. As I recall, the problem with claiming that landfill gas collection is a carbon neutral or positive technology has to do with the fact that the greatest percentage of methane is generated within the first year or two. Generally a landfill is not covered immediately, and it takes some time to fill, cover, and implement the landfill gas system. During that initial time, according to Dr. Brown, most of the methane has been generated and lost. An abstract of "Is Converting Landfill Gas to Energy the Best Option?" by Janet Pelley, in Environ. Sci. Technol., quotes her as saying "...[methane] capture rates over a landfill?s lifetime can be as low as 40?50%...". I recommend contacting her and/or researching her publications on the issue. Best wishes, Tamara Thomas, P.E. Terre-SourceLLC Helping Compost Happen! 360-336-3536 Office 360-336-3530 FAX 425-844-6068 Field -----Original Message----- From: hirschsys at aol.com [mailto:hirschsys at aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 2:22 PM To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com Subject: [USCC] Landfill For future discusions: As active landfills put in gas collection systems they sometimes claim to now be a recycling option because they capture?some of the methane.? This has actually caused the closing of some good composting operations due to yard trimmings being diverted back into landfills. Does someone have the?statistics on this subject?? Estimates of the carbon going into a landfill would be fairly?easy to calculate, the captured methane coming out is measureable.? An estimate of how long a landfill will continue to produce is? available so therefore an efficiency should?have been calculated.? I am sure it has , I just don't remember it. Could someone from the compost?group help me on this.??? Thank you Myron Hirschman? From d.pascoe at sympatico.ca Wed Dec 31 17:13:13 2008 From: d.pascoe at sympatico.ca (Donna Pascoe) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:13:13 +0000 Subject: [USCC] Landfill Message-ID: Hello Myron, There are digesters on the market and operational in Europe that semi-digest the waste material, remove the methane and put the semi-digested material out for final digestion into stable compost. The drawback of these units is their cost of around $ 20,000,000. and the undying dream of cheap places to hide waste. My concern of adding anything to landfill is not a slight reduction in available material for composting but the increase in the volume of toxic leachates that run everyday, for who knows how long, from every landfill. Although our company has been very sucessful in treating this leachate it is an expensive and complex arrangement. As many of us embraced composting as part of a wholelistic solution to no more landfills in the future, I think a few pennies of poor quality dirty methane will soon run its coarse in the history of dumb ideas. Regards Peter Turrell Director Millennium Institution >From: hirschsys at aol.com >Reply-To: Compost Discussion List >To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com >Subject: [USCC] Landfill >Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:21:33 -0500 > > >For future discusions: > >As active landfills put in gas collection systems they sometimes claim to >now be a recycling option because they capture?some of the methane.? This >has actually caused the closing of some good composting operations due to >yard trimmings being diverted back into landfills. > >Does someone have the?statistics on this subject?? Estimates of the carbon >going into a landfill would be fairly?easy to calculate, the captured >methane coming out is measureable.? An estimate of how long a landfill will >continue to produce is? available so therefore an efficiency should?have >been calculated.? I am sure it has , I just don't remember it. > >Could someone from the compost?group help me on this.??? > >Thank you >Myron Hirschman? >_______________________________________ >Join us as the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show, >January 26-29, 2009 at the Westin Galleria, Houston, TX. The Largest >Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & >Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of 11 Training >Courses, 100+ Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & >"Live" Equipment Demonstrations from 20+ Manufacturers. >Conference Highlights & Program, 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org From edo_mcgowan at hotmail.com Wed Dec 31 18:49:59 2008 From: edo_mcgowan at hotmail.com (Edo McGowan) Date: Thu, 1 Jan 2009 00:49:59 +0000 Subject: [USCC] Free Web Seminar: Using Compost as a Stormwater Best Management Practice In-Reply-To: <495B57040200004400012154@Email8.tceq.state.tx.us> References: <495B57040200004400012154@Email8.tceq.state.tx.us> Message-ID: One of the problems that may be encountered is the release of antibiotic resistant pathogens through this, especially if sewage sludge had been used as a feed stock. This also may accrue to kitchen scraps as most of the chicken delivered to large kitchens as well as some of the other meat animal scraps do contain impressive numbers of antibiotic resistant pathogens. These scraps go into a bucket, are kept at temperatures that encourage growth, so numbers can be impressive. There are enough peer reviewed papers in the literature base discussing the failure of certain composting processes to effectively eliminate pathogens or their genetic material to warrant further review. This would be a good review topic to send to the Cornell group for comment. I suspect that there may be problems based on my research and this should be verified to get some better answers. Dr Edo McGowan > Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:27:00 -0600 > From: wcarter at tceq.state.tx.us > To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com > Subject: [USCC] Free Web Seminar: Using Compost as a Stormwater Best Management Practice > > The webinar will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8 at the following time: > Topic: Compost Based Stormwater Best Management Practices > Time: 10:00 am, Central Standard Time > > US EPA Region 5 invites you to participate in a webinar on the innovative aspects of using compost as a stormwater best management practice (BMP) on Jan. 8. This webinar is focused on how stormwater managers can use compost blankets, berms, and filters as a tool to reduce stormwater runoff and improve soil quality > > To participate in this webinar, you must register on-line at: https://srameeting.webex.com/srameeting/j.php?ED=95494307&RG=1&UID=0 > > Once your request is approved, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the meeting. > > Speakers include the following: > Amy J. Sausen, Environmental Project Coordinator, The Bruce Company of Wisconsin > Dwayne Stenlund, Office of Environmental Services, Turf and Erosion Control Engineering Unit, Minnesota Department of Transportation > > > > > > Bill Carter > Water Quality Monitoring & Assessment MC 165 > Texas Commission on Environmental Quality > P.O. Box 13087 > Austin, TX 78711-3087 > Phone: 512-239-6771 > Fax: 512-239-4410 > wcarter at tceq.state.tx.us > _______________________________________ > Join us as the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show, January 26-29, 2009 at the Westin Galleria, Houston, TX. The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of 11 Training Courses, 100+ Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations from 20+ Manufacturers. > Conference Highlights & Program, 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org _________________________________________________________________ From David.Goldstein at ventura.org Wed Dec 31 18:54:50 2008 From: David.Goldstein at ventura.org (David Goldstein) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:54:50 -0800 Subject: [USCC] Landfill In-Reply-To: References: <8CB39761F38909D-11E8-40F@WEBMAIL-DZ08.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: <495BA3DB.BDA4.0045.0@ventura.org> Matt, I'm not defending the use of organics as alternative daily cover at landfills, but just to keep things clear, we should cover the counterpoints to some items discussed below. 1. Since many landfills close due to time (permit expiration and community opposition to renewal), rather than due to tonnage or volume, we can't always say it is a waste of space to use yard clippings as alternative daily cover. 2. Some in the landfill industry claim they are doing a better job of addressing climate change than the compost industry does. They may have a point when it comes to sequestering carbon from very woody waste, and some curbside yardwaste collection routes can be inefficient, but you have a good point (below) about five years of un-captured methane emissions from more nitrogen rich loads. 3. In some cases, prohibiting yard waste as alternative daily cover could result in importing dirt from off-site, which can cause more emissions. Happy new year, David Goldstein Recycling Market Development Zone >>> "Matthew Cotton" 12/31/2008 9:32 AM >>> Myron - Thanks for kicking off a great topic for (almost) 2009. The issue of "feedstock competition" is an important one. As you know, almost half of the states ban some form of yard trimmings from landfills. A few states are now considering similar bans on food scraps. As we all learn more about greenhouse gas and climate change, there is likely going to be an increase in the connection between putting organic materials in landfills and the methane that is created. Yes, some landfills have very sophisticated "landfill gas" collection systems. These systems can measure the amount of gas captured, but they don't measure the gas they don't capture. There are theoretical models which can both over and under estimate the amount of landfill gas that might be generated. As you can imagine, all sorts of variables contribute to this - waste composition, compaction and covering methods, climate, age of the landfill, and perhaps the most important one - when the gas system is installed and operating - many of these systems are not activated for up to 5 years after waste is placed, thus that food waste from your Holiday dinner may be covered and compacted and generating methane well before the gas collection system is turned on. Sally Brown has made some initial conceptual estimates of this using the gas production numbers from anaerobic digestion studies, so that is a place to start if you want to generate some numbers. This is important for a few reasons - first we need to know a lot more about how organics behave in landfills and appreciate that every landfill is different. But perhaps more importantly if there are to ever be carbon credits for composting, we need to be able to accurately calculate the avoided methane emissions from not landfilling organics (not to mention the benefits of applying compost - something else Dr. Brown is working on). The USCC's Legislative and Environmental Affairs Committee is actively engaged in these issues. There are two Fact Sheets on the USCC Website which provide some good background. http://www.compostingcouncil.org/education/resources.php We are likely to see more efforts to overturn landfill bans in those states that have them and more efforts to get more organics back to landfills in those states that don't; most of this will be about alleged increases in landfill gas recovery. In addition to the problems listed above, the amount of electricity received from increasing organics in landfills is often grossly overstated. J.D. Lindeberg (Chair of the USCC's L&EA Committee) wrote an excellent critique of this in an effort to thwart efforts to overturn Michigan's landfill ban on organics. This should also be on the USCC website. The policy basis behind most of the state landfill bans on organics is as sound today as it was in the early 1990s - organics take up a lot of space in landfills. While a few people who should know better still labor under the misunderstanding that organics breakdown in landfills, we learn over and over again that this is overstated. A recent study by a landfill engineering company here in CA estimated that a particular county was spending $11 - $12 million a year in lost landfill space by using processed yard trimmings as landfill cover (A bizarre practice, which in CA is equivalent to "recycling"). This was processed yard trimmings, with airspace savings calculated after compaction (so, fairly conservative). All of this was based on a relatively low tipping fee of $22/ton. Given the current economic situation, I don't think any City or County can afford to be that wasteful. Here's to a Happy New Year filled with composting opportunities! See you in Houston. Matthew Cotton Integrated Waste Management Consulting, LLC 19375 Lake City Road Nevada City, CA 95959 (530) 265-4560 Fax (530) 265-4547 matt at mattcotton.com www.mattcotton.com On Dec 30, 2008, at 2:21 PM, hirschsys at aol.com wrote: > > For future discusions: > > As active landfills put in gas collection systems they sometimes > claim to now be a recycling option because they capture?some of the > methane.? This has actually caused the closing of some good > composting operations due to yard trimmings being diverted back > into landfills. > > Does someone have the?statistics on this subject?? Estimates of the > carbon going into a landfill would be fairly?easy to calculate, the > captured methane coming out is measureable.? An estimate of how > long a landfill will continue to produce is? available so therefore > an efficiency should?have been calculated.? I am sure it has , I > just don't remember it. > > Could someone from the compost?group help me on this.??? > > Thank you > Myron Hirschman? Matt, I'm not defending the use of organics as alternative daily cover at landfills, but just to keep things clear, we should understand the counterpoints to some items discussed below. 1. Since many of our landfills close due to time (permit expiration and community opposition to renewal), rather than due to tonnage or volume, we can't always say it is a waste of space to use yard clippings as alternative daily cover. 2. Some in the landfill industry claim they are doing a better job of addressing climate change than the compost industry does. They may have a point when it comes to sequestering carbon from very woody waste, and some curbside yardwaste collection routes can be inefficient, but you have a good point (below) about five years of un-captured methane emissions from more nitrogen rich loads. 3. In some cases, prohibiting yard waste as alternative daily cover could result in importing dirt from off-site, which can cause more emissions. D.G. >>> "Matthew Cotton" 12/31/2008 9:32 AM >>> Myron - Thanks for kicking off a great topic for (almost) 2009. The issue of "feedstock competition" is an important one. As you know, almost half of the states ban some form of yard trimmings from landfills. A few states are now considering similar bans on food scraps. As we all learn more about greenhouse gas and climate change, there is likely going to be an increase in the connection between putting organic materials in landfills and the methane that is created. Yes, some landfills have very sophisticated "landfill gas" collection systems. These systems can measure the amount of gas captured, but they don't measure the gas they don't capture. There are theoretical models which can both over and under estimate the amount of landfill gas that might be generated. As you can imagine, all sorts of variables contribute to this - waste composition, compaction and covering methods, climate, age of the landfill, and perhaps the most important one - when the gas system is installed and operating - many of these systems are not activated for up to 5 years after waste is placed, thus that food waste from your Holiday dinner may be covered and compacted and generating methane well before the gas collection system is turned on. Sally Brown has made some initial conceptual estimates of this using the gas production numbers from anaerobic digestion studies, so that is a place to start if you want to generate some numbers. This is important for a few reasons - first we need to know a lot more about how organics behave in landfills and appreciate that every landfill is different. But perhaps more importantly if there are to ever be carbon credits for composting, we need to be able to accurately calculate the avoided methane emissions from not landfilling organics (not to mention the benefits of applying compost - something else Dr. Brown is working on). The USCC's Legislative and Environmental Affairs Committee is actively engaged in these issues. There are two Fact Sheets on the USCC Website which provide some good background. http://www.compostingcouncil.org/education/resources.php We are likely to see more efforts to overturn landfill bans in those states that have them and more efforts to get more organics back to landfills in those states that don't; most of this will be about alleged increases in landfill gas recovery. In addition to the problems listed above, the amount of electricity received from increasing organics in landfills is often grossly overstated. J.D. Lindeberg (Chair of the USCC's L&EA Committee) wrote an excellent critique of this in an effort to thwart efforts to overturn Michigan's landfill ban on organics. This should also be on the USCC website. The policy basis behind most of the state landfill bans on organics is as sound today as it was in the early 1990s - organics take up a lot of space in landfills. While a few people who should know better still labor under the misunderstanding that organics breakdown in landfills, we learn over and over again that this is overstated. A recent study by a landfill engineering company here in CA estimated that a particular county was spending $11 - $12 million a year in lost landfill space by using processed yard trimmings as landfill cover (A bizarre practice, which in CA is equivalent to "recycling"). This was processed yard trimmings, with airspace savings calculated after compaction (so, fairly conservative). All of this was based on a relatively low tipping fee of $22/ton. Given the current economic situation, I don't think any City or County can afford to be that wasteful. Here's to a Happy New Year filled with composting opportunities! See you in Houston. Matthew Cotton Integrated Waste Management Consulting, LLC 19375 Lake City Road Nevada City, CA 95959 (530) 265-4560 Fax (530) 265-4547 matt at mattcotton.com www.mattcotton.com On Dec 30, 2008, at 2:21 PM, hirschsys at aol.com wrote: > > For future discusions: > > As active landfills put in gas collection systems they sometimes > claim to now be a recycling option because they capture?some of the > methane.? This has actually caused the closing of some good > composting operations due to yard trimmings being diverted back > into landfills. > > Does someone have the?statistics on this subject?? Estimates of the > carbon going into a landfill would be fairly?easy to calculate, the > captured methane coming out is measureable.? An estimate of how > long a landfill will continue to produce is? available so therefore > an efficiency should?have been calculated.? I am sure it has , I > just don't remember it. > > Could someone from the compost?group help me on this.??? > > Thank you > Myron Hirschman?