From alexassoc at earthlink.net  Tue Sep  2 14:32:40 2008
From: alexassoc at earthlink.net (alexassoc@earthlink.net)
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2008 15:32:40 -0400
Subject: [USCC] STA & TMECC
Message-ID: <000c01c90d32$a9d9f810$fd8de830$@net>

Hello Compost World,

The US Composting Council is seeking your assistance. 

1. It is trying to identify where Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) registered
composts are being specified, and by who. 
2. And, they are also trying to identify where (and by who) the TMECC test
methods are being required to analyze compost products.   

We would appreciate any input you could provide on this issue. Please e-mail
me any input at : alexassoc at earthlink.net

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 dan at resourcetrends.com  Wed Sep  3 17:55:03 2008
From: dan at resourcetrends.com (Dan Noble)
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 15:55:03 -0700
Subject: [USCC] STA & TMECC
References: <000c01c90d32$a9d9f810$fd8de830$@net>
Message-ID: <049501c90e18$19fdd7c0$6401a8c0@DanNoble>

Ron,
You already know about the Caltrans specs, of course... and now Caltrans #3 
is looking to move those into adoption by local jurisdictions.  As we learn 
about them, we will endeavor to keep you abreast of them, too.  Are you 
aware of the EC issue that we are not having to address, (see attached 
notes)??
Sincerely,
Dan




  "We Build Healthy Soil"



Dan Noble, Executive Director

7860 Alida St., La Mesa, CA 91942

Bus:  (619) 303-3694

Cell:  (619) 992-8389
Fax:  (619) 589-9905

Skype: dan.noble

dan at resourcetrends.com

www.healthysoil.org





----- Original Message ----- 
From: <alexassoc at earthlink.net>
To: "'Compost Discussion List'" <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 12:32 PM
Subject: [USCC] STA & TMECC


> Hello Compost World,
>
> The US Composting Council is seeking your assistance.
>
> 1. It is trying to identify where Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) 
> registered
> composts are being specified, and by who.
> 2. And, they are also trying to identify where (and by who) the TMECC test
> methods are being required to analyze compost products.
>
> We would appreciate any input you could provide on this issue. Please 
> e-mail
> me any input at : alexassoc at earthlink.net
>
> 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
>
> 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 3609 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://mailman.cloudnet.com/pipermail/compost/attachments/20080903/a287c341/attachment-0001.jpe
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Salt Issue Outline & Parties 082608.doc
Type: application/msword
Size: 36352 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://mailman.cloudnet.com/pipermail/compost/attachments/20080903/a287c341/SaltIssueOutlineParties082608-0001.doc

From JackH at rexius.com  Wed Sep  3 16:51:42 2008
From: JackH at rexius.com (Jack Hoeck)
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 14:51:42 -0700
Subject: [USCC] STA & TMECC
Message-ID: <82282F9A43724E478EDB794CD38BB0960B8141@rexius-exch.corp.rexius.com>

Ron
Washington DOT is requiring both.

Jack Hoeck
VP Environmental Services
Rexius
1275 Bailey Hill Rd.
Eugene, OR 97402
1-541-342-1835
1-888-473-9487
jackh at rexius.com

Sustainable Solutions for Landscape, Community and the Environment
 

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of
alexassoc at earthlink.net
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 12:33 PM
To: 'Compost Discussion List'
Subject: [USCC] STA & TMECC

Hello Compost World,

The US Composting Council is seeking your assistance. 

1. It is trying to identify where Seal of Testing Assurance (STA)
registered
composts are being specified, and by who. 
2. And, they are also trying to identify where (and by who) the TMECC
test
methods are being required to analyze compost products.   

We would appreciate any input you could provide on this issue. Please
e-mail
me any input at : alexassoc at earthlink.net

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 Bcarney at agcenter.lsu.edu  Thu Sep  4 09:34:28 2008
From: Bcarney at agcenter.lsu.edu (Carney, Jr., William A.)
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 09:34:28 -0500
Subject: [USCC] Need Help
Message-ID: <F61E3917DADBD643B54112CFACACAFD026AB71A5B3@MAILBOXCLUSTER.agcenter.lsu>

Anyone with connections to grinders/chippers/composters in the Louisiana area are asked to contact:
Appreciate the help!

Please call me ASAP, 225-939-7307

John Rogers, CPM
Staff Environmental Scientist
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
Waste Permits Division
john.rogers at la.gov
225.219.3266
800.305.6621 (LA only)
225.325.8106 fax
Make every day your own America Recycles Day

PO Box 4313
Baton Rouge, LA 70802-4313



From KPowell at kdhe.state.ks.us  Wed Sep 10 13:55:49 2008
From: KPowell at kdhe.state.ks.us (KPowell@kdhe.state.ks.us)
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:55:49 -0500
Subject: [USCC] Applying Wood Chips To Soil
Message-ID: <OF5958164B.9057B1B7-ON862574C0.0061154C-862574C0.0067FD31@kdhe.state.ks.us>



Good Afternoon Compost World,

This is not exactly a composting question, but more of an organics
question.  We have a smaller county in Kansas that has a large cabinet
manufacturing facility.  They have chosen not to landfill the kiln dried
scrap wood and would like to grind it to 3/4" or less and then use it as a
soil amendment for crop land.  Their idea is that this would over time
improve the tilth because of the organics that would be left as the wood
breaks down.  The soil in the area is a silty clay.  The questions are:

Has anyone been involved in such a project and what were the results?

How much additional nitrogen is needed per ton of wood added to the soil?

How much wood waste could be added per acre per year?



Ken Powell
Environmental Scientist
Kansas Department of Health & Environment
Bureau of Waste Management
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 320
Topeka, KS  66612-1366
Phone 785-296-1121, Fax 785-296-1592
e-mail:  kpowell at kdhe.state.ks.us
Web site:  www.kdheks.gov/waste

From public at wormdoctor.org  Wed Sep 10 16:59:55 2008
From: public at wormdoctor.org (Public)
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:59:55 -0700
Subject: [USCC] worms and global warming
In-Reply-To: <OF5958164B.9057B1B7-ON862574C0.0061154C-862574C0.0067FD31@kdhe.state.ks.us>
References: <OF5958164B.9057B1B7-ON862574C0.0061154C-862574C0.0067FD31@kdhe.state.ks.us>
Message-ID: <043e01c91390$8fa84dc0$d500a8c0@KarinDell>

An article in a UK paper claims that worms 'emit nitrous oxide - a
greenhouse gas 296 times more powerful, molecule for molecule, than carbon
dioxide.'

I hope someone much more knowledgeable than I will comment.  I hate to hear
anything bad about worms.

Karin Grobe
Organic Recyclers Anonymous

Full article:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2007/07/06/eaworm106.
xml

By Charles Clover, Environment Editor
Last Updated: 6:01pm BST 06/07/2007


Worms may not be as environmentally friendly as the growing number of
gardeners who use them to help compost their kitchen scraps and grass
clippings believe, say scientists.

In fact, the greenhouse gases emitted by a large commercial worm composting
plant may be comparable to the global warming potential of a landfill site
of the same scale, according to the Open University.

This is because worms used in composting emit nitrous oxide - a greenhouse
gas 296 times more powerful, molecule for molecule, than carbon dioxide.




From d.pascoe at sympatico.ca  Wed Sep 10 20:11:22 2008
From: d.pascoe at sympatico.ca (Donna Pascoe and Peter Turrell)
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:11:22 -0400
Subject: [USCC] Applying Wood Chips To Soil
References: <OF5958164B.9057B1B7-ON862574C0.0061154C-862574C0.0067FD31@kdhe.state.ks.us>
Message-ID: <BLU0-SMTP18633D24D1D65C845B5722F0560@phx.gbl>

Ken, I think you need to first identify the woods used as many contain
turpines and oils that may effect water quality and or crop production. I
think you will find 3/4" to be a slow decomposition. The finer the faster. I
have mixed wood waste with farm manure for years with no problems as long as
you first deal with the wood identification.
Regards Peter Turrell
Director Millennium Institution
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <KPowell at kdhe.state.ks.us>
To: <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 14:55
Subject: [USCC] Applying Wood Chips To Soil


>
>
> Good Afternoon Compost World,
>
> This is not exactly a composting question, but more of an organics
> question.  We have a smaller county in Kansas that has a large cabinet
> manufacturing facility.  They have chosen not to landfill the kiln dried
> scrap wood and would like to grind it to 3/4" or less and then use it as a
> soil amendment for crop land.  Their idea is that this would over time
> improve the tilth because of the organics that would be left as the wood
> breaks down.  The soil in the area is a silty clay.  The questions are:
>
> Has anyone been involved in such a project and what were the results?
>
> How much additional nitrogen is needed per ton of wood added to the soil?
>
> How much wood waste could be added per acre per year?
>
>
>
> Ken Powell
> Environmental Scientist
> Kansas Department of Health & Environment
> Bureau of Waste Management
> 1000 SW Jackson, Suite 320
> Topeka, KS  66612-1366
> Phone 785-296-1121, Fax 785-296-1592
> e-mail:  kpowell at kdhe.state.ks.us
> Web site:  www.kdheks.gov/waste
> _______________________________________
> 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 Brian.Rosa at ncmail.net  Thu Sep 11 09:16:32 2008
From: Brian.Rosa at ncmail.net (Brian Rosa)
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:16:32 -0400
Subject: [USCC] worms and global warming
Message-ID: <8D15541F2E16C84B8BE05C60FF5F038901743F04@exchange.sys.p2pays.org>

This article has been going around for a while now. I too was concerned
when I first heard about and read the report. I quickly asked for input
from Ohio State University, Norman Aracon, Vermiculture researcher and a
few other vermi specialist's. See below responses:

Brian Rosa, Organic Recycling Specialist
NC DENR, DPPEA
1639 MailService Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1639
919-715-6524 work
810-252-8303 cell
brian.rosa at ncmail.net
Web: www.p2pays.org/compost
 

Hi Brian,

Thanks for your e-mail and glad to see you at the conference and bearing
with my singing.

Sorry for not responding earlier - been buried with paper work lately.

The news you sent about earthworms producing harmful quantities of N20
(and other gases) has created a wave of news all over the cyber space
and has created at least a scare for some people who are raising
earthworms.

I went ahead and researched this topic and got hold of Jim
Frederickson's publications which were the main source of the claim that
earthworms produce harmful greenhouse gases. The good news is that,
after reviewing one of his papers, the research protocol that he
employed, especially setting up the vermicomposting pile, was flawed -
which could explain greenhouses gases oozing out from it. 

Clive and I are preparing an article to refute this claim and I would
gladly send you this once it is ready for distribution.

If they do produce gases, then your assumption  that vermicomposting
operations, if put together, is not big enough size to produce
significant quantities of gases. 

I sure would like to get back with you on this issue after I do research
on the topic.

Best regards,

Norman
Brian,
 
You are correct in that all the vermicomposters in the US don't equal
1/10 of 1% of a single average landfill in terms of volume.  I don't
think this is the angle to stress however.  We need more data than one
point.
 
More importantly, is that if this is the paper from the author I have,
it is a misquote (Norman check me here).  I have one from Fredrick, and
it is vermicomposting in a soil environment not raised beds.
Vermicomposting guts are anaerobic so some no2 is to be expected - I
would like to know the matrix raised in - gas could be captured. 
 
Tom

From: Allison L H Jack <alh54 at cornell.edu>
Subject: Re: Fwd: FW: worm composting harmful

Yep, saw both studies several years ago...so strange that it's coming
out in the media now. 

These were outdoor worm beds in England built right on the soil with no
airflow underneath and fed a high moisture content potato waste liquid
slurry. I imagine the moisture was very high, which would increase
denitrification rates. Not to say this isn't a serious finding, I'd just
like to see some more data before the headline "Worms are killing the
planet" is bandied about. I think this is irresponsible journalism and a
scientist who is trying to increase the newsworthiness of his study by
taking an alarmist angle. Would love to get some NO flux data for Tom's
well managed system. 

Here's what I wrote to Rhonda Sherman (NC State):

************************************************************************
**************************

The initial Frederickson study came out in 2003 from the Worm Centre and
the Open University in the UK. Then it came out in a peer reviewed
journal in 2004. I've sent this paper to tons of VC people, I think I
was carrying it around with me in Las Vegas. I swear I gave you a copy,
but maybe I didn't. It's hugely important for vermicomposters to know.
The facility used in the study was outdoors in England (so a very wet
climate). I would love to see numbers for VC operations with better
moisture management because denitrifying rates due to bacterial activity
are entirely dependent on an anaerobic environment. So in this study
it's impossible to know how much of the nitrous oxides produced were
from the gut microbiota or from bacteria in waterlogged vermicompost. I
think in the future this industry will be forced to go indoors in
facilities similar to Tom's, because there potentially will be
regulations on N emissions, which could be managed with biofilters etc.
if it's being done in an enclosed space. 

Before people go making sweeping statements about climate change, I
would love to see more detailed studies like this one:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/studies/pdf/climate_change.pdf 

This report takes a systems approach and looks at the greenhouse gas
emissions, but also the greenhouse gas mitigations (replacement for
peat, synthetic fertilizer etc.) and long term carbon sequestration in
soils. In the overall analysis, windrow composting is carbon neutral in
this specific case. I wish there would be a media spotlight shone on the
fertilizer industry. Synthetic nitrogen production starts with natural
gas, and uses more natural gas to make fertilizer, meanwhile producing
more nitrous oxides than any other industrial source. So we have to keep
our focus on the whole picture and take into account all of the
alternatives (synthetic fertilizer, manure lagoons, dead zone in the
gulf of Mexico due to mismanaged manure etc.) before making a final
judgement. I consider this alarmist reporting, taking preliminary
results from a test facility and trying to make these kinds of ties to
policy relevance, I think they are trying to boost the newsworthiness of
a small, but important study. 

************************************************************************
***************

Thanks for passing this one along!

Take care,
Allison

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Public
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:00 PM
To: 'Compost Discussion List'
Subject: [USCC] worms and global warming

An article in a UK paper claims that worms 'emit nitrous oxide - a
greenhouse gas 296 times more powerful, molecule for molecule, than
carbon dioxide.'

I hope someone much more knowledgeable than I will comment.  I hate to
hear anything bad about worms.

Karin Grobe
Organic Recyclers Anonymous

Full article:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2007/07/06/eaworm
106.
xml

By Charles Clover, Environment Editor
Last Updated: 6:01pm BST 06/07/2007


Worms may not be as environmentally friendly as the growing number of
gardeners who use them to help compost their kitchen scraps and grass
clippings believe, say scientists.

In fact, the greenhouse gases emitted by a large commercial worm
composting plant may be comparable to the global warming potential of a
landfill site of the same scale, according to the Open University.

This is because worms used in composting emit nitrous oxide - a
greenhouse gas 296 times more powerful, molecule for molecule, than
carbon dioxide.



_______________________________________
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
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/pipermail/compost/attachments/20080911/29f85211/NO2articleresponses.htm

From johncossham at tiscali.co.uk  Thu Sep 11 14:40:36 2008
From: johncossham at tiscali.co.uk (John Cossham)
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:40:36 +0100
Subject: [USCC] Applying Wood Chips To Soil
References: <OF5958164B.9057B1B7-ON862574C0.0061154C-862574C0.0067FD31@kdhe.state.ks.us>
Message-ID: <006601c91446$443a56b0$0200a8c0@johnslaptop>

Hello Ken, my take on this is that the wood chips would be better composted 
along with some nitrogenous materials (lawn clippings, manures, food waste 
etc) before addition to soil.  If you put the woodchips AND nirogenous 
materials (surely you weren't thinking of agricultural fertiliser?) in the 
soil, the nitrogenous materials may be used by plants or leach out fairly 
quickly before the wood rots down much, leaving woodchips which may rob the 
soil of further available nitrogen.

If you compost the woodchips first, this will make an excellent soil 
amendment and should be a balanced slow-release fertiliser so avoiding use 
of agricultural fertiliser, which as we know, is made from petrochemicals 
and therefore if we don't have to use it, we shouldn't!

However, the woodchips could be used for something else... I am a fan of 
woodstoves and biomass heaters and therefore I know that, in the UK at 
least, there is a growing market for wood to burn to make heat/power, 
replacing gas central heating, coal fires or oil burning appliances.  Good 
luck finding an appropriate use for this material!
John, York UK
johncossham at tiscali.co.uk
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <KPowell at kdhe.state.ks.us>
To: <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 7:55 PM
Subject: [USCC] Applying Wood Chips To Soil




Good Afternoon Compost World,

This is not exactly a composting question, but more of an organics
question.  We have a smaller county in Kansas that has a large cabinet
manufacturing facility.  They have chosen not to landfill the kiln dried
scrap wood and would like to grind it to 3/4" or less and then use it as a
soil amendment for crop land.  Their idea is that this would over time
improve the tilth because of the organics that would be left as the wood
breaks down.  The soil in the area is a silty clay.  The questions are:

Has anyone been involved in such a project and what were the results?

How much additional nitrogen is needed per ton of wood added to the soil?

How much wood waste could be added per acre per year?



Ken Powell
Environmental Scientist
Kansas Department of Health & Environment
Bureau of Waste Management
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 320
Topeka, KS  66612-1366
Phone 785-296-1121, Fax 785-296-1592
e-mail:  kpowell at kdhe.state.ks.us
Web site:  www.kdheks.gov/waste


From LewisDV at mda.state.md.us  Fri Sep 12 08:38:19 2008
From: LewisDV at mda.state.md.us (Donald Lewis)
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:38:19 -0400
Subject: [USCC] Applying Wood Chips To Soil
In-Reply-To: <OF5958164B.9057B1B7-ON862574C0.0061154C-862574C0.0067FD31@kdhe.state.ks.us>
References: <OF5958164B.9057B1B7-ON862574C0.0061154C-862574C0.0067FD31@kdhe.state.ks.us>
Message-ID: <48CA388B.B618.00F1.0@mda.state.md.us>

Hi, all,
 
Maryland has a number of facilities that chip wood scrap or shredded hardwood bark for use as a mulch. This material turns a rich brown to black color rather quickly, and is prized for its use as a decorative mulch. The nitrogen problem hasn't ever been a problem, since the material is put around more or less established plants, which draw nutrients from soil below the zone in which the decomposition bacteria draw their nitrogen. However, we have found a consistent problem with companies as they begin to sell these products derived from their waste streams. Typically, the chips are piled in massive piles and left unturned until they are loaded onto a truck for delivery. Now, anyone who remembers their chemistry from as long ago as I do will quickly note that one process for making methanol is to let wood chips decompose anaerobically. This is why methanol used to be called "Wood alcohol". Every year it seems that there are one or two resellers that leave their piles unturned and then call us up wondering why their customers are complaining that the mulch killed their ornamentals. I remember particularly one case where a homeowner complained that the landscape contractor used his crew to spread mulch from wheelbarrows. Everywhere the wheelbarrows went, "Juice" dripped onto the lawn, and where it splashed the grass turned white and died. Turns out that Methanol is an excellent solvent for chlorophyl. 
 
I would strongly urge that any state beginning to allow this material to be distributed write regulations providing for frequent turning of piles so that they remain aerobic.
 
Don Lewis
Compost Coordinator
Maryland Department of Agriculture
State Chemist Section
50 Harry S. truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401
Ph. 410-841-2721
FAX 410-841-2740

>>> <KPowell at kdhe.state.ks.us> 9/10/2008 2:55 PM >>>


Good Afternoon Compost World,

This is not exactly a composting question, but more of an organics
question.  We have a smaller county in Kansas that has a large cabinet
manufacturing facility.  They have chosen not to landfill the kiln dried
scrap wood and would like to grind it to 3/4" or less and then use it as a
soil amendment for crop land.  Their idea is that this would over time
improve the tilth because of the organics that would be left as the wood
breaks down.  The soil in the area is a silty clay.  The questions are:

Has anyone been involved in such a project and what were the results?

How much additional nitrogen is needed per ton of wood added to the soil?

How much wood waste could be added per acre per year?



Ken Powell
Environmental Scientist
Kansas Department of Health & Environment
Bureau of Waste Management
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 320
Topeka, KS  66612-1366
Phone 785-296-1121, Fax 785-296-1592
e-mail:  kpowell at kdhe.state.ks.us 
Web site:  www.kdheks.gov/waste 
_______________________________________
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