From edo_mcgowan at hotmail.com Mon Jun 2 10:56:14 2008 From: edo_mcgowan at hotmail.com (Edo McGowan) Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 15:56:14 +0000 Subject: [USCC] Biosolids In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Now this makes a lot of sense from several perspectives, not only the fuel issue, but by removing the solids ahead of digestion and burning them, not only are the pathogens and their genetic fragments destroyed, so are many of the emerging contaminants of concern. In addition, many of the solids that would go into solution because of bacterial digestion further within the treatment train are destroyed by pulling off the solids frst; the inability of current PTOWs to control solutions is well documented. Pulling out the solids ahead of digestion would reduce the pollutants going out with the effluent or recycled water. This thus reduces impacts on the environment. By sequestering the solids prior to digestion and burning them, this whole scenario of the inability to control solutions is greatly reduced and importantly the plant would need considerably less in the way of digestion systems. These results mean smaller less complicated plants, less staff and for plants now hemmed in by expensive real estate, thus a chance to expand production without needing more land. Dr Edo McGowan > From: CAVM at aol.com > Date: Fri, 30 May 2008 19:54:06 -0400 > To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com > Subject: Re: [USCC] Biosolids > > In view of the controversy and potential liability involving biosolids we > have cut back on the projects we are willing to become involved in with them. > We are investigating high intensity anaerobic digestion to extract energy from > biosolids as part of the waste water treatment process. > > But more interesting is the potential to short stop the wastewater treatment > process and pull the biosolids from the liquid as soon as possible without re > gard to pathogen control or volume reduction. The solids can be dried by > surplus heat from a process which uses the biosolids as combustion fuel. No > pathogens would be likely to survive 2500F combustion. Odor control, reduced > processing costs, disposal reduction and energy production are all worthwhile > byproducts. > > Regards, > > Neal Van Milligen > cavm at aol.com > > > > **************Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch "Cooking with > Tyler Florence" on AOL Food. > (http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4&?NCID=aolfod00030000000002) > _______________________________________ > Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show > January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX. > 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org _________________________________________________________________ If you like crossword puzzles, then you'll love Flexicon, a game which combines four overlapping crossword puzzles into one! http://g.msn.ca/ca55/208 From hshields at worldpath.net Mon Jun 2 14:31:18 2008 From: hshields at worldpath.net (Helane Shields) Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 15:31:18 -0400 Subject: [USCC] Biosolids Message-ID: <007301c8c4e7$3b4eab40$0200000a@helanesys> The US Environmental Protection Agency's Toxics Release Inventory makes clear that billions of pounds of toxic industrial pollutants are discharged to sewage treatment plants every year, where the wastewater treatment process reconcentrates the chemicals in the sewage sludge "biosolids". To protect against any further loss of US jobs to countries with weak labor and environmental laws, the US government is no longer strictly enforcing industrial pretreatment programs. US companies are allowed to dump in the sewers, rather than being required to spend large sums of money for hazardous waste recycling or disposal programs for their toxic chemicals. Therefore, I congratulate Neal Van Milligen for recognizing that the controversy and potential liability of land application of sludge/biosolids can be mitigated by using this renewable resource to create energy. Europe is way ahead of the US in utilizing sludge to cleanly and efficiently produce biogas, heat and electricity. Helane Shields, Alton, NH **************************************************************************** In view of the controversy and potential liability involving biosolids we have cut back on the projects we are willing to become involved in with them. We are investigating high intensity anaerobic digestion to extract energy from biosolids as part of the waste water treatment process. But more interesting is the potential to short stop the wastewater treatment process and pull the biosolids from the liquid as soon as possible without re gard to pathogen control or volume reduction. The solids can be dried by surplus heat from a process which uses the biosolids as combustion fuel. No pathogens would be likely to survive 2500F combustion. Odor control, reduced processing costs, disposal reduction and energy production are all worthwhile byproducts. Regards, Neal Van Milligen cavm at aol.com From frank at compostlab.com Thu Jun 5 13:47:14 2008 From: frank at compostlab.com (frank) Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:47:14 -0700 Subject: [USCC] Household energy savings In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <484834B2.3070503@compostlab.com> Composters and those interested in saving energy, Thought if there were any teachers our there that could use a short video to teach recycling and household energy savings in their school might be interested in this short. Kate Kurtz, who many of you know for testing your compost for the past few years at this lab, and her group put it together. Kate is the 'Bad' student. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzJY2qV4f3k Frank -- Frank Shields Soil Control Lab 42 Hangar way Watsonville, CA 95076 (831) 724-5422 tel (831) 724-3188 fax frank at compostlab.com www.compostlab.com From bplatt at ilsr.org Thu Jun 5 14:27:46 2008 From: bplatt at ilsr.org (Brenda Platt) Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 15:27:46 -0400 Subject: [USCC] Stop Trashing the Climate report released today Message-ID: <55887b8b0806051227n3949865eu5fdfe2bbcf01e4f1@mail.gmail.com> Hi all, The Institute for Local Self-Reliance's joint report with Eco-Cycle and the Global Anti-Incinerator Alliance (GAIA) is being released today on United Nations World Environment Day. The report, Stop Trashing the Climate, provides evidence that preventing waste and expanding reuse, recycling, and composting programs -- that is, aiming for zero waste -- is one of the fastest, cheapest, and most effective strategies available for combating climate change. The report documents the link between climate change and unsustainable patterns of consumption and wasting, dispels myths about the climate change benefits of landfill gas recovery and waste incineration, and offers a roadmap for change. The 20-page Executive Summary is available on the web along with our press release and a one-page summary of our findings. The full 92-page report will be posted soon. We come out strong in favor of composting as a core climate protection strategy that will also help restore our soils. Check it out: http://www.stoptrashingtheclimate.org/ Best, Brenda -- Brenda Platt Institute for Local Self-Reliance 927 15th Street, NW, 4th Fl Washington, DC 20005 202-898-1610 ext. 230 www.ilsr.org From alexassoc at earthlink.net Thu Jun 12 07:28:05 2008 From: alexassoc at earthlink.net (alexassoc@earthlink.net) Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:28:05 -0400 Subject: [USCC] Sulfur Message-ID: <001e01c8cc87$c44cfc10$4ce6f430$@net> Hello Compost World, Has anybody out there had any 'real' success adding sulfur to compost to reduce its pH? Thanks, 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 bmathews at stopwaste.org Thu Jun 12 12:03:18 2008 From: bmathews at stopwaste.org (Brian Mathews) Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:03:18 -0700 Subject: [USCC] green waste-food waste co-collection Message-ID: <04F5C5938BDE02449FB64A3FB9674CCA084B5F@waste.acwma> Dan, We have information you are looking for. Our participation across 300,000 single households is 35% on a weekly basis. A couple of jurisdictions have participation in the area of 67% weekly. The quantity of food diverted ranges between 10-14 lbs/week. Call me if you have questions. Brian Mathews Senior Program Manager ______________________________________ Please note new address and phone as of March 19, 2007: StopWaste.Org 1537 Webster Street Oakland, CA 94612 (510) 891-6500 (510) 893-2308 fax ----------------------- bmathews at stopwaste.org www.StopWaste.Org -----Original Message----- From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Dan De Grassi Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 12:38 PM To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com Subject: [USCC] green waste-food waste co-collection I'm interested in finding numbers for household participation rates for residential curbside co-collection of green waste and food waste (e.g., % of total households participating, frequency of participation, % of food waste diverted per household, etc). Specific experiences and study references are both welcomed. _______________________________________ Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX. 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org From kholcomb at anra.org Thu Jun 12 08:58:26 2008 From: kholcomb at anra.org (Kelley Holcomb) Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:58:26 -0500 Subject: [USCC] Sulfur In-Reply-To: <001e01c8cc87$c44cfc10$4ce6f430$@net> References: <001e01c8cc87$c44cfc10$4ce6f430$@net> Message-ID: <000f01c8cc94$631b0380$fa01a8c0@kholcomb> Ron: I our part of the world, we get a lot of pine in our wood waste. It compost well, but it also drops the pH to as low as the high 4's. Hardwood waste yields a pH in the mid to upper 7's Kelley Holcomb Soil Therapy Compost www.soiltherapy.org -----Original Message----- From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of alexassoc at earthlink.net Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 7:28 AM To: compost Subject: [USCC] Sulfur Hello Compost World, Has anybody out there had any 'real' success adding sulfur to compost to reduce its pH? Thanks, 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 _______________________________________ Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX. 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org From Michele.Young at sanjoseca.gov Thu Jun 12 19:21:13 2008 From: Michele.Young at sanjoseca.gov (Young, Michele) Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:21:13 -0700 Subject: [USCC] Best use of a horse resource Message-ID: <4B7DBB32B8E0254081660CC49C2B7AFA678ED6@ex08.sjcity.net> Greetings Composters, I had a great conversation with a compost enthusiast, who is representing the Los Angeles horse council. He is interested in more information about co-composting horse (or other) animal manures with green waste. His organization is going to advocate for more composting capacity in the LA area, so he is definitely on our team. If you have examples of successful operations, research , or resources that you can share with him, please contact him directly. He is not on the listserv (yet), but is interested in attending composting workshops, etc. Thanks for helping his group advocate for highest and best use of this horse resource. Contact Frtiz Bronner at the email above, or at 818-896-8390 Thank you Michele Young Turn Over an Old Leaf - Compost! Michele Young City of San Jose Environmental Services Department 200 E. Santa Clara St. Tower 10 San Jose, CA 95113 Phone: (408) 975-2519 FAX: (408) 292-6212 From agas at info.bw Sat Jun 14 03:55:18 2008 From: agas at info.bw (agas@info.bw) Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2008 10:55:18 +0200 Subject: [USCC] Best use of a horse resource In-Reply-To: <4B7DBB32B8E0254081660CC49C2B7AFA678ED6@ex08.sjcity.net> References: <4B7DBB32B8E0254081660CC49C2B7AFA678ED6@ex08.sjcity.net> Message-ID: <4853A396.23251.D4892@agas.info.bw> Hello Michele, I can report on my experience, but no formal research, testing or science! For a couple of years I was collecting fruit and vegetable waste from a local wholesaler and horse manure in sawdust bedding from the stable. I would mix these approx. 1/3 manure with 2/3 vegetable waste and produce a very good looking / smelling / feeling compost that sold as fast as I could produce it! It took about 2-3 months from start to finish in passively aerated windrows, turned about every two to three weeks. The addition of the manure with bedding to the rotting, stinking vegetable waste was almost magical. The smell stops almost instantly. I was doing this in a residential area in the middle of town, and never had any complaints from neighbours. (Occassional grumbles from family when I arrived with the trailor full of stinking cabbages!) best regards, Agas. On 12 Jun 2008 at 17:21, Young, Michele wrote: > Greetings Composters, > > I had a great conversation with a compost enthusiast, who is representing > the Los Angeles horse council. He is interested in more information about > co-composting horse (or other) animal manures with green waste. His > organization is going to advocate for more composting capacity in the LA > area, so he is definitely on our team. > > If you have examples of successful operations, research , or resources that > you can share with him, please contact him directly. He is not on the > listserv (yet), but is interested in attending composting workshops, etc. > > Thanks for helping his group advocate for highest and best use of this horse > resource. > > Contact Frtiz Bronner at the email above, or at 818-896-8390 > > Thank you Michele Young > > Turn Over an Old Leaf - Compost! > > Michele Young > City of San Jose > Environmental Services Department > 200 E. Santa Clara St. Tower 10 > San Jose, CA 95113 > Phone: (408) 975-2519 > FAX: (408) 292-6212 > > _______________________________________ > Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show > January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX. > 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org > -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. From howard at stenndesign.com Fri Jun 13 11:28:01 2008 From: howard at stenndesign.com (Howard@stenndesign.com) Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:28:01 -0700 Subject: [USCC] Best use of a horse resource In-Reply-To: <4B7DBB32B8E0254081660CC49C2B7AFA678ED6@ex08.sjcity.net> References: <4B7DBB32B8E0254081660CC49C2B7AFA678ED6@ex08.sjcity.net> Message-ID: <4852A011.3020702@stenndesign.com> Michele, King County (Seattle) has promoted on site composting with education, set up a "manure-share" hotline / website connecting gardeners and small farmers who want manure with horse owners, and promoted a collection program that I think sends manure to the green waste composter. You might check with Karen May at King county Solid Waste. Howard Stenn Young, Michele wrote: > Greetings Composters, > > I had a great conversation with a compost enthusiast, who is representing > the Los Angeles horse council. He is interested in more information about > co-composting horse (or other) animal manures with green waste. His > organization is going to advocate for more composting capacity in the LA > area, so he is definitely on our team. > > If you have examples of successful operations, research , or resources that > you can share with him, please contact him directly. He is not on the > listserv (yet), but is interested in attending composting workshops, etc. > > Thanks for helping his group advocate for highest and best use of this horse > resource. > > Contact Frtiz Bronner at the email above, or at 818-896-8390 > > Thank you Michele Young > > Turn Over an Old Leaf - Compost! > > Michele Young > City of San Jose > Environmental Services Department > 200 E. Santa Clara St. Tower 10 > San Jose, CA 95113 > Phone: (408) 975-2519 > FAX: (408) 292-6212 > > _______________________________________ > Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show > January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX. > 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org > > From Rufus.Chaney at ARS.USDA.GOV Fri Jun 13 13:25:29 2008 From: Rufus.Chaney at ARS.USDA.GOV (Chaney, Rufus) Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:25:29 -0400 Subject: [USCC] Sulfur In-Reply-To: <001e01c8cc87$c44cfc10$4ce6f430$@net> Message-ID: Dear Ron et al: You may recall Frank Gouin's use of flowers of sulfur to reduce the pH of the old calcareous biosolids compost from DC/MD so he could grow Azalea. He didn't have to go to extremely low pH because the compost was high in Fe, and the main problem with high pH media for Azalea is Fe deficiency. The Baltimore compost (Orgro) is about pH 6.5-7, high in Fe, and is a good substrate for Azalea as sold. He mixed commercial flowers or granulated sulfur with the compost and waited until the reaction was completed. That can take many months. The oxidation of sulfur is a biological activity, and depends on particle size of the sulfur. Mixing during the process can speed it up if only because mixing distributes the acidity and remaining limestone particles in the compost. As a rule, one would avoid trying to acidify such a compost. Only a few plant species have trouble with neutral pH organic media, including especially azalea and rhododendron and blueberry. Most other acid requiring plant species don't have as much trouble as these because of the other qualities of compost. So your customer could label the product as not for use with acid requiring plant species and give a list, or they could go about the acidification using sulfur. Because the amount of sulfur needed to acidify is complex, I can't give you a simple formula. I have used 1 mole S for one mole CaCO3 equivalent to estimate needed sulfur, but the degree of mixing is very important. And giving the mixture time to complete the oxidation of the sulfur. And then when you have gotten a batch acidified to equilibrium, if the pH is too low, adding a little of the normal alkaline compost back to the mixture to get the final needed pH. The reaction of lime in compost is pretty rapid, so you can make experimental mixtures, let them sit moist for several weeks and then measure final pH to work out how much alkaline compost to add back to get say pH 6.5 or so. But the oxidation/acidification is so slow that you can't really do a test incubation unless you are willing to wait for 6 months to be sure the reaction is complete. A couple of months will not assure that all the sulfur was oxidized. And you don't want to sell a product with sulfur remaining which can oxidize after sale and produce an aluminum toxic compost when applied to soil. Frank reported on what he did in some of his papers, maybe in Compost Science/BioCycle in the 1980s. Regards, Rufus Chaney Beltsville, MD ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -----Original Message----- From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of alexassoc at earthlink.net Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:28 AM To: compost Subject: [USCC] Sulfur Hello Compost World, Has anybody out there had any 'real' success adding sulfur to compost to reduce its pH? Thanks, Ron Ron Alexander From matt at mattcotton.com Mon Jun 16 09:21:36 2008 From: matt at mattcotton.com (Matthew Cotton) Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:21:36 -0700 Subject: [USCC] Fwd: Best use of a horse resource References: <9A30BEF1-652E-4E27-B240-06E408E7D4B1@mattcotton.com> Message-ID: <9C9E9A24-C934-48DE-8FD1-9403DD5CB19D@mattcotton.com> > Michele - > > Peter Moon of O2 Compost has done a lot of work with horse owners > and their, um, feedstock. > > Check out http://www.o2compost.com/index.htm > > They have worked with horses at many different scales, all over the > country, including some California projects (some of which are > described on their website). > > Peter is a talented teacher and occasionally gives trainings at > horse-related events. > > 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 Jun 12, 2008, at 5:21 PM, Young, Michele wrote: > >> Greetings Composters, >> >> I had a great conversation with a compost enthusiast, who is >> representing >> the Los Angeles horse council. He is interested in more >> information about >> co-composting horse (or other) animal manures with green waste. His >> organization is going to advocate for more composting capacity in >> the LA >> area, so he is definitely on our team. >> >> If you have examples of successful operations, research , or >> resources that >> you can share with him, please contact him directly. He is not on >> the >> listserv (yet), but is interested in attending composting >> workshops, etc. >> >> Thanks for helping his group advocate for highest and best use of >> this horse >> resource. >> >> Contact Frtiz Bronner at the email above, or at 818-896-8390 >> >> Thank you Michele Young >> >> Turn Over an Old Leaf - Compost! >> >> Michele Young >> City of San Jose >> Environmental Services Department >> 200 E. Santa Clara St. Tower 10 >> San Jose, CA 95113 >> Phone: (408) 975-2519 >> FAX: (408) 292-6212 >> >> _______________________________________ >> Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & >> Trade Show >> January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX. >> 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 >> compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org > From wfbr17 at woodsend.org Mon Jun 16 08:36:11 2008 From: wfbr17 at woodsend.org (Will Brinton) Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:36:11 -0400 Subject: [USCC] RE Sulfur in compost Message-ID: <48566C4B.6030205@woodsend.org> Ron et al; Our clients have occasionally employed elemental S successfully to reduce ammonia loss from high pH conditons, but there are some limtis to effective sulfur use in composts - as distinct from in soils. The sulfur-oxidizing Thiobacilli require strictly aerobic, and mostly mesophilic and somewhat acidophilic conditions- there is only limited evidence for higher temperature thiobacilli and little evidence that if the pH is very high they'll survive. Also, if the pile gets too wet, you'll get H2S odors from sulfate reduction as a side-effect. Dr William Brinton -- Woods End Laboratories - Bioenergy & Biocompost Testing - Mt Vernon ME 04352 www.woodsend.org To: "compost" Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 5:28 AM Subject: [USCC] Sulfur Hello Compost World, Has anybody out there had any 'real' success adding sulfur to compost to reduce its pH? Thanks, Ron From ConSulInc at aol.com Mon Jun 16 20:20:37 2008 From: ConSulInc at aol.com (ConSulInc@aol.com) Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:20:37 EDT Subject: [USCC] Sulfur Message-ID: Dear Rufus et al: Some additional data as regard to sulfur oxidation: As Rufus states, it is a biological process affected by the size of the sulfur particle (microns is best), time and temperature. Bacillus thiooxidans, an aerobic organism, is responsible for consuming sulfur and excreting sulfuric acid. BT is present in many locations and soils, but there are areas in the world where soils must be inoculated -- some materials being composted are likely to require inoculant. BT is active in a temperature range from 50F to 200F or so The impact of sulfuric acid on composting activity is likely to be negative. Applying finely ground sulfur (dust) can be hazardous due to static electricity and the possibility of explosions. masks and eye protection are a must. spraying a solution of the material as possible, but getting sulfur dust fully dispersed in a water solution is difficult and time consuming -- think of putting cocoa powder into a bowl and trying to mix it. Finally, any sulfur which remains attached to exposed carbon steel will corrode either through sulfuric acid or through an electrolytic reaction in the presence of moisture Eventually, the latter can convert iron to iron sulfite, a material which will auto-ignite when exposed to air (pyrophoric). Having been associated with commercial ag, sulfur fertilizer compounds, fertilizer sales and the sulfur itself, I recommend a separate amendment specifically targeted to the plant and existing soil conditions rather that adding sulfur to material being composted. Jerry d'Aquin President Con-Sul, Inc **************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007) From craigcoker at cox.net Tue Jun 17 10:49:18 2008 From: craigcoker at cox.net (Craig Coker) Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:49:18 -0400 Subject: [USCC] Compost Testing for Ascaris ova alternatives Message-ID: <005c01c8d091$b3fce5b0$6400a8c0@LAPTOP> Hello, colleagues: A Virginia solid waste composter (source-separated, no MSW or biosolids) is required to test finished product for Ascaris ova to establish that the finished compost is indeed a product and not a regulated solid waste. This test is both expensive and time-consuming, and the delays in getting lab results are a significant impediment to materials handling on the compost pad. Can anyone suggest a test for parasitical ova other than Ascaris that might be cheaper and faster turnaround? Many thanks, Craig Craig Coker Coker Composting & Consulting 3331 Glade Creek Blvd., Ste. 7 Roanoke, VA 24012 Tel.: (540) 904-2698 Fax: (540) 904-6732 Cell: (540) 874-5168 Email: craigcoker at cox.net Web: www.cokercompost.com From wfbr17 at woodsend.org Wed Jun 18 15:32:13 2008 From: wfbr17 at woodsend.org (Will Brinton) Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:32:13 -0400 Subject: [USCC] Does composting rid of chemicals in manure? In-Reply-To: <20080514185717.1E8E947BEE1@mx1.cloudnet.com> References: <20080514185717.1E8E947BEE1@mx1.cloudnet.com> Message-ID: <485970CD.1090808@woodsend.org> Gary- did anyone reply to your concern? I just reviewed a research paper from the Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Bonn, Germany. It concludes that many antibiotics in manure do survive in soil (after manure application) for up to 90 days, and are therefore "relatively stable". It is now well known that these could be uptaked by plants, and passed along the food chain. Others are reported to have degraded rapidly. Composting should be assumed to be similar to soil and possibly better (i.e.composting is not necessarily faster in biodegradation). Interestingly, in the EU annually about 15,000 tons of antibiotics are administered to humans and animals, the non-metabolized fraction of which will find its way via excretion into the environment (mostly biosolids and released wastewater, and of course manures). I am sure the quantities used are probably higher in the USA for animals, and I am not sure for humans. Your concern should be pursued until more information on composting is obtained. See also the early forerunner paper (before use of antibiotics got really intense): Vogtman, H.; W. Obrist, K. Hauser, H. P. P f i r t e r a n d F. Augstburger, 1978. Compost Science/Land Utilization. "Cornposting and Plant Growth: Use o f c h i c k e n M a n u r e c o n t a i n i n g a n t i b i o t i c s " Will Brinton Gary Bright wrote: > Today I was asked this question from a watch-dog agency in Michigan; > "How do you treat the 168 chemicals in the manure and the growth hormones > and antibiotics" ? > > > -- Woods End Laboratories - Bioenergy & Biocompost Testing - Mt Vernon ME 04352 www.woodsend.org From bary at wsu.edu Fri Jun 20 13:34:36 2008 From: bary at wsu.edu (Bary, Andy) Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:34:36 -0700 Subject: [USCC] Best use of a horse resource In-Reply-To: <4B7DBB32B8E0254081660CC49C2B7AFA678ED6@ex08.sjcity.net> References: <4B7DBB32B8E0254081660CC49C2B7AFA678ED6@ex08.sjcity.net> Message-ID: <438EA848D71AEC42A73F267F3B32429E02519419@prc10.puy.ad.wsu.edu> Here is a link to my web page that has info on horse manure as a feed stock for composting. http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/soilmgmt/Manure_horse.htm Andy Andy Bary Senior Scientific Assistant - Soils Washington State University - Puyallup 7612 Pioneer Way East Puyallup, WA 98371 http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/soilmgmt/ Office 253-445-4588 Fax 253-445-4569 -----Original Message----- From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Young, Michele Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 5:21 PM To: 'Compost Discussion List' Cc: 'fbronner at earthlink.net' Subject: [USCC] Best use of a horse resource Greetings Composters, I had a great conversation with a compost enthusiast, who is representing the Los Angeles horse council. He is interested in more information about co-composting horse (or other) animal manures with green waste. His organization is going to advocate for more composting capacity in the LA area, so he is definitely on our team. If you have examples of successful operations, research , or resources that you can share with him, please contact him directly. He is not on the listserv (yet), but is interested in attending composting workshops, etc. Thanks for helping his group advocate for highest and best use of this horse resource. Contact Frtiz Bronner at the email above, or at 818-896-8390 Thank you Michele Young Turn Over an Old Leaf - Compost! Michele Young City of San Jose Environmental Services Department 200 E. Santa Clara St. Tower 10 San Jose, CA 95113 Phone: (408) 975-2519 FAX: (408) 292-6212 _______________________________________ Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX. 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org From brushett at metrocast.net Fri Jun 20 14:10:34 2008 From: brushett at metrocast.net (Lynda Brushett) Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:10:34 -0400 Subject: [USCC] does composting remove chemicals, etc? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Gary and others, If the manure goes through a digester, I understand chemicals and pathogen are destroyed in the process, meaning that solids separated from the effluent are free of pathogens and chemicals and in turn produce a clean compost. Is this not the case? Lynda On Jun 20, 2008, at 1:00 PM, compost-request at mailman.cloudnet.com wrote: > Today's Topics: > > 1. Does composting rid of chemicals in manure? (Will Brinton) > > From: Will Brinton > Date: June 18, 2008 4:32:13 PM EDT > To: Compost Discussion List > Subject: [USCC] Does composting rid of chemicals in manure? > Reply-To: Compost Discussion List > > > Gary- > > did anyone reply to your concern? > > I just reviewed a research paper from the Institute of Hygiene and > Public Health, Bonn, Germany. It concludes that many antibiotics in > manure do survive in soil (after manure application) for up to 90 > days, and are therefore "relatively stable". It is now well known > that these could be uptaked by plants, and passed along the food > chain. Others are reported to have degraded rapidly. Composting > should be assumed to be similar to soil and possibly better > (i.e.composting is not necessarily faster in biodegradation). > > Interestingly, in the EU annually about 15,000 tons of antibiotics > are administered to humans and animals, the non-metabolized > fraction of which will find its way via excretion into the > environment (mostly biosolids and released wastewater, and of > course manures). I am sure the quantities used are probably higher > in the USA for animals, and I am not sure for humans. Your concern > should be pursued until more information on composting is obtained. > See also the early forerunner paper (before use of antibiotics got > really intense): > > Vogtman, H.; W. Obrist, K. Hauser, H. P. P f i r t e r a n d F. > Augstburger, 1978. Compost Science/Land Utilization. "Cornposting > and Plant Growth: Use o f c h i c k e n M a n u r e c o n t a i n > i n g a n t i b i o t i c s " > Will Brinton > > Gary Bright wrote: >> Today I was asked this question from a watch-dog agency in Michigan; >> "How do you treat the 168 chemicals in the manure and the growth >> hormones >> and antibiotics" ? >> >> >> > -- > Woods End Laboratories > - Bioenergy & Biocompost Testing - > Mt Vernon ME 04352 > www.woodsend.org > > > > Lynda Brushett, Ph. D. Cooperative Development Institute 603-664-5838 www.cdi.coop From gbrec at comcast.net Fri Jun 20 21:50:26 2008 From: gbrec at comcast.net (Gary Bright) Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:50:26 -0400 Subject: [USCC] Does composting rid of chemicals in manure? In-Reply-To: <485970CD.1090808@woodsend.org> Message-ID: <20080621025030.11243C991AA@mx1.cloudnet.com> Will: I had one reply to my question. That comment stated even though you compost biosolids or manure a bacteria called "prions" will survive; even very cold or very high temperatures. And as you noted such bacteria will find its way into the environment via human and animal excretion. Especially if you have a slaughter house discharging into a waste water treatment plant. This appears to be interesting to me for two reasons. First, could it be possible that the recent tomato "salmonella" is caused by surviving bacteria when waste water treatment biosolids and liquid is applied to farmlands as a fertilizer? And might I say, most of the time, untreated. Septic tank waste as well? Second, all this thought leads me to ask the question about composting. Is there any difference between 24/7 aerobic composting and anaerobic composting when it comes to pathogens?. What significant distinction occurs between the two?. Gary -----Original Message----- From: Will Brinton [mailto:wfbr17 at woodsend.org] Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 4:32 PM To: Compost Discussion List Subject: [USCC] Does composting rid of chemicals in manure? Gary- did anyone reply to your concern? I just reviewed a research paper from the Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Bonn, Germany. It concludes that many antibiotics in manure do survive in soil (after manure application) for up to 90 days, and are therefore "relatively stable". It is now well known that these could be uptaked by plants, and passed along the food chain. Others are reported to have degraded rapidly. Composting should be assumed to be similar to soil and possibly better (i.e.composting is not necessarily faster in biodegradation). Interestingly, in the EU annually about 15,000 tons of antibiotics are administered to humans and animals, the non-metabolized fraction of which will find its way via excretion into the environment (mostly biosolids and released wastewater, and of course manures). I am sure the quantities used are probably higher in the USA for animals, and I am not sure for humans. Your concern should be pursued until more information on composting is obtained. See also the early forerunner paper (before use of antibiotics got really intense): Vogtman, H.; W. Obrist, K. Hauser, H. P. P f i r t e r a n d F. Augstburger, 1978. Compost Science/Land Utilization. "Cornposting and Plant Growth: Use o f c h i c k e n M a n u r e c o n t a i n i n g a n t i b i o t i c s " Will Brinton Gary Bright wrote: > Today I was asked this question from a watch-dog agency in Michigan; > "How do you treat the 168 chemicals in the manure and the growth hormones > and antibiotics" ? > > > -- Woods End Laboratories - Bioenergy & Biocompost Testing - Mt Vernon ME 04352 www.woodsend.org From alh54 at cornell.edu Mon Jun 23 12:47:37 2008 From: alh54 at cornell.edu (Allison L H Jack) Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:47:37 -0400 Subject: [USCC] antibiotics from livestock and compost Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20080623132639.01c675e8@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> Hi Lynda, Gary and Will, Most antibiotics are unstable under high temperatures, so hot composting can help reduce their levels in livestock manure before application to soil. Here are some recent papers on the topic. -Allison Title: Composting rapidly reduces levels of extractable oxytetracycline in manure from therapeutically treated beef calves Author(s): Arikan OA, Sikora LJ, Mulbry W, et al. Source: BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY Volume: 98 Issue: 1 Pages: 169-176 Published: JAN 2007 Abstract: Oxytetracychne (OTC) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used in livestock production. The widespread use and relative persistence of OTC may encourage development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The objective of this study was to determine whether composting would substantially reduce the concentration of OTC found in manure from medicated animals. The effect of OTC on composting was also investigated. Five beef calves were medicated for 5 days with 22 mg/kg/day of OTC. Approximately 23% of the OTC fed to the calves was recovered in the manure. Manure samples collected from calves prior to and after medication were mixed with straw and woodchips, and aliquots of the subsequent mixtures were treated in laboratory composters for 35 days. In addition, aliquots of the OTC-containing mixture were incubated at 25 degrees C or sterilized followed by incubation at 25 degrees C. The presence of OTC did not appear to affect composting processes. Within the first six days of composting, levels of extractable OTC in the compost mixture decreased from 115 +/- 8 mu g/g dry weight to less than 6 +/- 1 mu g/g dry weight (a 95% reduction). In contrast, levels of extractable OTC in room temperature incubated and sterilized mixtures decreased only 12-25% after 37 and 35 days, respectively. Levels of total heterotrophic bacteria and OTC-resistant bacteria in the finished compost mixture were roughly 30-fold higher and 10-fold lower, respectively, than levels in the mixture prior to composting. Although the basis of the OTC disappearance during composting is not known, the preponderence of OTC-sensitive bacteria and the decrease of OTC-resistant bacteria in the finished compost suggests that OTC residues have been rendered biologically inactive or unavailable. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Title: Antibiotic degradation during manure composting Author(s): Dolliver H, Gupta S, Noll S Source: JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY Volume: 37 Issue: 3 Pages: 1245-1253 Published: MAY-JUN 2008 Abstract: On-farm manure management practices, such as composting, may provide a practical and economical option for reducing antibiotic concentrations in manure before land application, thereby minimizing the potential for environmental contamination. The objective of this study was to quantify degradation of chlortetracycline, monensin, sulfamethazine, and tylosin in spiked turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) litter during composting. Three manure composting treatments were evaluated: a control treatment (manure pile with no disturbance or adjustments after initial mixing), a managed compost pile (weekly mixing and moisture content adjustments), and vessel composting. Despite significant differences in temperature, mass, and nutrient losses between the composting treatments and the control, there was no difference in antibiotic degradation among the treatments. Chlortetracycline concentrations declined rapidly during composting, whereas monensin and tylosin concentrations declined gradually in all three treatments. There was no degradation of sulfamethazine in any of treatments. At the conclusion of the composting period (22-35 d), there was >99% reduction in chlortetracycline, whereas monensin and tylosin reduction ranged from 54 to 76% in all three treatments. Assuming first-order decay, the half-lives for chlortetracycline, monensin, and tylosin were 1, 17, and 19 d, respectively. These data suggest that managed compositing in a manure pile or in a vessel is not better than the control treatment in degrading certain antibiotics in manure. Therefore, low-level manure management, such as stockpiling, after an initial adjustment of water content may be a practical and economical option for livestock producers in reducing antibiotic levels in manure before land application. Title: Factors affecting the degradation of amoxicillin in composting toilet Author(s): Kakimoto T, Funamizu N Source: CHEMOSPHERE Volume: 66 Issue: 11 Pages: 2219-2224 Published: FEB 2007 Abstract: The biological and non-biological factors that affect the degradation of amoxicillin in the composting process of feces have been investigated. The effect of living bacteria and the enzyme (beta-lactamase) on amoxicillin decay was examined, and our results indicated that the biological effects are likely to be negligible. Consequently, the effect of phosphate, ammonia and pH level as non-biological factors was investigated by monitoring the reduction rate of amoxicillin in phosphate and ammonia buffer solutions with several pH levels. Each reduction rate constant was integrated by a simulation model, and the each calculated amoxicillin reduction profile was compared to the reduction profiles of amoxicillin in the composting process of feces. The calculated results corresponded almost exactly to the experimental profiles. We therefore concluded that the degradation of arnoxicillin in a toilet matrix was dependent on the concentration of ammonia, phosphate and hydroxyl ion. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Title: Influence of temperature on survival and conjugative transfer of multiple antibiotic-resistant Plasmids in chicken manure and compost microcosms Author(s): Guan J, Wasty A, Grenier C, et al. Source: POULTRY SCIENCE Volume: 86 Issue: 4 Pages: 610-613 Published: APR 2007 Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine if mobile plasmids carrying antibiotic-resistant genes could survive and be transferred in chicken manure maintained under conditions similar to those found in commercial cage layer operations and during composting. Escherichia coli J5 harboring a self-transmissible plasmid (RP4) and E. coli C600 harboring a mobile plasmid (pIE723) were used as plasmid donors; E. coli CV601 was used as a plasmid recipient. At 23 degrees C both plasmids were transferred to E. coli CV601 in chicken manure and in compost microcosms that consisted of a mixture of chicken manure and peat. The transfer frequencies ranged from 8.1 x 10(-5) to 2.4 x 10(-3) per donor cell in manure and from 2.4 x 10(-5) to 5.5 x 10(-4) per donor cell in compost microcosms. After 45 d of incubation at 23 degrees C, RP4, but not pIE723, was recovered by an exogenous isolation method although their E. coli hosts were not cultured from the microcosms. However, when the temperatures of the compost microcosms were elevated to 50 degrees C or above, neither the plasmids nor their E. coli hosts could be detected. The results suggested that composting of chicken manure at high temperatures could help prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes via plasmids in the environment. ************************************************************************************** Allison L H Jack Graduate Student Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology http://pppmb.cals.cornell.edu Cornell University 335 Plant Science Ithaca, NY 14850 607.273.5762 ************************************************************************************* "...Advancing a productive and sustainable agriculture" from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences mission statement From craigcoker at cox.net Mon Jun 23 15:56:07 2008 From: craigcoker at cox.net (Craig Coker) Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:56:07 -0400 Subject: [USCC] Carolinas Compost School Early Registration Closes Soon Message-ID: <006f01c8d573$8f457bb0$6400a8c0@LAPTOP> Early registration for the compost operator training course, Commercial Composting and Compost Use expires on July 1, 2008. The course will be taught from Monday through Friday, September 8 - 12, 2008 at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. Register now so you are assured of a seat in this important and valuable training program! This course will again be taught by several of the most experienced professionals in composting in the Carolinas, including Frank Franciosi, Rhonda Sherman and Craig Coker. Franciosi is currently Manager of the Nature's GREEN-RELEAF TM - Novozymes North America, Inc. Composting Facility in Franklinton, NC and has over 15 years experience managing composting facilities. Sherman has 22 years of experience in solid waste management and has been on faculty at NC State University for 15 years and provides education and technical assistance on vermicomposting and composting throughout the United States. Coker runs Coker Composting & Consulting and has over 28 years of technical experience in all aspects of composting facility planning, permitting, design, construction and operation. This 40-hour course will offer detailed classroom lecture on compost science and engineering, facility design, and compost use, valuable practice problems and worksheet exercises, field exercises to learn procedures that will improve composting operations, and tours of commercial-scale composting facilities. Course tuition is $295 for USCC members and $345 for non-members if registration is received before July 1, 2008. After July 1, 2008, course tuition is $345 for USCC members and $395 for non-members. Lodging will be available at the Holiday Inn-Brownstone in downtown Raleigh near NCSU for a special rate of $88 per night. For more information, please visit the USCC-NC webpage at www.carolinacompost.com . If you have any questions, give me a call. Craig Coker Coker Composting & Consulting 3331 Glade Creek Blvd., Ste. 7 Roanoke, VA 24012 Tel.: (540) 904-2698 Fax: (540) 904-6732 Cell: (540) 874-5168 Email: craigcoker at cox.net Web: www.cokercompost.com From johncossham at tiscali.co.uk Mon Jun 23 13:14:28 2008 From: johncossham at tiscali.co.uk (john cossham) Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:14:28 +0100 Subject: [USCC] does composting remove chemicals, etc? References: Message-ID: <008001c8d55c$fa64d9c0$0200a8c0@Johnsthingy> I may be accused of being pedantic, but EVERYTHING is made of 'chemicals' and therefore this thread is a bit meaningless to a chemist. Some chemicals are changed into others during composting, ie ammonia may be split into nitrogen and combine with O2 to make water vapour... and long-chain carbohydrates are degraded into sugars and fermented into carbon dioxide etc etc, so when talking about 'chemicals' can you be more specific please? Thanks! John 'the composter' Cossham, York, UK ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lynda Brushett" To: Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 8:10 PM Subject: [USCC] does composting remove chemicals, etc? > Gary and others, If the manure goes through a digester, I understand > chemicals and pathogen are destroyed in the process, meaning that solids > separated from the effluent are free of pathogens and chemicals and in > turn produce a clean compost. Is this not the case? Lynda > > On Jun 20, 2008, at 1:00 PM, compost-request at mailman.cloudnet.com wrote: >> Today's Topics: >> >> 1. Does composting rid of chemicals in manure? (Will Brinton) >> >> From: Will Brinton >> Date: June 18, 2008 4:32:13 PM EDT >> To: Compost Discussion List >> Subject: [USCC] Does composting rid of chemicals in manure? >> Reply-To: Compost Discussion List >> >> >> Gary- >> >> did anyone reply to your concern? >> >> I just reviewed a research paper from the Institute of Hygiene and >> Public Health, Bonn, Germany. It concludes that many antibiotics in >> manure do survive in soil (after manure application) for up to 90 days, >> and are therefore "relatively stable". It is now well known that these >> could be uptaked by plants, and passed along the food chain. Others are >> reported to have degraded rapidly. Composting should be assumed to be >> similar to soil and possibly better (i.e.composting is not necessarily >> faster in biodegradation). >> >> Interestingly, in the EU annually about 15,000 tons of antibiotics are >> administered to humans and animals, the non-metabolized fraction of >> which will find its way via excretion into the environment (mostly >> biosolids and released wastewater, and of course manures). I am sure the >> quantities used are probably higher in the USA for animals, and I am not >> sure for humans. Your concern should be pursued until more information >> on composting is obtained. See also the early forerunner paper (before >> use of antibiotics got really intense): >> >> Vogtman, H.; W. Obrist, K. Hauser, H. P. P f i r t e r a n d F. >> Augstburger, 1978. Compost Science/Land Utilization. "Cornposting and >> Plant Growth: Use o f c h i c k e n M a n u r e c o n t a i n i n g a >> n t i b i o t i c s " >> Will Brinton >> >> Gary Bright wrote: >>> Today I was asked this question from a watch-dog agency in Michigan; >>> "How do you treat the 168 chemicals in the manure and the growth >>> hormones >>> and antibiotics" ? >>> >>> >>> >> -- >> Woods End Laboratories >> - Bioenergy & Biocompost Testing - >> Mt Vernon ME 04352 >> www.woodsend.org >> >> >> >> > > Lynda Brushett, Ph. D. > Cooperative Development Institute > 603-664-5838 > www.cdi.coop > > > > > From pj.binder at verizon.net Mon Jun 23 10:47:48 2008 From: pj.binder at verizon.net (PJ Binder) Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:47:48 -0400 Subject: [USCC] Does composting rid of chemicals in manure? In-Reply-To: <20080621025030.11243C991AA@mx1.cloudnet.com> Message-ID: <001501c8d548$7d3906b0$0301a8c0@Cedar> I have been concerned about what is left over in the compost that is available to the community from the local township. Its not tested that I know of and who knows what is put into it and people love to put it in there gardens. as for the bio solids they are gaining a huge amount of use in the lawn care industry. And no one knows what is in the bio solids? PJ Binder Landscaping po box 454 Broomall, PA 19008 pj.binder at verizon.net -----Original Message----- From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Gary Bright Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 10:50 PM To: 'Compost Discussion List' Subject: Re: [USCC] Does composting rid of chemicals in manure? Will: I had one reply to my question. That comment stated even though you compost biosolids or manure a bacteria called "prions" will survive; even very cold or very high temperatures. And as you noted such bacteria will find its way into the environment via human and animal excretion. Especially if you have a slaughter house discharging into a waste water treatment plant. This appears to be interesting to me for two reasons. First, could it be possible that the recent tomato "salmonella" is caused by surviving bacteria when waste water treatment biosolids and liquid is applied to farmlands as a fertilizer? And might I say, most of the time, untreated. Septic tank waste as well? Second, all this thought leads me to ask the question about composting. Is there any difference between 24/7 aerobic composting and anaerobic composting when it comes to pathogens?. What significant distinction occurs between the two?. Gary -----Original Message----- From: Will Brinton [mailto:wfbr17 at woodsend.org] Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 4:32 PM To: Compost Discussion List Subject: [USCC] Does composting rid of chemicals in manure? Gary- did anyone reply to your concern? I just reviewed a research paper from the Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Bonn, Germany. It concludes that many antibiotics in manure do survive in soil (after manure application) for up to 90 days, and are therefore "relatively stable". It is now well known that these could be uptaked by plants, and passed along the food chain. Others are reported to have degraded rapidly. Composting should be assumed to be similar to soil and possibly better (i.e.composting is not necessarily faster in biodegradation). Interestingly, in the EU annually about 15,000 tons of antibiotics are administered to humans and animals, the non-metabolized fraction of which will find its way via excretion into the environment (mostly biosolids and released wastewater, and of course manures). I am sure the quantities used are probably higher in the USA for animals, and I am not sure for humans. Your concern should be pursued until more information on composting is obtained. See also the early forerunner paper (before use of antibiotics got really intense): Vogtman, H.; W. Obrist, K. Hauser, H. P. P f i r t e r a n d F. Augstburger, 1978. Compost Science/Land Utilization. "Cornposting and Plant Growth: Use o f c h i c k e n M a n u r e c o n t a i n i n g a n t i b i o t i c s " Will Brinton Gary Bright wrote: > Today I was asked this question from a watch-dog agency in Michigan; > "How do you treat the 168 chemicals in the manure and the growth hormones > and antibiotics" ? > > > -- Woods End Laboratories - Bioenergy & Biocompost Testing - Mt Vernon ME 04352 www.woodsend.org _______________________________________ Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX. 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org From edo_mcgowan at hotmail.com Tue Jun 24 17:09:15 2008 From: edo_mcgowan at hotmail.com (Edo McGowan) Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:09:15 +0000 Subject: [USCC] antibiotics from livestock and compost In-Reply-To: <6.2.1.2.2.20080623132639.01c675e8@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> References: <6.2.1.2.2.20080623132639.01c675e8@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> Message-ID: Allison and group, I think it is a combination of factors and not necessarily strictly temp dependent---other factors need to be considered, but what might these be? Otherwise what would happen to drugs that are autoclaved? The drug itself needs to be considered, see below. If, for example, one knows the treatment regime of a single particular dairy, or poultry operation i.e., knowing what drugs the animals or birds are on, then some projections might be possible. But absent that and dealing with municipal sewage sludge, I think, this would be a crap shoot. I realize that the topic at hand is animal waste, but then you need to isolate sources as different operations will have different treatment regimes. Thus hitting some particular temp may give a false sense of security. Since your raw stock may be coming in from several sources, the reliance upon temperature alone may prove less than useful. Who amongst you is running bacteriological plate analyses from this? Is anyone looking at taking fluid samples, running these through millipore filter then isolating colonies from that, replating them on a lawn of Mueller-Hinton and then subjecting this to Kirby Bauer disc diffusion analyses? That would give you some clues as to how valid your process is and you would have results in just a few days. These are simple tests and if you are near a community college that has a bacti lab and teaches beginning micro, you might get someone (one of the sudents) to run these tests at essentially no cost. That would give you some idea of what is happening. My guess, however, is that you are going to find multi-drug resistant bugs in your product. They are difficult to destroy at temperatures and processes used by your industry. But, still, I encourage you to run the above noted simple tests. At least then you will know and thus can plan accordingly. Cheers-------------------Edo STABILITY OF ANTIBIOTICS IN MEAT DURING A SIMULATED HIGH TEMPERATURE DESTRUCTION PROCESS H.J. van Egmond, et al State Institute for Quality Control of Agricultural Products (RIKILT), Bornsesteeg 45, NL- 6708 PD Wageningen, The Netherlands Abstract With a simulation model at laboratory-scale, the stability of sixteen antibiotics during the destruction process of animal and offal's was investigated. The antibiotics were added to a mixture of pork-meat, pork-kidney, and pork-liver (90/5/5) (w/w/w), subsequently pasteurised at 80?C (15 min.), sterilised at 134?C (3 bar, 20 min.) and dried at 100?C (4 hours). During the different stages of this process, samples were taken and analysed for antimicrobial activity by bioassay. The remaining activity after the full destruction process was for lincomycin 80%, flumequine 69%, enrofloxacin 68%, neomycin 46%, tylosin 44%, sulfamethazine 38% and spiramycin 15%. Penicillin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, cloxacillin, oxytetracycline, doxycycline, colistin, dihydro-streptomycin and sulfamethoxazole were fully degraded (less than 10% remaining activity) after the sterilisation step (134?C). It is concluded that the high temperature destruction process does not guarantee a full break-down of residues of veterinary drugs present in condemned animals > Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:47:37 -0400 > To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com > From: alh54 at cornell.edu > Subject: [USCC] antibiotics from livestock and compost > > Hi Lynda, Gary and Will, > > Most antibiotics are unstable under high temperatures, so hot composting > can help reduce their levels in livestock manure before application to soil. > > Here are some recent papers on the topic. > > -Allison > > Title: > Composting > rapidly reduces levels of extractable oxytetracycline in manure from > therapeutically treated beef calves > Author(s): Arikan OA, Sikora LJ, Mulbry W, et al. > Source: BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY Volume: 98 Issue: 1 Pages: > 169-176 Published: JAN 2007 > > Abstract: Oxytetracychne (OTC) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used in > livestock production. The widespread use and relative persistence of OTC > may encourage development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The objective > of this study was to determine whether composting would substantially > reduce the concentration of OTC found in manure from medicated animals. The > effect of OTC on composting was also investigated. Five beef calves were > medicated for 5 days with 22 mg/kg/day of OTC. Approximately 23% of the OTC > fed to the calves was recovered in the manure. Manure samples collected > from calves prior to and after medication were mixed with straw and > woodchips, and aliquots of the subsequent mixtures were treated in > laboratory composters for 35 days. In addition, aliquots of the > OTC-containing mixture were incubated at 25 degrees C or sterilized > followed by incubation at 25 degrees C. The presence of OTC did not appear > to affect composting processes. Within the first six days of composting, > levels of extractable OTC in the compost mixture decreased from 115 +/- 8 > mu g/g dry weight to less than 6 +/- 1 mu g/g dry weight (a 95% reduction). > In contrast, levels of extractable OTC in room temperature incubated and > sterilized mixtures decreased only 12-25% after 37 and 35 days, > respectively. Levels of total heterotrophic bacteria and OTC-resistant > bacteria in the finished compost mixture were roughly 30-fold higher and > 10-fold lower, respectively, than levels in the mixture prior to > composting. Although the basis of the OTC disappearance during composting > is not known, the preponderence of OTC-sensitive bacteria and the decrease > of OTC-resistant bacteria in the finished compost suggests that OTC > residues have been rendered biologically inactive or unavailable. (c) 2005 > Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. > > Title: > Antibiotic > degradation during manure composting > Author(s): Dolliver H, Gupta S, Noll S > Source: JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY Volume: 37 Issue: 3 Pages: > 1245-1253 Published: MAY-JUN 2008 > > Abstract: On-farm manure management practices, such as composting, may > provide a practical and economical option for reducing antibiotic > concentrations in manure before land application, thereby minimizing the > potential for environmental contamination. The objective of this study was > to quantify degradation of chlortetracycline, monensin, sulfamethazine, and > tylosin in spiked turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) litter during composting. > Three manure composting treatments were evaluated: a control treatment > (manure pile with no disturbance or adjustments after initial mixing), a > managed compost pile (weekly mixing and moisture content adjustments), and > vessel composting. Despite significant differences in temperature, mass, > and nutrient losses between the composting treatments and the control, > there was no difference in antibiotic degradation among the treatments. > Chlortetracycline concentrations declined rapidly during composting, > whereas monensin and tylosin concentrations declined gradually in all three > treatments. There was no degradation of sulfamethazine in any of > treatments. At the conclusion of the composting period (22-35 d), there > was >99% reduction in chlortetracycline, whereas monensin and tylosin > reduction ranged from 54 to 76% in all three treatments. Assuming > first-order decay, the half-lives for chlortetracycline, monensin, and > tylosin were 1, 17, and 19 d, respectively. These data suggest that managed > compositing in a manure pile or in a vessel is not better than the control > treatment in degrading certain antibiotics in manure. Therefore, low-level > manure management, such as stockpiling, after an initial adjustment of > water content may be a practical and economical option for livestock > producers in reducing antibiotic levels in manure before land application. > > Title: > Factors > affecting the degradation of amoxicillin in composting toilet > Author(s): Kakimoto T, Funamizu N > Source: CHEMOSPHERE Volume: 66 Issue: 11 Pages: > 2219-2224 Published: FEB 2007 > > Abstract: The biological and non-biological factors that affect the > degradation of amoxicillin in the composting process of feces have been > investigated. The effect of living bacteria and the enzyme (beta-lactamase) > on amoxicillin decay was examined, and our results indicated that the > biological effects are likely to be negligible. Consequently, the effect of > phosphate, ammonia and pH level as non-biological factors was investigated > by monitoring the reduction rate of amoxicillin in phosphate and ammonia > buffer solutions with several pH levels. Each reduction rate constant was > integrated by a simulation model, and the each calculated amoxicillin > reduction profile was compared to the reduction profiles of amoxicillin in > the composting process of feces. The calculated results corresponded almost > exactly to the experimental profiles. We therefore concluded that the > degradation of arnoxicillin in a toilet matrix was dependent on the > concentration of ammonia, phosphate and hydroxyl ion. (c) 2006 Elsevier > Ltd. All rights reserved. > > Title: > Influence > of temperature on survival and conjugative transfer of multiple > antibiotic-resistant Plasmids in chicken manure and compost microcosms > Author(s): Guan J, Wasty A, Grenier C, et al. > Source: POULTRY SCIENCE Volume: 86 Issue: 4 Pages: > 610-613 Published: APR 2007 > > Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine if mobile plasmids > carrying antibiotic-resistant genes could survive and be transferred in > chicken manure maintained under conditions similar to those found in > commercial cage layer operations and during composting. Escherichia coli J5 > harboring a self-transmissible plasmid (RP4) and E. coli C600 harboring a > mobile plasmid (pIE723) were used as plasmid donors; E. coli CV601 was used > as a plasmid recipient. At 23 degrees C both plasmids were transferred to > E. coli CV601 in chicken manure and in compost microcosms that consisted of > a mixture of chicken manure and peat. The transfer frequencies ranged from > 8.1 x 10(-5) to 2.4 x 10(-3) per donor cell in manure and from 2.4 x 10(-5) > to 5.5 x 10(-4) per donor cell in compost microcosms. After 45 d of > incubation at 23 degrees C, RP4, but not pIE723, was recovered by an > exogenous isolation method although their E. coli hosts were not cultured > from the microcosms. However, when the temperatures of the compost > microcosms were elevated to 50 degrees C or above, neither the plasmids nor > their E. coli hosts could be detected. The results suggested that > composting of chicken manure at high temperatures could help prevent the > spread of antibiotic-resistant genes via plasmids in the environment. > > ************************************************************************************** > Allison L H Jack > Graduate Student > Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology > http://pppmb.cals.cornell.edu > Cornell University > 335 Plant Science > Ithaca, NY 14850 > 607.273.5762 > ************************************************************************************* > > > "...Advancing a productive and sustainable agriculture" > from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences mission statement > _______________________________________ > Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show > January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX. > 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org _________________________________________________________________ If you like crossword puzzles, then you'll love Flexicon, a game which combines four overlapping crossword puzzles into one! http://g.msn.ca/ca55/208 From pj.binder at verizon.net Tue Jun 24 20:53:11 2008 From: pj.binder at verizon.net (PJ Binder) Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:53:11 -0400 Subject: [USCC] does composting remove chemicals, etc? In-Reply-To: <008001c8d55c$fa64d9c0$0200a8c0@Johnsthingy> Message-ID: <000001c8d666$395e51b0$0301a8c0@Cedar> Ok I see your point But with bio solids how do we know what is in it to start with and what it ends up turning into? PJ Binder Landscaping po box 454 Broomall, PA 19008 pj.binder at verizon.net -----Original Message----- From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of john cossham Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 2:14 PM To: Compost Discussion List Subject: Re: [USCC] does composting remove chemicals, etc? I may be accused of being pedantic, but EVERYTHING is made of 'chemicals' and therefore this thread is a bit meaningless to a chemist. Some chemicals are changed into others during composting, ie ammonia may be split into nitrogen and combine with O2 to make water vapour... and long-chain carbohydrates are degraded into sugars and fermented into carbon dioxide etc etc, so when talking about 'chemicals' can you be more specific please? Thanks! John 'the composter' Cossham, York, UK ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lynda Brushett" To: Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 8:10 PM Subject: [USCC] does composting remove chemicals, etc? > Gary and others, If the manure goes through a digester, I understand > chemicals and pathogen are destroyed in the process, meaning that solids > separated from the effluent are free of pathogens and chemicals and in > turn produce a clean compost. Is this not the case? Lynda > > On Jun 20, 2008, at 1:00 PM, compost-request at mailman.cloudnet.com wrote: >> Today's Topics: >> >> 1. Does composting rid of chemicals in manure? (Will Brinton) >> >> From: Will Brinton >> Date: June 18, 2008 4:32:13 PM EDT >> To: Compost Discussion List >> Subject: [USCC] Does composting rid of chemicals in manure? >> Reply-To: Compost Discussion List >> >> >> Gary- >> >> did anyone reply to your concern? >> >> I just reviewed a research paper from the Institute of Hygiene and >> Public Health, Bonn, Germany. It concludes that many antibiotics in >> manure do survive in soil (after manure application) for up to 90 days, >> and are therefore "relatively stable". It is now well known that these >> could be uptaked by plants, and passed along the food chain. Others are >> reported to have degraded rapidly. Composting should be assumed to be >> similar to soil and possibly better (i.e.composting is not necessarily >> faster in biodegradation). >> >> Interestingly, in the EU annually about 15,000 tons of antibiotics are >> administered to humans and animals, the non-metabolized fraction of >> which will find its way via excretion into the environment (mostly >> biosolids and released wastewater, and of course manures). I am sure the >> quantities used are probably higher in the USA for animals, and I am not >> sure for humans. Your concern should be pursued until more information >> on composting is obtained. See also the early forerunner paper (before >> use of antibiotics got really intense): >> >> Vogtman, H.; W. Obrist, K. Hauser, H. P. P f i r t e r a n d F. >> Augstburger, 1978. Compost Science/Land Utilization. "Cornposting and >> Plant Growth: Use o f c h i c k e n M a n u r e c o n t a i n i n g a >> n t i b i o t i c s " >> Will Brinton >> >> Gary Bright wrote: >>> Today I was asked this question from a watch-dog agency in Michigan; >>> "How do you treat the 168 chemicals in the manure and the growth >>> hormones >>> and antibiotics" ? >>> >>> >>> >> -- >> Woods End Laboratories >> - Bioenergy & Biocompost Testing - >> Mt Vernon ME 04352 >> www.woodsend.org >> >> >> >> > > Lynda Brushett, Ph. D. > Cooperative Development Institute > 603-664-5838 > www.cdi.coop > > > > > _______________________________________ Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX. 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org From gevanylo at vt.edu Tue Jun 24 14:40:34 2008 From: gevanylo at vt.edu (Greg Evanylo) Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:40:34 -0400 Subject: [USCC] 15th Mid Atlantic Better Composting School Announcement Message-ID: <7.0.1.0.2.20080624153519.0248b858@vt.edu> Registration is now open for the 15th Mid Atlantic Better Composting School (formerly, Maryland Better Composting School), which will be held October 22-24, 2008 at the Ramada Inn in Hanover, MD and at composting facilities in the surrounding area. For more information, link to the website at: http://www.mawaterquality.org/themes/ma_compost_school.htm ge Greg Evanylo Professor and Extension Specialist Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences (0403) 426 Smyth Hall, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA 24061 Ph: 540-231-9739 Fax: 540-231-3075 Cell: 540-257-4647 gevanylo at vt.edu From alh54 at cornell.edu Wed Jun 25 11:11:59 2008 From: alh54 at cornell.edu (Allison L H Jack) Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:11:59 -0400 Subject: [USCC] antibiotics from livestock and compost Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20080625121130.01df9ec0@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> >Hi Edo and everyone, > >In every lab I've worked in, we don't autoclave antibiotics exactly >because they are heat instable. When we're making selective media, we >autoclave the media, then add filter sterilized antibiotic solutions. > >With respect to which other factors are involved in reducing antibiotics >during composting, please see some of the abstracts in my previous email. >Kakimoto found that degradation of amoxicillin was dependent on chemical >factors (i.e. ammonia, hydroxyl ion and pH). Dolliver et al. found that >while the presence of some antibiotics were over 90% reduced via >composting, reduction of other types of antibiotics was less (~75%). So >the effectiveness of compost at reducing the presence of antibiotics >depends on the type of antibiotic as well. > >So like I said before: "Most antibiotics are unstable under high >temperatures, so hot composting can help reduce their levels in livestock >manure before application to soil." Composting can help reduce the >presence of antibiotics, but is in no way to be considered a total >solution to this problem. From a policy standpoint, if you had a choice >between spreading raw manure and spreading composted manure on soil, >choosing the composted manure could lead to lower rates of antibiotic >resistance in soil bacteria. But there are still so many questions to be >answered. For example, what about the fate of endocrine disrupting >compounds in composting? > >The spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the environment is a >fascinating field of study and many microbiologists are currently working >in this field. Most of the work I'm aware of is on raw manure applied to >soil, not many people are looking at the composting process. I agree with >Edo that contacting a nearby university and connecting with a lab that >does this kind of work would be a great way to answer some of these >questions. But in my experience you will have a hard time finding someone >to do research for you for free :-). > >In my dream world, I'd love to see the USCC pro-actively provide seed >money for research in this area where commercial composters collaborate >with local universities to answer these questions that are so important to >the industry. I know that at Cornell there is a state funded program that >encourages the collaboration between industry and university scientists. >http://www.biotech.cornell.edu/index.cfm/page/cat.htm My dissertation >research is funded through this program in collaboration with RT >Solutions, a vermicomposting business in NY State. The USDA SBIR program >is a similar industry-university collaboration. What is needed to get >projects like this off the ground is small amounts of seed money. For >example, I got two $1,000 scholarships and a $10,000 grant from the >Organic Farming Research Foundation when I first started my PhD project. >This was enough for me to generate preliminary data that we could use to >apply for larger grants. A small seed money program at the USCC could >steer many graduate students down a research path that would be of great >help to the industry. Just my 2 cents. > >-Allison > >************************************************************************************** >Allison L H Jack >Graduate Student >Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology >http://pppmb.cals.cornell.edu >Cornell University >335 Plant Science >Ithaca, NY 14850 >607.273.5762 >************************************************************************************* > > >"...Advancing a productive and sustainable agriculture" >from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences mission statement ************************************************************************************** Allison L H Jack Graduate Student Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology http://pppmb.cals.cornell.edu Cornell University 335 Plant Science Ithaca, NY 14850 607.273.5762 ************************************************************************************* "...Advancing a productive and sustainable agriculture" from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences mission statement From marcher at mjaorganics.com Wed Jun 25 10:44:19 2008 From: marcher at mjaorganics.com (Mike Archer - MJA Organics LLC) Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:44:19 -0500 Subject: [USCC] does composting remove chemicals, etc? In-Reply-To: <000001c8d666$395e51b0$0301a8c0@Cedar> Message-ID: <54CA5B468E844204A2FA430AE3CA28D8@michael0cb8247> Ask your local municipality that is supplying biosolids for their analytical results. Better than wondering. If you are receiving biosolids for land application, ask for these before taking the product. Then compare the metals, pathogens, etc. against other products, and do not assume non-biosolids have a non-detect for any of these without test results. In other words, ask, review, and compare as you would for any good scientific investigation. Mike Archer MJA Organics 414.897.6368 www.mjaorganics.com -----Original Message----- From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of PJ Binder Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 8:53 PM To: 'Compost Discussion List' Subject: Re: [USCC] does composting remove chemicals, etc? Ok I see your point But with bio solids how do we know what is in it to start with and what it ends up turning into? PJ Binder Landscaping po box 454 Broomall, PA 19008 pj.binder at verizon.net -----Original Message----- From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of john cossham Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 2:14 PM To: Compost Discussion List Subject: Re: [USCC] does composting remove chemicals, etc? I may be accused of being pedantic, but EVERYTHING is made of 'chemicals' and therefore this thread is a bit meaningless to a chemist. Some chemicals are changed into others during composting, ie ammonia may be split into nitrogen and combine with O2 to make water vapour... and long-chain carbohydrates are degraded into sugars and fermented into carbon dioxide etc etc, so when talking about 'chemicals' can you be more specific please? Thanks! John 'the composter' Cossham, York, UK ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lynda Brushett" To: Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 8:10 PM Subject: [USCC] does composting remove chemicals, etc? > Gary and others, If the manure goes through a digester, I understand > chemicals and pathogen are destroyed in the process, meaning that solids > separated from the effluent are free of pathogens and chemicals and in > turn produce a clean compost. Is this not the case? Lynda > > On Jun 20, 2008, at 1:00 PM, compost-request at mailman.cloudnet.com wrote: >> Today's Topics: >> >> 1. Does composting rid of chemicals in manure? (Will Brinton) >> >> From: Will Brinton >> Date: June 18, 2008 4:32:13 PM EDT >> To: Compost Discussion List >> Subject: [USCC] Does composting rid of chemicals in manure? >> Reply-To: Compost Discussion List >> >> >> Gary- >> >> did anyone reply to your concern? >> >> I just reviewed a research paper from the Institute of Hygiene and >> Public Health, Bonn, Germany. It concludes that many antibiotics in >> manure do survive in soil (after manure application) for up to 90 days, >> and are therefore "relatively stable". It is now well known that these >> could be uptaked by plants, and passed along the food chain. Others are >> reported to have degraded rapidly. Composting should be assumed to be >> similar to soil and possibly better (i.e.composting is not necessarily >> faster in biodegradation). >> >> Interestingly, in the EU annually about 15,000 tons of antibiotics are >> administered to humans and animals, the non-metabolized fraction of >> which will find its way via excretion into the environment (mostly >> biosolids and released wastewater, and of course manures). I am sure the >> quantities used are probably higher in the USA for animals, and I am not >> sure for humans. Your concern should be pursued until more information >> on composting is obtained. See also the early forerunner paper (before >> use of antibiotics got really intense): >> >> Vogtman, H.; W. Obrist, K. Hauser, H. P. P f i r t e r a n d F. >> Augstburger, 1978. Compost Science/Land Utilization. "Cornposting and >> Plant Growth: Use o f c h i c k e n M a n u r e c o n t a i n i n g a >> n t i b i o t i c s " >> Will Brinton >> >> Gary Bright wrote: >>> Today I was asked this question from a watch-dog agency in Michigan; >>> "How do you treat the 168 chemicals in the manure and the growth >>> hormones >>> and antibiotics" ? >>> >>> >>> >> -- >> Woods End Laboratories >> - Bioenergy & Biocompost Testing - >> Mt Vernon ME 04352 >> www.woodsend.org >> >> >> >> > > Lynda Brushett, Ph. D. > Cooperative Development Institute > 603-664-5838 > www.cdi.coop > > > > > _______________________________________ Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX. 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org _______________________________________ Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX. 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org From Rufus.Chaney at ARS.USDA.GOV Wed Jun 25 11:21:44 2008 From: Rufus.Chaney at ARS.USDA.GOV (Chaney, Rufus) Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:21:44 -0400 Subject: [USCC] does composting remove chemicals, etc? In-Reply-To: <000001c8d666$395e51b0$0301a8c0@Cedar> Message-ID: Dear USCC: I believe some perspective is needed following some of the comments that have come from the original question about destruction of antibiotics during composting. It is clear that many antibiotics are readily biodegraded during either anaerobic digestion or composting of manure and biosolids. But not all are so rapidly biodegraded. Just as with herbicides and pesticides; some are easily biodegraded and others not. The unexpected residue of the herbicide clopyralid discovered several years ago required changes in registration so that it would not be used for home weed control and then contaminate home composts or yard-debris composts that are increasingly important to North American cities. Mr. McGowan reminded us of some of this, but then over-stated the reality of pathogen destruction by composting. Yes, there may be some antibiotic resistant microbes in livestock and human wastes, but these are human pathogens that are readily killed by the temperatures required for effective composting. Of course, not all composting is conducted to comply with the 503 requirements, but increasingly that has become the management goal for the composting industry which needs to show they have killed animal and plant pathogens by the combination of temperature and time. I wanted to remind us all again that toxic chemicals are present in all the plants we eat. Bruce Ames (of Ames test fame) has evaluated toxicity and mutagenicity of chemicals in foods and found that 99.98% of all pesticicds that are present in foods are the natural pesticides made in plants to prevent microbial infection or reduce insect feeding on the plant in nature. Residues of synthetic pesticides are miniscule in comparison. I note this information because some who communicate here seem to think that only industrial chemicals are dangerous. These natural chemicals include some which are complex enough that biodegradation is slower than for more metabolic compounds in plants. And others have made a big deal about possible residues of antibiotics from personal care products in biosolids and biosolids composts. They seem to forget that the highest exposure of humans to these chemicals is to the materials in the products as they use them in their homes. And the selection of antibiotic resistant microbes is much greater in the home where such materials are used than due to the low concentrations present in biosolids or manure. Similarly for other chemicals in personal care products. Just hoping to help us find a balanced perspective on these issues that fairly considers the value of composting and of compost products. Regards, Rufus Chaney Beltsville, MD -----Original Message----- From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of PJ Binder Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 9:53 PM To: 'Compost Discussion List' Subject: Re: [USCC] does composting remove chemicals, etc? Ok I see your point But with bio solids how do we know what is in it to start with and what it ends up turning into? PJ Binder Landscaping po box 454 Broomall, PA 19008 pj.binder at verizon.net -----Original Message----- From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of john cossham Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 2:14 PM To: Compost Discussion List Subject: Re: [USCC] does composting remove chemicals, etc? I may be accused of being pedantic, but EVERYTHING is made of 'chemicals' and therefore this thread is a bit meaningless to a chemist. Some chemicals are changed into others during composting, ie ammonia may be split into nitrogen and combine with O2 to make water vapour... and long-chain carbohydrates are degraded into sugars and fermented into carbon dioxide etc etc, so when talking about 'chemicals' can you be more specific please? Thanks! John 'the composter' Cossham, York, UK ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lynda Brushett" To: Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 8:10 PM Subject: [USCC] does composting remove chemicals, etc? > Gary and others, If the manure goes through a digester, I understand > chemicals and pathogen are destroyed in the process, meaning that solids > separated from the effluent are free of pathogens and chemicals and in > turn produce a clean compost. Is this not the case? Lynda > > On Jun 20, 2008, at 1:00 PM, compost-request at mailman.cloudnet.com wrote: >> Today's Topics: >> >> 1. Does composting rid of chemicals in manure? (Will Brinton) >> >> From: Will Brinton >> Date: June 18, 2008 4:32:13 PM EDT >> To: Compost Discussion List >> Subject: [USCC] Does composting rid of chemicals in manure? >> Reply-To: Compost Discussion List >> >> >> Gary- >> >> did anyone reply to your concern? >> >> I just reviewed a research paper from the Institute of Hygiene and >> Public Health, Bonn, Germany. It concludes that many antibiotics in >> manure do survive in soil (after manure application) for up to 90 days, >> and are therefore "relatively stable". It is now well known that these >> could be uptaked by plants, and passed along the food chain. Others are >> reported to have degraded rapidly. Composting should be assumed to be >> similar to soil and possibly better (i.e.composting is not necessarily >> faster in biodegradation). >> >> Interestingly, in the EU annually about 15,000 tons of antibiotics are >> administered to humans and animals, the non-metabolized fraction of >> which will find its way via excretion into the environment (mostly >> biosolids and released wastewater, and of course manures). I am sure the >> quantities used are probably higher in the USA for animals, and I am not >> sure for humans. Your concern should be pursued until more information >> on composting is obtained. See also the early forerunner paper (before >> use of antibiotics got really intense): >> >> Vogtman, H.; W. Obrist, K. Hauser, H. P. P f i r t e r a n d F. >> Augstburger, 1978. Compost Science/Land Utilization. "Cornposting and >> Plant Growth: Use o f c h i c k e n M a n u r e c o n t a i n i n g a >> n t i b i o t i c s " >> Will Brinton >> >> Gary Bright wrote: >>> Today I was asked this question from a watch-dog agency in Michigan; >>> "How do you treat the 168 chemicals in the manure and the growth >>> hormones >>> and antibiotics" ? >>> >>> >>> >> -- >> Woods End Laboratories >> - Bioenergy & Biocompost Testing - >> Mt Vernon ME 04352 >> www.woodsend.org >> >> >> >> > > Lynda Brushett, Ph. D. > Cooperative Development Institute > 603-664-5838 > www.cdi.coop > > > > > _______________________________________ Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX. 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org _______________________________________ Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX. 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org From johncossham at tiscali.co.uk Wed Jun 25 16:42:43 2008 From: johncossham at tiscali.co.uk (john cossham) Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:42:43 +0100 Subject: [USCC] does composting remove chemicals, etc? References: <000001c8d666$395e51b0$0301a8c0@Cedar> Message-ID: <007201c8d70c$66e2d420$0200a8c0@Johnsthingy> You could test the raw stuff and then test the composted material.... but re 'chemicals' being degraded and changed in the composting process, I remember from my degree that bacterialogical reduction in different sorts of Pasteurisation was dependent on the temperature AND time held at that temperature, so a certain level of bacterial reduction could be achieved by a lower temperature for a longer time, or a higher temperature for a shorter time. My guess (and it is only a hunch which could be investigated?) is that some man-made compounds, such as pharmaceuticals, would be degraded at different speeds at different temperatures. My hunch is that the longer the material sits at high temperatures, the greater the break-down of temperature-sensitive compounds. Hope that this adds to this interesting discussion, despite the lack of hard evidence! John Cossham johncossham at tiscali.co.uk ----- Original Message ----- From: "PJ Binder" To: "'Compost Discussion List'" Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 2:53 AM Subject: Re: [USCC] does composting remove chemicals, etc? Ok I see your point But with bio solids how do we know what is in it to start with and what it ends up turning into? PJ Binder Landscaping po box 454 Broomall, PA 19008 pj.binder at verizon.net -----Original Message----- From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of john cossham Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 2:14 PM To: Compost Discussion List Subject: Re: [USCC] does composting remove chemicals, etc? I may be accused of being pedantic, but EVERYTHING is made of 'chemicals' and therefore this thread is a bit meaningless to a chemist. Some chemicals are changed into others during composting, ie ammonia may be split into nitrogen and combine with O2 to make water vapour... and long-chain carbohydrates are degraded into sugars and fermented into carbon dioxide etc etc, so when talking about 'chemicals' can you be more specific please? Thanks! John 'the composter' Cossham, York, UK ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lynda Brushett" To: Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 8:10 PM Subject: [USCC] does composting remove chemicals, etc? > Gary and others, If the manure goes through a digester, I understand > chemicals and pathogen are destroyed in the process, meaning that solids > separated from the effluent are free of pathogens and chemicals and in > turn produce a clean compost. Is this not the case? Lynda > > On Jun 20, 2008, at 1:00 PM, compost-request at mailman.cloudnet.com wrote: >> Today's Topics: >> >> 1. Does composting rid of chemicals in manure? (Will Brinton) >> >> From: Will Brinton >> Date: June 18, 2008 4:32:13 PM EDT >> To: Compost Discussion List >> Subject: [USCC] Does composting rid of chemicals in manure? >> Reply-To: Compost Discussion List >> >> >> Gary- >> >> did anyone reply to your concern? >> >> I just reviewed a research paper from the Institute of Hygiene and >> Public Health, Bonn, Germany. It concludes that many antibiotics in >> manure do survive in soil (after manure application) for up to 90 days, >> and are therefore "relatively stable". It is now well known that these >> could be uptaked by plants, and passed along the food chain. Others are >> reported to have degraded rapidly. Composting should be assumed to be >> similar to soil and possibly better (i.e.composting is not necessarily >> faster in biodegradation). >> >> Interestingly, in the EU annually about 15,000 tons of antibiotics are >> administered to humans and animals, the non-metabolized fraction of >> which will find its way via excretion into the environment (mostly >> biosolids and released wastewater, and of course manures). I am sure the >> quantities used are probably higher in the USA for animals, and I am not >> sure for humans. Your concern should be pursued until more information >> on composting is obtained. See also the early forerunner paper (before >> use of antibiotics got really intense): >> >> Vogtman, H.; W. Obrist, K. Hauser, H. P. P f i r t e r a n d F. >> Augstburger, 1978. Compost Science/Land Utilization. "Cornposting and >> Plant Growth: Use o f c h i c k e n M a n u r e c o n t a i n i n g a >> n t i b i o t i c s " >> Will Brinton >> >> Gary Bright wrote: >>> Today I was asked this question from a watch-dog agency in Michigan; >>> "How do you treat the 168 chemicals in the manure and the growth >>> hormones >>> and antibiotics" ? >>> >>> >>> >> -- >> Woods End Laboratories >> - Bioenergy & Biocompost Testing - >> Mt Vernon ME 04352 >> www.woodsend.org >> >> >> >> > > Lynda Brushett, Ph. D. > Cooperative Development Institute > 603-664-5838 > www.cdi.coop > > > > > _______________________________________ Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX. 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org From eric at bouldercompost.com Fri Jun 27 20:44:21 2008 From: eric at bouldercompost.com (Eric Simenson) Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:44:21 -0600 Subject: [USCC] Calculating Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Composting Message-ID: <48659775.2000900@bouldercompost.com> Does anyone have an equation to calculate how much carbon dioxide is released during composting? I realize it depends on many factors, so ballpark numbers are just fine. Thanks everyone, Eric Simenson Boulder Compost Co. 720-837-3286 www.bouldercompost.com From cary at compostingcouncil.org Mon Jun 30 10:37:57 2008 From: cary at compostingcouncil.org (Cary Oshins) Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:37:57 -0400 Subject: [USCC] Calculating Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Composting In-Reply-To: <48659775.2000900@bouldercompost.com> References: <48659775.2000900@bouldercompost.com> Message-ID: <005701c8dac7$45983850$d0c8a8f0$@org> Eric, if the reason for your question stems from concerns over climate change and your carbon footprint, you have to understand that the CO2 released during composting has two sources--the decomposition of the compostable material and the equipment used to move and process the material. The CO2 from decomposition is part of the "short-term carbon cycle", that is, it was captured from the air during photosynthesis and goes back into the air during decomposition, so does not "count" from a carbon footprint perspective. However, the diesel fuel and other energy used and exhausts emitted do count, and will completely depend on the equipment you use and the scale of operation, so any ball park estimate would be meaningless. There will be several new factsheets on composting and global warming on our new website, due to launch in the very near future. Watch for it! Take care, Cary ____________________________________ Cary Oshins Assistant Director of Programs US Composting Council 1010 North 13th St. Allentown, PA 18102 phone: 484-547-1521 fax: 484-274-6779 cary at compostingcouncil.org USCC Main Office: 1 Comac Loop, Suite 14B1 Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 phone: 631-737-4931 fax: 631-737-4939 ? Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show, January 26-29, 2009 at the Westin Galleria, Houston, TX Register at www.compostingcouncil.org Help support your industry. Become a member today!!! -----Original Message----- From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Eric Simenson Sent: Friday, June 27, 2008 9:44 PM To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com Subject: [USCC] Calculating Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Composting Does anyone have an equation to calculate how much carbon dioxide is released during composting? I realize it depends on many factors, so ballpark numbers are just fine. Thanks everyone, Eric Simenson Boulder Compost Co. 720-837-3286 www.bouldercompost.com _______________________________________ Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX. 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org From John.Kelly at casella.com Mon Jun 30 14:19:51 2008 From: John.Kelly at casella.com (John P Kelly) Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:19:51 -0400 Subject: [USCC] Tire chips In-Reply-To: <484834B2.3070503@compostlab.com> Message-ID: Composters: I am interested in hearing from composters who have experience with tire chips as an alternative bulking agent. John Kelly New England Organics Director of Product Sales 135 Presumpscot Street, Unit 1 Portland, ME 04103 1-877-4-COMPOST 207-347-3605 207-781-5794 fax 207-650-5010 cell www.earthlifegrows.com -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: C2477127.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 51314 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://mailman.cloudnet.com/pipermail/compost/attachments/20080630/96f0ac21/C2477127-0001.jpg From David.Goldstein at ventura.org Mon Jun 30 14:59:23 2008 From: David.Goldstein at ventura.org (David Goldstein) Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:59:23 -0700 Subject: [USCC] Calculating Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Composting In-Reply-To: <48659775.2000900@bouldercompost.com> References: <48659775.2000900@bouldercompost.com> Message-ID: <4868D8AB.BDA4.0045.0@ventura.org> https://www.jgpress.com/wc08/m05.pdf , from the EPA's WARM model (April, 2008), says, "Centralized composting results in net greenhouse gas storage of 0.05 MTCE/wet ton of organic inputs composted and applied to agricultural soils." david.goldstein at ventura.org Ventura County PWA, W&S, IWMD 800 S. Victoria Ave. #1650 Ventura, CA 93009-1650 805/658-4312 www.wasteless.org >>> "Eric Simenson" 06/27/2008 6:44 PM >>> Does anyone have an equation to calculate how much carbon dioxide is released during composting? I realize it depends on many factors, so ballpark numbers are just fine. Thanks everyone, Eric Simenson Boulder Compost Co. 720-837-3286 www.bouldercompost.com _______________________________________ Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX. 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 compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org From wfbr17 at woodsend.org Mon Jun 30 22:25:36 2008 From: wfbr17 at woodsend.org (Will Brinton) Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:25:36 -0400 Subject: [USCC] Compost Carbon emissions In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <4869A3B0.9030001@woodsend.org> Hi Eric I believe we talked briefly about this at the Rocky Mountain Compost School, and it should be more prominent course work for next year's school. Basically, carbon lost (volatized) in composting equates to (biogenic) CO2 to the air, with some corrections and adjustments. I would estimate 30 - 80% of organic matter is volatized solids, roughly half of that being carbon, which then corrected [(C x 3.66) = CO2], means - and you can check my speedy math - it looks like a ton of compost essentially makes a ton of CO2. [ 75% OM x 75 % degradation x 50% C x 3.66 ] Composting in this sense is an effective and relatively rapid way of converting oxygen into CO2. Will Brinton Woods End Labs >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >Today's Topics: > > 1. Calculating Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Composting > (Eric Simenson) > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: > [USCC] Calculating Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Composting > From: > Eric Simenson > Date: > Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:44:21 -0600 > To: > compost at mailman.cloudnet.com > > To: > compost at mailman.cloudnet.com > > > Does anyone have an equation to calculate how much carbon dioxide is > released during composting? I realize it depends on many factors, so > ballpark numbers are just fine. > > Thanks everyone, > Eric Simenson > > Boulder Compost Co. > 720-837-3286 > www.bouldercompost.com > -- William F Brinton Ph.D Woods End Laboratories, Inc. Mt Vernon MAINE USA 04352 +001 207 293 2457