[USCC] Food Waste Compost Parameters

[James Reale-Levis]

Greetings All,

I am a graduate student at NC State, and I'm doing a life-cycle
inventory of source separated food waste. I've asked a sent a few
questions to this listserv in the past and I've always received great
responses. Thanks to everyone has responded in the past.

I'm am currently looking for a few basic parameters regarding food
waste composts.

Firstly, I am trying to determine what typical mixtures are. I've been
told numbers between 25-50% food waste by volume with about 20-30%
being recycled screen rejects, and the rest is shredded yard waste,
sawdust, or wood chips. Are these numbers fairly typical? I would
appreciate knowing any mix proportions that are used, if they agree or
disagree with these numbers.

Secondly, I would like to know if anyone has values for the bulk
weight of food waste composts at different stages (pre-active
composting, pre-screening, post-screening, post-curing, screen
rejects, etc.).

Lastly, I would like to know retention times for various types of
plants. I have a few numbers, but I need to ensure that the life-cycle
inventory is representative of what is typically done in the field.

If you have good information on any of these values I would like to
hear from you. If you work with food waste compost, I would really
appreciate having a conversation with you about your process.

Thanks so much.

Jim

- - - - -
James W. Reale-Levis
jwlevis at ncsu.edu