From rwegner at lmi.net  Sun Mar  1 12:52:23 2009
From: rwegner at lmi.net (Russ Wegner)
Date: Sun, 1 Mar 2009 10:52:23 -0800
Subject: [USCC] Supermarket Study
Message-ID: <04B0E29D-19E3-420D-9323-EB2087BBCD0A@lmi.net>

Hope this helps.   JF Connolly and Massachusetts did quite a bit of  
work on this.

http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/reduce/smhandbk.pdf


Russ Wegner
rwegner at lmi.net

415-716-4373


From buckstop at vdot.net  Tue Mar  3 21:52:14 2009
From: buckstop at vdot.net (Stuart Buckner)
Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 22:52:14 -0500
Subject: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting
References: <000001c9971e$9a90e550$cfb2aff0$@energy@enermac.com>
	<5318D150483A4EDC82E213A00918B740@DanNoble>
Message-ID: <008201c99c7c$9b167db0$6701a8c0@A25BD8260D5F438>

Dan,

Cc's and attachments are not permitted on the USCC List Serve. To review the List Serve rules, go to http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
____________________________________
Stuart Buckner, Ph.D. |  Executive Director
US Composting Council | 1 Comac Loop, Suite 14B1 | Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
phone: 631-737-4931 | cell: 631-834-1400 | fax: 631-737-4939 | buckstop at vdot.net 


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Noble" <dan at resourcetrends.com>
To: "Sustainable Energy Holdings Ltd." <sustainable.energy at enermac.com>
Cc: "Bill Stewart" <billst at speedyquick.net>; "Compost Discussion List" <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>; <dmhill at aol.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 6:12 PM
Subject: Re: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting


> _______________________________________
> Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade Show, January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of Training Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting Facility. Conference Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor Information and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
> _____________________________________________________________________________
> Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
> _______________________________________
> This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
> (c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
> 
> Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or the Board of Directors.
> 
> Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm
> 
> Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
> 
> For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org
> 

From mlmeinicke at gmail.com  Tue Mar  3 19:51:11 2009
From: mlmeinicke at gmail.com (M. Lee Meinicke)
Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 20:51:11 -0500
Subject: [USCC] Antibiotics in meat after composting
Message-ID: <CF605F8A-0096-4FD1-9FAD-A34E6771BDE5@gmail.com>

I have done a quick literature search, and looked at the STA materials  
posted online, but cannot find an answer to a question recently posed  
to us here at Philly Compost (new venture!).

The question is:  if non-organically-raised meat scraps are composted  
according to the STA standards, will the antibiotics in the meats be  
broken down during the process?

Will appreciate any knowledge others may have on this topic.

Many thanks,
Lee Meinicke
www.PhillyCompost.com

From cscoker at verizon.net  Wed Mar  4 08:08:18 2009
From: cscoker at verizon.net (Craig Coker)
Date: Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:08:18 -0500
Subject: [USCC] Federal Environmental Procurement Preferences for Compost
Message-ID: <18D66DBBF7944F969F2ED9EF939FC0C4@LAPTOP>

Colleagues:

 

Does anyone know of a project by a Federal agency, a Federal contractor or a
State agency using Federal funds that purchased compost (or compost-based
soil) under either EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines program or
USDA's BioPreferred Program?

 

The CPG is a system where Federal agencies (also State and local agencies,
and contractors working with Federal funds) must preferentially purchase
products containing the highest percentage of recovered materials
practicable.  Procuring agencies are defined as: 1) any Federal agency; 2)
any state or local agencies using appropriated federal funds for a
procurement; or 3) any contractors with these agencies (with respect to work
performed under the contract). This would include composts made from
biosolids, manures, food waste and from yard wastes.

 

Under the USDA program, Federal agencies and contractors are required to
purchase USDA-designated biobased items unless they determine that products
are not reasonably available, fail to meet performance standards, or are
available at an unreasonable price.  A biobased material is an organic
material in which carbon is derived from a renewable resource via biological
processes. The one biobased item on the USDA list that pertains to compost
is "fertilizers" which must have a minimum 71% biobased content.  USDA
defines "fertilizers" as "products formulated or processed to provide
nutrients for plant growth and/or beneficial bacteria to convert nutrients
into plant usable forms.  Biobased fertilizers, which are likely to consist
mostly of biobased components, may include both biobased and chemical
components."

 

Thanks much for any leads you could offer on this.

 

Regards,

Craig

 

Craig Coker | Coker Composting & Consulting

1213 Spradlin Rd., Vinton, VA 24179

Tel.: (540) 890-1086, Fax: (540) 890-1087

Cell: (540) 874-5168, Email: cscoker at verizon.net

Web: www.cokercompost.com.

 

 This e-mail communication (including any attachments) may contain legally
privileged and confidential information intended solely for the use of the
intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, you should
immediately stop reading this message and delete it from your system. Any
unauthorized reading, distribution, copying or other use of this
communication (or its attachments) is strictly prohibited.

 


From epsteinee at comcast.net  Wed Mar  4 10:21:47 2009
From: epsteinee at comcast.net (Eliot Epstein)
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 11:21:47 -0500
Subject: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting
In-Reply-To: <008201c99c7c$9b167db0$6701a8c0@A25BD8260D5F438>
Message-ID: <001b01c99ce5$514092c0$d4f66c4c@D75H2DF1>

I would like to put this topic to rest. There is no such term as anaerobic
composting, The term to use is anaerobic digestion. During composting the
predominant gas produced is CO2 whereas under anaserobic digesion it is
methane. Methane is 21 time stronge as CO2. Furthermore the addition of
compost to the soil sequesters carbon. During anaerobic digestion the
methane should be captured. Furthermore the solids residues which may
contain higer concentration of undesired material must be composted or land
applied.

Eliot Epstein

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Stuart Buckner
Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:52 PM
To: Compost Discussion List
Subject: Re: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting


Dan,

Cc's and attachments are not permitted on the USCC List Serve. To review the
List Serve rules, go to http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
____________________________________
Stuart Buckner, Ph.D. |  Executive Director
US Composting Council | 1 Comac Loop, Suite 14B1 | Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
phone: 631-737-4931 | cell: 631-834-1400 | fax: 631-737-4939 |
buckstop at vdot.net 


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Noble" <dan at resourcetrends.com>
To: "Sustainable Energy Holdings Ltd." <sustainable.energy at enermac.com>
Cc: "Bill Stewart" <billst at speedyquick.net>; "Compost Discussion List"
<compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>; <dmhill at aol.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 6:12 PM
Subject: Re: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting


> _______________________________________
> Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade 
> Show, January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The 
> Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood
Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of
Training Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours
& "Live" Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting
Facility. Conference Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor
Information and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website
www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
____________________________________________________________________________
_
> Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
> _______________________________________
> This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
> (c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
> 
> Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the 
> Foundation, or the Board of Directors.
> 
> Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its 
> website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm
> 
> Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have 
> their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and 
> information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other 
> options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
> 
> For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, 
> send a message to the List Manager at 
> compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org
> 
_______________________________________
Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade Show,
January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The Largest
Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, &
Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of Training
Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live"
Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting Facility.
Conference Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor Information
and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website
www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
____________________________________________________________________________
_
Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
_______________________________________
This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved

Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or
the Board of Directors.

Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website
at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm

Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their
posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information
regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to:
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost

For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a
message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org


From edo_mcgowan at hotmail.com  Wed Mar  4 11:18:04 2009
From: edo_mcgowan at hotmail.com (Edo McGowan)
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 17:18:04 +0000
Subject: [USCC] Antibiotics in meat after composting
In-Reply-To: <CF605F8A-0096-4FD1-9FAD-A34E6771BDE5@gmail.com>
References: <CF605F8A-0096-4FD1-9FAD-A34E6771BDE5@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <BLU109-W11ACFFAF04632228C6A6FF80A70@phx.gbl>


The question discussed here is not new but it is highly complex. Nonetheless, here are some data on this and then some discussions that parallel the topic. It will be of interest to note that these materials may not break down totally. Thus the question remains, how effective is compost in these matters? In addition, there are robust genetic fragments of resistant pathogens that must be considered. Of further interest would be the added bulking materials such as sewage sludge and the impact from these materials on the final product. Thus unless one ran a series of tests and had a very consistent source of raw stock, the answer would be confounded by variations in source material. As noted below from Chitnis, if one were to use sewage sludge from a sewer plant with an up-stream large hospital, the loading of antibiotics and antibiotic resistant bacteria could be considerably different from that received from a smaller municipal source.

Thus one may also suppose that the loading would also vary amongst various types of meat animal products, their source, and handling and process train used. All this adds up to a need to test frequently and that testing in it self is an area with many issues.




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.





Hospital
effluent: A source of multiple 

drug-resistant
bacteria
V.
Chitnis, D.
Chitnis*
,?
,
S. Patil** and Ravi Kant*
*Department
of Pathology, Choithram Hospital and Research Centre, 

Manik
Bagh Road, Indore 452 001, India
**School
of Life Sciences, Devi Ahiyla University, Indore 452 001, 

India
The
present work was carried out to study the spread 

of
multiple drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria from hospi-
tal
effluent to the municipal sewage
system. The MDR 

bacteria
population in hospital effluents ranged from
0.58
to 40% for ten hospitals studied while it was less
than
0.00002 to 0.025% for 11 sewage
samples from
the
residential areas. Further, the MDR bacteria
carried
simultaneous resistance for most of the com-
monly
used antibiotics and obviously the spread of
such
MDR bacteria to the community is a matter of
grave
concern.



DEVELOPMENTof
drug resistance has followed the discovery
of antimicrobial agents like a faithful shadow.

Drug
resistance observed till 1954 was through solitary events
of bacterial chromosomal gene mutations. However, this is not the
case today where the majority is through lateral gene transfer, much
of that happening within sewage treatment plants


Title: 
> <http://apps.isiknowledge.com/full_record.do?product=WOS&search_mode=AdvancedSearch&qid=1&SID=2CGaJ3pGe6DN8BNlCfm&page=1&doc=2>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: 
> <http://apps.isiknowledge.com/full_record.do?product=WOS&colname=WOS&search_mode=CitingArticles&qid=10&SID=2CGaJ3pGe6DN8BNlCfm&page=1&doc=2>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: 
> <http://apps.isiknowledge.com/full_record.do?product=WOS&search_mode=AdvancedSearch&qid=14&SID=2CGaJ3pGe6DN8BNlCfm&page=1&doc=5>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: 
> <http://apps.isiknowledge.com/full_record.do?product=WOS&search_mode=AdvancedSearch&qid=14&SID=2CGaJ3pGe6DN8BNlCfm&page=1&doc=7>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.
 





> From: mlmeinicke at gmail.com
> To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 20:51:11 -0500
> Subject: [USCC] Antibiotics in meat after composting
> 
> I have done a quick literature search, and looked at the STA materials  
> posted online, but cannot find an answer to a question recently posed  
> to us here at Philly Compost (new venture!).
> 
> The question is:  if non-organically-raised meat scraps are composted  
> according to the STA standards, will the antibiotics in the meats be  
> broken down during the process?
> 
> Will appreciate any knowledge others may have on this topic.
> 
> Many thanks,
> Lee Meinicke
> www.PhillyCompost.com
> _______________________________________
> Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade Show, January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of Training Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting Facility. Conference Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor Information and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
> _____________________________________________________________________________
> Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
> _______________________________________
> This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
> (c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
> 
> Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or the Board of Directors.
> 
> Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm
> 
> Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
> 
> For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org

_________________________________________________________________
Reinvent how you stay in touch with the new Windows Live Messenger.
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9650731

From kpowell at kdheks.gov  Wed Mar  4 11:59:54 2009
From: kpowell at kdheks.gov (Ken Powell)
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 11:59:54 -0600
Subject: [USCC] Composting Oil Contaminated Soil
Message-ID: <4EBB566B08AAE84F979D5E093B69705006F8E942@HEWXCCLU.kdhe.state.ks.us>


Good Morning Compost World,
We have a city here that dumped over two 30 gallon barrels of new oil.  They now have about 4 yards of contaminated soil they would like to compost rather than pay for disposal.  Does anyone have a good mix ratio for the soil with yard waste?  I am guessing about 15% contaminated soil with 85% yard waste.  Then they need to maintain temperatures for at least 3 months.  Does this sound about right?
Thanks,
Ken Powell
Environmental Scientist
Kansas Department of Health & Environment
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 320
Topeka, KS  66618
Phone  785-296-1121  Fax  785-296-1592
email  kpowell at kdheks.gov<mailto:kpowell at kdheks.gov>
web  www.kdheks.gov/waste<http://www.kdheks.gov/waste>

Please note my new e-mail address is kpowell at kdheks.gov<mailto:kpowell at kdheks.gov>[cid:image002.gif at 01C99CC0.BA893D60]

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From alexassoc at earthlink.net  Wed Mar  4 13:12:37 2009
From: alexassoc at earthlink.net (Ron  Alexander)
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 14:12:37 -0500
Subject: [USCC] Antibiotics in meat after composting
In-Reply-To: <CF605F8A-0096-4FD1-9FAD-A34E6771BDE5@gmail.com>
References: <CF605F8A-0096-4FD1-9FAD-A34E6771BDE5@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <005401c99cfd$2efd4920$8cf7db60$@net>

Lee,
I don't know if any research has been done on this subject, but I assume
that the antibiotics would be degraded.
Ron
 


Ron Alexander
R. Alexander Associates, Inc.
1212 Eastham Drive
Apex, North Carolina 27502   - USA
919-367-8350 - office telephone
919-367-8351 - fax
919-349-0460 - mobile telephone
alexassoc at earthlink.net
www.alexassoc.net 



-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of M. Lee Meinicke
Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 8:51 PM
To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
Subject: [USCC] Antibiotics in meat after composting

I have done a quick literature search, and looked at the STA materials  
posted online, but cannot find an answer to a question recently posed  
to us here at Philly Compost (new venture!).

The question is:  if non-organically-raised meat scraps are composted  
according to the STA standards, will the antibiotics in the meats be  
broken down during the process?

Will appreciate any knowledge others may have on this topic.

Many thanks,
Lee Meinicke
www.PhillyCompost.com
_______________________________________
Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade Show,
January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The Largest
Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, &
Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of Training
Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live"
Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting Facility.
Conference Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor Information
and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website
www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
____________________________________________________________________________
_
Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
_______________________________________
This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved

Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or
the Board of Directors.

Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website
at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm

Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their
posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information
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For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a
message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org
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16:09:00


From cscoker at verizon.net  Mon Mar  9 11:29:05 2009
From: cscoker at verizon.net (Craig Coker)
Date: Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:29:05 -0400
Subject: [USCC] Composting Oil Contaminated Soil
Message-ID: <B4F1E0D3EB9C4AFEAE0653EF586D7E9E@LAPTOP>

Ken:

For optimum results, they should shoot for a Carbon:Nitrogen:Phosphorus
ratio of 120:10:2, with whatever amendments get them there.  I've had good
luck adding in poultry litter.

Craig

Craig Coker | Coker Composting & Consulting
1213 Spradlin Rd., Vinton, VA 24179
Tel.: (540) 890-1086, Fax: (540) 890-1087
Cell: (540) 874-5168, Email: cscoker at verizon.net
Web: www.cokercompost.com.
 
 This e-mail communication (including any attachments) may contain legally
privileged and confidential information intended solely for the use of the
intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, you should
immediately stop reading this message and delete it from your system. Any
unauthorized reading, distribution, copying or other use of this
communication (or its attachments) is strictly prohibited.



From jac at magicsoil.com  Mon Mar  9 12:15:30 2009
From: jac at magicsoil.com (John A. Crockett)
Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 13:15:30 -0400
Subject: [USCC] oxygen & composting
Message-ID: <200903091715.n29HFSaf019217@omr10.networksolutionsemail.com>

Do any of you have information on how much oxygen or aeration various
compost feedstocks require, during different stages of the composting
process?? Do any of you have information on how much pressure or vacuum is
required to move that air?

Do any of you have data on oxygen and/or CO2 levels and population of active
bacteria in the compost, different feedstocks, different number of days
since startup?

Do any of you have, or know of windrow cross section profile oxygen and/or
CO2 data? We did our first research in that area in 1996,13 years ago, and
published on our website back in 1998, over 15 years ago.

Working Together to Create a Sustainable Environment,
John A. Crockett, a.k.a. Dr. Mike Robe
Mother Nature's Farms
(845) 225-7763
http://www.magicsoil.com/
jac at magicsoil.com
? 
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From steved at ipa.net  Mon Mar  9 12:46:29 2009
From: steved at ipa.net (Steve Diver)
Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 13:46:29 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting
Message-ID: <9443459.1236620789232.JavaMail.root@mswamui-chipeau.atl.sa.earthlink.net>

Some of the EM Bokashi Composting and Bocashi Composting 
(sans EM) piles are covered and allowed to ferment under
anaerobic conditions, but these are geared to fermentative
anaerobic not putrefactive anaerobic.  They might 
fit the description of anaerobic compost. 

It results in a good quality organic soil amendment.

This is totally unrelated to anaerobic digestion 
or digestate.  The is also unrelated to EM Bokashi
food scrap buckets. 

In most situations, these methods will be used
by farmers rather than compost facilities.  

Steve Diver
Texas 




From gbrec at comcast.net  Mon Mar  9 17:47:33 2009
From: gbrec at comcast.net (Gary Bright)
Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 18:47:33 -0400
Subject: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting
In-Reply-To: <001b01c99ce5$514092c0$d4f66c4c@D75H2DF1>
Message-ID: <20090309224735.41B2DD3BD4E@mx1.cloudnet.com>

Dr. Epstein:
Your definition of "anaerobic composting" was wonderful.  I do have a
question on your last sentence........"Furthermore, the solids residues
which may contain higher concentration of undesired material must be
composted or land applied".....  That last sentence is refering to
what?  Biosolids????   Gary Bright

-----Original Message-----
From: Eliot Epstein [mailto:epsteinee at comcast.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 11:22 AM
To: 'Compost Discussion List'
Subject: Re: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting

I would like to put this topic to rest. There is no such term as anaerobic
composting, The term to use is anaerobic digestion. During composting the
predominant gas produced is CO2 whereas under anaserobic digesion it is
methane. Methane is 21 time stronge as CO2. Furthermore the addition of
compost to the soil sequesters carbon. During anaerobic digestion the
methane should be captured. Furthermore the solids residues which may
contain higer concentration of undesired material must be composted or land
applied.

Eliot Epstein

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Stuart Buckner
Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:52 PM
To: Compost Discussion List
Subject: Re: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting


Dan,

Cc's and attachments are not permitted on the USCC List Serve. To review the
List Serve rules, go to http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
____________________________________
Stuart Buckner, Ph.D. |  Executive Director
US Composting Council | 1 Comac Loop, Suite 14B1 | Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
phone: 631-737-4931 | cell: 631-834-1400 | fax: 631-737-4939 |
buckstop at vdot.net 


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Noble" <dan at resourcetrends.com>
To: "Sustainable Energy Holdings Ltd." <sustainable.energy at enermac.com>
Cc: "Bill Stewart" <billst at speedyquick.net>; "Compost Discussion List"
<compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>; <dmhill at aol.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 6:12 PM
Subject: Re: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting


> _______________________________________
> Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade 
> Show, January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The 
> Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood
Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of
Training Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours
& "Live" Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting
Facility. Conference Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor
Information and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website
www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
____________________________________________________________________________
_
> Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
> _______________________________________
> This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
> (c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
> 
> Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the 
> Foundation, or the Board of Directors.
> 
> Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its 
> website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm
> 
> Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have 
> their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and 
> information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other 
> options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
> 
> For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, 
> send a message to the List Manager at 
> compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org
> 
_______________________________________
Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade Show,
January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The Largest
Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, &
Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of Training
Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live"
Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting Facility.
Conference Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor Information
and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website
www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
____________________________________________________________________________
_
Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
_______________________________________
This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved

Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or
the Board of Directors.

Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website
at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm

Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their
posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information
regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to:
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost

For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a
message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org




From pat at crowleyconsultants.com  Mon Mar  9 23:21:30 2009
From: pat at crowleyconsultants.com (Patrick Crowley)
Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 22:21:30 -0600
Subject: [USCC] Composting Oil Contaminated Soil
In-Reply-To: <4EBB566B08AAE84F979D5E093B69705006F8E942@HEWXCCLU.kdhe.state.ks.us>
Message-ID: <7868BDB6888A4C89B1AB5AF4B2E1A6C9@Pats>

The ratio seems conservative, but make sure you have enough chips in the mix
for aeration.  Also make sure the moisture is right to keep the composters
happy.  Depending on the part of Kansas you are in, this might be a problem
and require additional moisture.  Just do the fist test, but wear a glove.

I have seen crude oil dirt/manure mixes at 50/50 that worked if they were
kept moist enough.  If they were too dry......

C+N+H2O = The magic triad.

A small problem easily solved.

Pat Crowley
Crowley Consultants LLC
1935 Lucky Strike Road
Helena, MT 59602
(406) 458-1935 phone and fax
(406) 439-9231 cell
pat at crowleyconsultants.com

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Ken Powell
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 11:00 AM
To: Composting Council (compost at mailman.cloudnet.com)
Subject: [USCC] Composting Oil Contaminated Soil


Good Morning Compost World,
We have a city here that dumped over two 30 gallon barrels of new oil.  They
now have about 4 yards of contaminated soil they would like to compost
rather than pay for disposal.  Does anyone have a good mix ratio for the
soil with yard waste?  I am guessing about 15% contaminated soil with 85%
yard waste.  Then they need to maintain temperatures for at least 3 months.
Does this sound about right?
Thanks,
Ken Powell
Environmental Scientist
Kansas Department of Health & Environment
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 320
Topeka, KS  66618
Phone  785-296-1121  Fax  785-296-1592
email  kpowell at kdheks.gov<mailto:kpowell at kdheks.gov>
web  www.kdheks.gov/waste<http://www.kdheks.gov/waste>

Please note my new e-mail address is
kpowell at kdheks.gov<mailto:kpowell at kdheks.gov>[cid:image002.gif at 01C99CC0.BA89
3D60]


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG. 
Version: 7.5.557 / Virus Database: 270.11.9/1991 - Release Date: 3/9/2009
7:14 AM

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Checked by AVG. 
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7:14 AM
 


From alexassoc at earthlink.net  Tue Mar 10 06:15:16 2009
From: alexassoc at earthlink.net (alexassoc@earthlink.net)
Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 07:15:16 -0400
Subject: [USCC] Palm Seeds
Message-ID: <000301c9a171$7d9baae0$78d300a0$@net>

Hello Compost World,

Has anyone out there had any success killing palm seeds through composting?

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 Rufus.Chaney at ars.usda.gov  Tue Mar 10 12:35:30 2009
From: Rufus.Chaney at ars.usda.gov (Chaney, Rufus)
Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:35:30 -0400
Subject: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting
In-Reply-To: <9443459.1236620789232.JavaMail.root@mswamui-chipeau.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
Message-ID: <AA859CCAF8F10A4B97993E2F1445964B030E1C18@MD-MAIL-02.ARSNET.ARS.USDA.GOV>

Dear USCC folks:

I can see some of the old experts on composting spinning in their graves
on these "anaerobic composting" claims. It is not correct to say
"anaerobic composting". As Eliot Epstein noted, composting is by
definition an aerobic thermophilic process. Not mesophilic like
anaerobic digestion at 35C. But 55C or above to kill pathogens and
obtain aerobic stabilization. Anaerobic digestion is a useful process to
generate methane and reduce mass of an unstable biomass. But it does not
attain the stability of aerobic processing. Recent trials of
thermophilic anaerobic digestion (to obtain pathogen kill and
stabilization) produced putrid end products which were not ready to go
to land. But thermophilic aerobic digestion gave a low odor product from
input sewage solids. Just no energy recovery historically used to power
pumps at POTWs. And their product is not ready for commercial
application; rather normal controlled land application of the wet or
dewatered product. Composting yields a semi-dry friable product ready to
mix in soils for many uses.

If you still think it appropriate to use "anaerobic composting", please
read some of the classic texts and official documents on composting and
present some rationale to justify the use. Don't just say that some
particular group use it for the commercial benefit of using the
"composting" name. That is simply cheating as sometimes occurs with
commercial interests.

Consider the STA seal of approval. It requires a showing that the
material actually composted at 55C or above to obtain the benefits of
composting, not some arbitrary claim of the submitter.

Regards,

Rufus Chaney
Beltsville, MD.

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Steve Diver
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 1:46 PM
To: Compost Discussion List
Subject: Re: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting

Some of the EM Bokashi Composting and Bocashi Composting 
(sans EM) piles are covered and allowed to ferment under
anaerobic conditions, but these are geared to fermentative
anaerobic not putrefactive anaerobic.  They might 
fit the description of anaerobic compost. 

It results in a good quality organic soil amendment.

This is totally unrelated to anaerobic digestion 
or digestate.  The is also unrelated to EM Bokashi
food scrap buckets. 

In most situations, these methods will be used
by farmers rather than compost facilities.  

Steve Diver
Texas 



_______________________________________
Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade
Show, January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The Largest
Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste,
& Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of
Training Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility
Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek
Composting Facility. Conference Highlights & Program, Registration
forms, Exhibitor Information and Sponsorship Opportunities available at
the USCC website www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at
631.737.4931
________________________________________________________________________
_____
Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
_______________________________________
This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights
reserved

Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the
Foundation, or the Board of Directors.

Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its
website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm

Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their
posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and
information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other
options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost

For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send
a message to the List Manager at
compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org


From epsteinee at comcast.net  Tue Mar 10 18:28:44 2009
From: epsteinee at comcast.net (epsteinee@comcast.net)
Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:28:44 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting
In-Reply-To: <20090309224735.41B2DD3BD4E@mx1.cloudnet.com>
Message-ID: <442982825.2454891236727724625.JavaMail.root@sz0060a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net>



Gary, 



My reference was to the residue of anaerobic digestion.? Essentially any residue produced by anaerobic digestion i.e biosolids or food waste could contain higer concentration of elements. However the higher concentraion may not be harmful. It depends on the initail concentration and the method of dewatering. 



Eliot? 

Eliot and Esther Epstein 
9071 Fairbanks Lane #1 
Boca Raton, FL 33496 
Tel: 561-852-2592 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary Bright" <gbrec at comcast.net> 
To: "Compost Discussion List" <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com> 
Sent: Monday, March 9, 2009 6:47:33 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting 

Dr. Epstein: 
Your definition of "anaerobic composting" was wonderful. ?I do have a 
question on your last sentence........"Furthermore, the solids residues 
which may contain higher concentration of undesired material must be 
composted or land applied"..... ?That last sentence is refering to 
what? ?Biosolids???? ? Gary Bright 

-----Original Message----- 
From: Eliot Epstein [mailto:epsteinee at comcast.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 11:22 AM 
To: 'Compost Discussion List' 
Subject: Re: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting 

I would like to put this topic to rest. There is no such term as anaerobic 
composting, The term to use is anaerobic digestion. During composting the 
predominant gas produced is CO2 whereas under anaserobic digesion it is 
methane. Methane is 21 time stronge as CO2. Furthermore the addition of 
compost to the soil sequesters carbon. During anaerobic digestion the 
methane should be captured. Furthermore the solids residues which may 
contain higer concentration of undesired material must be composted or land 
applied. 

Eliot Epstein 

-----Original Message----- 
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com 
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Stuart Buckner 
Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:52 PM 
To: Compost Discussion List 
Subject: Re: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting 


Dan, 

Cc's and attachments are not permitted on the USCC List Serve. To review the 
List Serve rules, go to http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost 
____________________________________ 
Stuart Buckner, Ph.D. | ?Executive Director 
US Composting Council | 1 Comac Loop, Suite 14B1 | Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 
phone: 631-737-4931 | cell: 631-834-1400 | fax: 631-737-4939 | 
buckstop at vdot.net 


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Noble" <dan at resourcetrends.com> 
To: "Sustainable Energy Holdings Ltd." <sustainable.energy at enermac.com> 
Cc: "Bill Stewart" <billst at speedyquick.net>; "Compost Discussion List" 
<compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>; <dmhill at aol.com> 
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 6:12 PM 
Subject: Re: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting 


> _______________________________________ 
> Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade 
> Show, January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The 
> Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood 
Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of 
Training Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours 
& "Live" Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting 
Facility. Conference Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor 
Information and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website 
www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931 
____________________________________________________________________________ 
_ 
> Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com 
> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost 
> _______________________________________ 
> This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC). 
> (c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved 
> 
> Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the 
> Foundation, or the Board of Directors. 
> 
> Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its 
> website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm 
> 
> Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have 
> their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and 
> information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other 
> options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost 
> 
> For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, 
> send a message to the List Manager at 
> compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org 
> 
_______________________________________ 
Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade Show, 
January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The Largest 
Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & 
Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of Training 
Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" 
Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting Facility. 
Conference Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor Information 
and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website 
www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931 
____________________________________________________________________________ 
_ 
Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com 
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost 
_______________________________________ 
This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC). 
(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved 

Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or 
the Board of Directors. 

Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website 
at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm 

Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their 
posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information 
regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to: 
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost 

For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a 
message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org 



_______________________________________ 
Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade Show, January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of Training Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting Facility. Conference Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor Information and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931 
_____________________________________________________________________________ 
Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com 
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost 
_______________________________________ 
This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC). 
(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved 

Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or the Board of Directors. 

Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm 

Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost 

For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org 

From epsteinee at comcast.net  Tue Mar 10 18:31:08 2009
From: epsteinee at comcast.net (epsteinee@comcast.net)
Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:31:08 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting
In-Reply-To: <9443459.1236620789232.JavaMail.root@mswamui-chipeau.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
Message-ID: <794692984.2456041236727868577.JavaMail.root@sz0060a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net>



No! No! No! 



By definition composting is an aerobic process. Decomposition can occur under anaerobic conditions but that is not composting. 



Eliot 

Eliot and Esther Epstein 
9071 Fairbanks Lane #1 
Boca Raton, FL 33496 
Tel: 561-852-2592 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Diver" <steved at ipa.net> 
To: "Compost Discussion List" <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com> 
Sent: Monday, March 9, 2009 1:46:29 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting 

Some of the EM Bokashi Composting and Bocashi Composting 
(sans EM) piles are covered and allowed to ferment under 
anaerobic conditions, but these are geared to fermentative 
anaerobic not putrefactive anaerobic. ?They might 
fit the description of anaerobic compost. 

It results in a good quality organic soil amendment. 

This is totally unrelated to anaerobic digestion 
or digestate. ?The is also unrelated to EM Bokashi 
food scrap buckets. 

In most situations, these methods will be used 
by farmers rather than compost facilities. ? 

Steve Diver 
Texas 



_______________________________________ 
Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade Show, January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of Training Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting Facility. Conference Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor Information and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931 
_____________________________________________________________________________ 
Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com 
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost 
_______________________________________ 
This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC). 
(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved 

Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or the Board of Directors. 

Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm 

Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost 

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From jac at magicsoil.com  Wed Mar 11 10:56:16 2009
From: jac at magicsoil.com (John A. Crockett)
Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:56:16 -0400
Subject: [USCC] aerobic composting, definitiion
Message-ID: <200903111556.n2BFuEhi028578@omr15.networksolutionsemail.com>

There is a lot of discussion on anaerobic and aerobic.

What is the specific definition of aerobic composting in terms of the oxygen
level in the compost?  Is it 5% oxygen, 10%, 15%?  What CO2 levels are still
acceptable under the definition of "aerobic"?  OR, is there no such
definition?

I strive for 1 - 2% CO2 in the off-gas, and I base that on assaying the
active bacteria population, and the fact that we've gotten our best
populations of active bacteria when the CO2 in the off-gas was less than 4%.

We've also had many cases where in the early days of the process, we've
sustained temperatures > 150?F with a rate of aeration > 25 times the volume
of the compost, in fresh air, every hour, in order to hold the CO2 within
those limits.  

Working Together to Create a Sustainable Environment,
John A. Crockett, a.k.a. Dr. Mike Robe
Mother Nature's Farms
(845) 225-7763
http://www.magicsoil.com/
jac at magicsoil.com
? 


From epsteinee at comcast.net  Thu Mar 12 10:29:25 2009
From: epsteinee at comcast.net (Eliot Epstein)
Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:29:25 -0400
Subject: [USCC] aerobic composting, definitiion
In-Reply-To: <200903111556.n2BFuEhi028578@omr15.networksolutionsemail.com>
Message-ID: <000e01c9a327$53cac720$d4f66c4c@D75H2DF1>

Based on our studies since 1975 we found that if the oxygen levels in piles
are below 5% we can have anaerobic conditions. This does not mean that the
entire pile or windrow is anaerobic. According to data by USEPA and others
under those conditions the small amount of methane that could be generated
is oxidized befor going into the atmosphere. I believe that pile oxygen
leves should exceed 10%.  Obviously if temperatures are excessive addition
air is needed and consequently oxygen levels will be higher.

Eliot

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of John A. Crockett
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 11:56 AM
To: U.S. Composting Council listserve
Subject: [USCC] aerobic composting, definitiion


There is a lot of discussion on anaerobic and aerobic.

What is the specific definition of aerobic composting in terms of the oxygen
level in the compost?  Is it 5% oxygen, 10%, 15%?  What CO2 levels are still
acceptable under the definition of "aerobic"?  OR, is there no such
definition?

I strive for 1 - 2% CO2 in the off-gas, and I base that on assaying the
active bacteria population, and the fact that we've gotten our best
populations of active bacteria when the CO2 in the off-gas was less than 4%.

We've also had many cases where in the early days of the process, we've
sustained temperatures > 150?F with a rate of aeration > 25 times the volume
of the compost, in fresh air, every hour, in order to hold the CO2 within
those limits.  

Working Together to Create a Sustainable Environment,
John A. Crockett, a.k.a. Dr. Mike Robe
Mother Nature's Farms
(845) 225-7763
http://www.magicsoil.com/
jac at magicsoil.com
? 

_______________________________________
Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade Show,
January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The Largest
Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, &
Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of Training
Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live"
Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting Facility.
Conference Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor Information
and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website
www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
____________________________________________________________________________
_
Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
_______________________________________
This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved

Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or
the Board of Directors.

Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website
at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm

Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their
posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information
regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to:
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost

For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a
message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org


From rhonda_sherman at ncsu.edu  Thu Mar 12 12:29:55 2009
From: rhonda_sherman at ncsu.edu (Rhonda Sherman)
Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:29:55 -0400
Subject: [USCC] NCSU's 9th Annual Vermiculture Conference
Message-ID: <49B94693.6050705@ncsu.edu>

NCSU?s 9th Annual Vermiculture Conference will be held on June 4-5 in 
Durham, North Carolina. Learn about vermicomposting technologies, 
marketing castings and worms, castings tea, the benefits of using 
castings, and other topics.

This is the only training on mid-to-large scale vermicomposting in the U.S.

For details on the conference location, hotel accommodations and 
registration, please visit our website at 
http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/workshops/worms09/

-- 
Rhonda Sherman 
Extension Solid Waste Specialist
Biological & Agricultural Engineering Department
North Carolina State University
Box 7625, Raleigh, NC  27695-7625
Phone 919/515-6770  Fax 919/515-6772
E-mail: rhonda_sherman at ncsu.edu
Website: http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/people/faculty/sherman 


From Tim at upnplastics.com  Thu Mar 12 11:45:53 2009
From: Tim at upnplastics.com (Tim Howard)
Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:45:53 -0500
Subject: [USCC] Ventilation for Aerobic Composting
Message-ID: <7A0FB1D7ED02E94E82332A25EB78C27902785DF9@CARRIER.poly-america.com>

I work for Poly-Flex Composting in support of the Husky Ecopod
composting system.  In our system a 200 foot long tube is filled with
mixed material to be composted.  Both ends of the tube are sealed and
approximately (12) 2" diameter vents installed near the top of the tube
as it lays on the ground.  In the process of filling (2) 4": perforated
tubes are imbedded near the bottom of the bag for the length of the
tube, coupled at one end and connected to a Y at the other end.  The
third leg of the Y is brought outside the tube and attached to a blower.
The blower operates on a timed basis to bring fresh air into the tube,
venting to the outside through the 2" vents installed near the top of
the tube.

 

The blower forces approximately 400 CFM per minute into the tube at
about 2" of static pressure.  Usually the blower is set to 10 minutes on
and 10 minutes off after the bag is filled.  The time may be adjusted as
needed based on the measured temperature in the composting material.
Usually the temperature will show a steep rise over the first 48-72
hours from ambient to 150 to 160F.   Usually the blower on time would be
reduced to lower the temperature to 130-140F to prevent drying the
material excessively and stopping the composting process.

 

Blower operation will continue for the next 4 to 8 weeks.  The
temperature will generally stay at 140F for 7-10 days and gradually
taper down.  When the temperature reduces to 100-110F the material is
removed from the bag and windrowed or piled for curing.  It would be
normal for the material to reheat to 130F once and possible twice after
turning in the curing piles, at which time the compost is usually ready
for use.  When the bag is opened the moisture will have migrated toward
the outer perimeter and the center of the matrix will be thoroughly
composted but relatively dry.  There will be some condensation of
moisture on the plastic tube itself.  Depending on ambient conditions it
may be desirable to add water when curing.

 

The assumptions are that the material going into the Ecopod will have a
good C:N ratio, enough bulking materials to allow airflow through the
matrix and a moisture level of 50-65 percent.  Casual calculations show
the blower gives a complete air change about every 80 minutes based on
50 per cent run times.  The material quickly composts near the vents
forming small biofilters at each vent controlling odor, odiferous
volatiles condense on the inside of the tube and are contained in the
matrix until they can be completely composted and the matrix is not
exposed to ambient precipitation or objectionable vectors. 

 

While the Ecopod process does not lineup well with Mr. Crocker's
ventilation requirements, given a proper mix and moisture level it works
well and successfully produces high quality compost.

 

Tim Howard

Poly-Flex Composting

9480 Jamaica Avenue 

Cottage Grove, MN 55406

Desk Phone: 651-734-6237

Direct Fax: 651-734-6537

Email: tim at upnplastics.com

Cell: 612-616-0759

 

 


From bplatt at ilsr.org  Sat Mar 14 15:20:29 2009
From: bplatt at ilsr.org (Brenda Platt)
Date: Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:20:29 -0400
Subject: [USCC] need help debunking incin is better than composting!
Message-ID: <55887b8b0903141320m7a84790fx34380a7bad905ab5@mail.gmail.com>

Dear compost colleagues,
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance has worked for three decades fighting
waste burners and advocating for waste reduction, reuse, recycling and
composting in their stead.  We just received this document from a Germany
scientist with his arguments showing how incinerators are better than
composting from several perspectives.  We'd like to debunk this pseudo
science.  If you can help or provide information at any level, please
contact me.
Cheers,
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

---------- Forwarded message ----------

>From Dr. Helmut Schnurer ? former Head of Waste Management at the German
Federal Ministry for the Environment.  Dr. Schnurer is active advisor on
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management to the EU (By Telephone March 5th
 2009):

Issue: WTE a renewable energy source?

Argument: Over 50% of MSW landfilled is of biogenetic origin which makes it
a renewable resource.  Considering landfill gas (as well as bio gas from
digesting MSW) is already registered renewable energy sources WTE has to be
as well otherwise I-937 contradictory within itself.

Example of energy efficiency and being a clean energy source: WTE compared
with Composting
 WTECompostingConsuming Energy No (1)Yes (2)Producing EnergyYes (3) No
(4)Stringent
Emissions Limits (monitored)Yes (5)No (6) Noise levelLow (7)Medium
(8)Smell None
(9)Nuisance (10)Water discharge to the environmentZero water discharge (11) No
complete water containment (12)Environmental ImpactPositiveDepends on level
of regulation ? more negative Contribution to Climate ProtectionsignificantNo:
production of climate damaging gases (CO2, methane, N2O2)


   1. Depending on the type of WTE process utilized - for example the mass
      burn process only requires minimal amounts of start up fuel (biodiesel or
      natural gas) ? otherwise self supportive (producing electric
and/or thermal
      power).
      2. The composting process uses energy used to turn the compost, to
      pump in and out water, for aeration, for the watering, heating
in winter (as
      otherwise the biological process does not function correctly)
      3. Depending on the type of WTE process utilized ? for example the
      mass burn process (1000 tons/day) produces enough energy to power 30,000
      homes with electricity (more when steam is utilized).
      4. Commonly no energy is produced as requirements in the US and
      individual states do not require energy recovery ? could be
(suggestion to
      locate composting facility adjunct WTE facility as state of the
art fluegas
      treatment can handle additional methane rich emissions from
compost.  Other
      emission as laughing gas N2O2 (produced by composting
facilities) can also
      be treated and removed from the environment.  It should be noted that
      composting facilities only produce relatively small quantities
of this gas ?
      however compared to CH4 (Methane) which is 21 times as potent as
CO2, N2O2
      is 200 times as potent as CO2 or 10 times more potent than Ch4 and a very
      potent greenhouse gas.  It should be removed.  That is the reason that in
      Europe (particular in Germany) composting facilities larger than 10,000
      tons/y have to be in enclosed facilities with fluegas treatment
(making the
      process even more expensive).
      5. In the US, as in Europe emissions from WTE facilities are very
      closely monitored.  Even though in the 1970s and 80s toxic
emissions where
      considerable, today WTE facilities when compared to landfills or other
      industries only mostly negligible amounts.  The German limits are so
      stringent that even the German Green Party now accepts WTE as a viable
      method to reduce the GHGs from waste and for overall environmental
      protection and economical performance (still focusing on waste
reduction and
      recycling as primary goals).
      6. Emissions from composting facilities are if at all only minimally
      monitored.  However, there are states like the state of California, that
      view composting as a burden on the environment as well.  This
problem could
      be solved by locating composting facilities adjunct to WTE
facilities that
      will remove the toxins from the air.
      7. The only noise level that is of consideration are the trucks
      delivering the waste.  Many facilities in Europe are located within the
      cities within very close proximity to residential living and besides
      delivery trucks the noise level is contained by the enclosed buildings.
      8. Unless the composting facilities are fully enclosed the noise level
      is higher as equipment moves and operates outside including
delivery trucks.
      9. Modern WTE facilities (example mass burn) are enclosed facilities
      and due to the most stringent regulations have no odors to the
outside.  All
      air is channeled through a negative pressure system through the fluegas
      treatment process resulting in zero ?smell?.
      10. The smell at composting facilities when not in fully enclosed
      buildings (most composting facilities are open air) can reach detrimental
      levels.  This is either due to anaerobic ?nests? of methane and/or other
      odorous gases that develop and are released during the composting process
      (turning) and/or are produced by substances that should not be
composted in
      the first place (animal derived products etc ? biogas facilties should
      handle this kind of waste).
      11. Modern WTE facilties (mass burn) are zero water discharge
      facilties by regulation.
      12. There is no strictly enforced regulation that hinders water
      discharge from composting facilties.  In addition open air composting
      facilties have no adequate water collection systems.



Overall many products that are composted in the Pacific Northwest should not
be composted (papers as they contain bleach, animal products, etc).
Compared to heavily controlled, regulated and monitored WTE (mass burn)
facilties, composting facilties run a risk of contamination through certain
types of food wastes, household toxins that find their way into the
composting bin, garden chemicals etc.

Composting facilties also cost society a lot of money ? the better operating
the more expensive.  Bottom line composting should be done to a certain
amount and for certain products as the process can produce viable soil for
specific types such as forestry and maybe in vineyards.

WTE facilties turn a mostly biogenic (renewable) resource into reusable end
products and most importantly into renewable energy in a very controlled
environment that is strictly monitored and enforced.

Compared to landfilling which disposes of the biogenic and other resources
with minimal (at best 50% methane recovery), WTE (mass burn) pulls all the
energy content which is mostly biogenic (renewable) out of the waste
delivering valuable energy to businesses and residences.

The German Green Party waste to energy model facility (mass burn) keeps 100%
of waste out of landfills
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From jac at magicsoil.com  Fri Mar 13 11:44:06 2009
From: jac at magicsoil.com (John A. Crockett)
Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:44:06 -0400
Subject: [USCC] Oxygen level in compost & Eliot's comments
Message-ID: <200903131644.n2DGi7gn008350@omr10.networksolutionsemail.com>

I understood Eliot to say that he BELIEVES the oxygen level ought be at
least 10% in the compost.  

Does anyone have data to show the relationship between oxygen and/or CO2,
and the population of active bacteria and/or fungi?  

If we're in business for profit, and committed to our neighbors and the
environment, doesn't it make sense to do the research, to make our decisions
based on hard evidence? 

In most businesses, one of the first things a manager does is to look around
and see how many people are working.  With our primary production workers
being microbes, doesn't it make sense to be checking up on the microbes?
Sure, doing the direct estimates requires a 1000X microscope with
Epi-Fluorescence; and making up the phosphate buffers, doing the serial
dilutions and then staining.  And maybe that is a lot less expensive than
not knowing, less expensive than guessing and hoping.

We adjust the RATE of air flow to try to hold the CO2 in the off-gas between
1 - 2%.  Even then, there are times when the temperature pushes up over
160?F, even with the rate of air flow > 24 times the volume of the compost,
in fresh air, every hour.  

Does anyone have hard data showing at what moisture level the microbial
activity starts to decline, based on direct estimating of the population of
active bacteria?  And the same question applies to fungi; do fungi function
as well at 30% moisture as 40 or 50 or 60% moisture content?

Working Together to Create a Sustainable Environment,
John A. Crockett, a.k.a. Dr. Mike Robe
Mother Nature's Farms
(845) 225-7763
http://www.magicsoil.com/
jac at magicsoil.com
? 


From matt at mattcotton.com  Fri Mar 13 19:37:04 2009
From: matt at mattcotton.com (Matthew Cotton)
Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:37:04 -0700
Subject: [USCC] 2009 Workshops on Using Compost for Landscape and
	Environmental Enhancement (California)
Message-ID: <8702257E-B68D-4432-9C1F-F8D5250CC4C0@mattcotton.com>

2009 Workshops on Using Compost for Landscape and Environmental  
Enhancement (California)

?      Ensuring Compost Quality

?      Implementing Best Management Practices

?      Developing Model Ordinances and Purchasing Policies for  
Compost Use

?      Using the Caltrans Compost Specifications

Presented by the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)  
in partnership with the University of California, the Association of  
Compost Producers, the City of San Jose, R. Alexander Associates  
Inc., Caltrans, and other local governments.

WORKSHOP SUMMARY

The purpose of these workshops is to promote the benefits of compost  
and provide practical tools and information on how to use compost  
effectively for landscape and environmental enhancement.  Experts  
will comment on the status of ongoing research projects demonstrating  
the effectiveness of compost for erosion control.

Workshop topics will include:

?      The benefits of compost

?      The science behind composting

?      Ensuring compost quality

?      Implementing best management practices

?      Developing model ordinances and purchasing policies for  
compost use

?      Using the Caltrans compost specifications

Workshop instructors will include university professionals,  
researchers, soil scientists, compost industry professionals and  
others with extensive compost experience. Some workshops will include  
local speakers and/or a compost-related tour.  This is your chance to  
hear and ask questions from a diverse team of experts.

BENEFITS OF COMPOST

Attend a workshop to learn more about how your jurisdiction or agency  
can benefit from using compost!

  Following are just a few advantages of using compost:

?      Decreases runoff and erosion

?      Improves vegetation establishment, plant health and vigor

?      Conserves water by reducing irrigation requirements

?      Reduces the need for fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides.

?      Supplies organic matter, beneficial microbes and can suppress  
soil-borne diseases

?      Binds and degrades specific pollutants

?      Can be used to filter and improve water quality

?      Decreases waste going to the landfill and closes the recycling  
loop

?      Creates green jobs

2009 Workshop Schedule, Location and Registration Information:

April 7, Rancho Cucamonga, to register contact Linda Coco at  
sciences at ucx.ucr.edu, 951-827-5804 (phone) or 951-827-7374 (fax)

April 27, San Diego, BioCycle Pre-Conference Workshop, register at  
www.biocycle50.com

April 30, University of California, Riverside, to register contact  
Linda Coco at sciences at ucx.ucr.edu, 951-827-5804 (phone) or  
951-827-7374 (fax)

May 5, San Luis Obispo, to register contact Linda Coco at  
sciences at ucx.ucr.edu, 951-827-5804 (phone) or 951-827-7374 (fax)

May 21, San Juan Capistrano, to register contact Linda Coco at  
sciences at ucx.ucr.edu, 951-827-5804 (phone) or 951-827-7374 (fax)

Late June, Burbank, to register contact Linda Coco at  
sciences at ucx.ucr.edu, 951-827-5804 (phone) or 951-827-7374 (fax)

For further information please call Danielle Aslam (CIWMB) at  
562-492-9347


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




From Rufus.Chaney at ARS.USDA.GOV  Sun Mar 15 12:33:51 2009
From: Rufus.Chaney at ARS.USDA.GOV (Chaney, Rufus)
Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 13:33:51 -0400
Subject: [USCC] aerobic composting, definitiion
In-Reply-To: <200903111556.n2BFuEhi028578@omr15.networksolutionsemail.com>
Message-ID: <AA859CCAF8F10A4B97993E2F1445964B031323A3@MD-MAIL-02.ARSNET.ARS.USDA.GOV>

Dear John and USCCers:

I think we all recognize the point you raise here and have raised before. Successful management is an "art" and must deal with the issues you raise.

The heart of the discussion is whether composting is "aerobic" or "anaerobic" in nature. During the composting process, O2 level will fall during periods of rapid microbial action, and between aeration events. From beginning to ending, the process generally becomes more and more aerobic as the BOD is metabolized. But if the process goes anaerobic, it generates a huge malodor and requires careful management to obtain aerobic status and proper management to become aerobically stabilized. The fact that low O2 levels are found in the center of compost piles during the middle of the composting process is simply "composting" under aerobic conditions. Too high aeration cools excessively, or enough aeration replaces O2, removes CO2 and water, and cools appropriately. 

But the process and product are "aerobic".

Please focus on the big picture. Composting should never be used to describe an anaerobic process.

Regards,

Rufus Chaney
Beltsville, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of John A. Crockett
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 11:56 AM
To: U.S. Composting Council listserve
Subject: [USCC] aerobic composting, definitiion

There is a lot of discussion on anaerobic and aerobic.

What is the specific definition of aerobic composting in terms of the oxygen
level in the compost?  Is it 5% oxygen, 10%, 15%?  What CO2 levels are still
acceptable under the definition of "aerobic"?  OR, is there no such
definition?

I strive for 1 - 2% CO2 in the off-gas, and I base that on assaying the
active bacteria population, and the fact that we've gotten our best
populations of active bacteria when the CO2 in the off-gas was less than 4%.

We've also had many cases where in the early days of the process, we've
sustained temperatures > 150?F with a rate of aeration > 25 times the volume
of the compost, in fresh air, every hour, in order to hold the CO2 within
those limits.  

Working Together to Create a Sustainable Environment,
John A. Crockett, a.k.a. Dr. Mike Robe
Mother Nature's Farms
(845) 225-7763
http://www.magicsoil.com/
jac at magicsoil.com
? 

_______________________________________
Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade Show, January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of Training Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting Facility. Conference Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor Information and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
_____________________________________________________________________________
Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
_______________________________________
This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved

Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or the Board of Directors.

Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm

Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost

For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org

From buckstop at vdot.net  Mon Mar 16 19:41:01 2009
From: buckstop at vdot.net (Stuart Buckner)
Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:41:01 -0400
Subject: [USCC] RFP for Food Waste BMP Project
Message-ID: <807F27B31A9340ABB8DB8921D6E1041F@A25BD8260D5F438>

EmailBanner.gifThe U.S. Composting Council (USCC) is accepting proposals to prepare a Best Management Practices Guidance Document addressing how yard waste composting facilities can incorporate source-separated pre- and post-consumer food residuals into their existing composting operations. 

Proposals are due by March 27th. 
For the RFP announcement, click here: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/news/news.php?id=49


To download the RFP directly, click here: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/uploads/136746b37ba997f0466beff3271d635f..pdf

____________________________________
Stuart Buckner, Ph.D. |  Executive Director
US Composting Council | 1 Comac Loop, Suite 14B1 | Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
phone: 631-737-4931 | cell: 631-834-1400 | fax: 631-737-4939 | buckstop at vdot.net 

From CAVM at aol.com  Mon Mar 16 19:47:08 2009
From: CAVM at aol.com (CAVM@aol.com)
Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:47:08 EDT
Subject: [USCC] Incineration vs composting
Message-ID: <c5c.48b96394.36f04d0c@aol.com>

Brenda, what your paper described is combustion, not incineration.   While 
both processes reduce the volume of input material through heat,  incineration 
is a heat sink while combustion produces heat for other uses.
 
There might be several factors favoring composting or combustion for  
different sites.  But what can be used as a common denominator for  comparison?  The 
most likely one is net profit. It is more likely to be an  ongoing 
(sustainable) venture if the material is composted or  combusted?
 
In properly designed systems I don't see much opportunity for pollution in  
either system, or not one over another. Combustion can be clean enough that you 
 can't tell if the facility is operating by looking at the stack. 
 
Neal Van Milligen
_cavm at aol.com_ (mailto:cavm at aol.com) 
**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy 
steps! 
(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1219850974x1201371016/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID
%3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62)

From buckstop at vdot.net  Mon Mar 16 20:07:00 2009
From: buckstop at vdot.net (Stuart Buckner)
Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 21:07:00 -0400
Subject: [USCC] need help debunking incin is better than composting!
References: <55887b8b0903141320m7a84790fx34380a7bad905ab5@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <AB1540F952F74E2EAEE442AB8F0B64F5@A25BD8260D5F438>

Brenda,

Attachments are not premitted on the USCC list serve. Please refrain from 
using.

Thanks,
Stu
____________________________________
Stuart Buckner, Ph.D. |  Executive Director
US Composting Council | 1 Comac Loop, Suite 14B1 | Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
phone: 631-737-4931 | cell: 631-834-1400 | fax: 631-737-4939 | 
buckstop at vdot.net


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brenda Platt" <bplatt at ilsr.org>
To: <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2009 4:20 PM
Subject: [USCC] need help debunking incin is better than composting!


Dear compost colleagues,
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance has worked for three decades fighting
waste burners and advocating for waste reduction, reuse, recycling and
composting in their stead.  We just received this document from a Germany
scientist with his arguments showing how incinerators are better than
composting from several perspectives.  We'd like to debunk this pseudo
science.  If you can help or provide information at any level, please
contact me.
Cheers,
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

---------- Forwarded message ----------

>From Dr. Helmut Schnurer ? former Head of Waste Management at the German
Federal Ministry for the Environment.  Dr. Schnurer is active advisor on
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management to the EU (By Telephone March 5th
 2009):

Issue: WTE a renewable energy source?

Argument: Over 50% of MSW landfilled is of biogenetic origin which makes it
a renewable resource.  Considering landfill gas (as well as bio gas from
digesting MSW) is already registered renewable energy sources WTE has to be
as well otherwise I-937 contradictory within itself.

Example of energy efficiency and being a clean energy source: WTE compared
with Composting
 WTECompostingConsuming Energy No (1)Yes (2)Producing EnergyYes (3) No
(4)Stringent
Emissions Limits (monitored)Yes (5)No (6) Noise levelLow (7)Medium
(8)Smell None
(9)Nuisance (10)Water discharge to the environmentZero water discharge (11) 
No
complete water containment (12)Environmental ImpactPositiveDepends on level
of regulation ? more negative Contribution to Climate 
ProtectionsignificantNo:
production of climate damaging gases (CO2, methane, N2O2)


   1. Depending on the type of WTE process utilized - for example the mass
      burn process only requires minimal amounts of start up fuel (biodiesel 
or
      natural gas) ? otherwise self supportive (producing electric
and/or thermal
      power).
      2. The composting process uses energy used to turn the compost, to
      pump in and out water, for aeration, for the watering, heating
in winter (as
      otherwise the biological process does not function correctly)
      3. Depending on the type of WTE process utilized ? for example the
      mass burn process (1000 tons/day) produces enough energy to power 
30,000
      homes with electricity (more when steam is utilized).
      4. Commonly no energy is produced as requirements in the US and
      individual states do not require energy recovery ? could be
(suggestion to
      locate composting facility adjunct WTE facility as state of the
art fluegas
      treatment can handle additional methane rich emissions from
compost.  Other
      emission as laughing gas N2O2 (produced by composting
facilities) can also
      be treated and removed from the environment.  It should be noted that
      composting facilities only produce relatively small quantities
of this gas ?
      however compared to CH4 (Methane) which is 21 times as potent as
CO2, N2O2
      is 200 times as potent as CO2 or 10 times more potent than Ch4 and a 
very
      potent greenhouse gas.  It should be removed.  That is the reason that 
in
      Europe (particular in Germany) composting facilities larger than 
10,000
      tons/y have to be in enclosed facilities with fluegas treatment
(making the
      process even more expensive).
      5. In the US, as in Europe emissions from WTE facilities are very
      closely monitored.  Even though in the 1970s and 80s toxic
emissions where
      considerable, today WTE facilities when compared to landfills or other
      industries only mostly negligible amounts.  The German limits are so
      stringent that even the German Green Party now accepts WTE as a viable
      method to reduce the GHGs from waste and for overall environmental
      protection and economical performance (still focusing on waste
reduction and
      recycling as primary goals).
      6. Emissions from composting facilities are if at all only minimally
      monitored.  However, there are states like the state of California, 
that
      view composting as a burden on the environment as well.  This
problem could
      be solved by locating composting facilities adjunct to WTE
facilities that
      will remove the toxins from the air.
      7. The only noise level that is of consideration are the trucks
      delivering the waste.  Many facilities in Europe are located within 
the
      cities within very close proximity to residential living and besides
      delivery trucks the noise level is contained by the enclosed 
buildings.
      8. Unless the composting facilities are fully enclosed the noise level
      is higher as equipment moves and operates outside including
delivery trucks.
      9. Modern WTE facilities (example mass burn) are enclosed facilities
      and due to the most stringent regulations have no odors to the
outside.  All
      air is channeled through a negative pressure system through the 
fluegas
      treatment process resulting in zero ?smell?.
      10. The smell at composting facilities when not in fully enclosed
      buildings (most composting facilities are open air) can reach 
detrimental
      levels.  This is either due to anaerobic ?nests? of methane and/or 
other
      odorous gases that develop and are released during the composting 
process
      (turning) and/or are produced by substances that should not be
composted in
      the first place (animal derived products etc ? biogas facilties should
      handle this kind of waste).
      11. Modern WTE facilties (mass burn) are zero water discharge
      facilties by regulation.
      12. There is no strictly enforced regulation that hinders water
      discharge from composting facilties.  In addition open air composting
      facilties have no adequate water collection systems.



Overall many products that are composted in the Pacific Northwest should not
be composted (papers as they contain bleach, animal products, etc).
Compared to heavily controlled, regulated and monitored WTE (mass burn)
facilties, composting facilties run a risk of contamination through certain
types of food wastes, household toxins that find their way into the
composting bin, garden chemicals etc.

Composting facilties also cost society a lot of money ? the better operating
the more expensive.  Bottom line composting should be done to a certain
amount and for certain products as the process can produce viable soil for
specific types such as forestry and maybe in vineyards.

WTE facilties turn a mostly biogenic (renewable) resource into reusable end
products and most importantly into renewable energy in a very controlled
environment that is strictly monitored and enforced.

Compared to landfilling which disposes of the biogenic and other resources
with minimal (at best 50% methane recovery), WTE (mass burn) pulls all the
energy content which is mostly biogenic (renewable) out of the waste
delivering valuable energy to businesses and residences.

The German Green Party waste to energy model facility (mass burn) keeps 100%
of waste out of landfills



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


> _______________________________________
> Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade 
> Show, January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The Largest 
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> Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of Training 
> Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & 
> "Live" Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting 
> Facility. Conference Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor 
> Information and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website 
> www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
> _____________________________________________________________________________
> Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
> _______________________________________
> This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
> (c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
>
> Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, 
> or the Board of Directors.
>
> Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website 
> at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm
>
> Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their 
> posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information 
> regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to: 
> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>
> For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a 
> message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org
> 


From jac at magicsoil.com  Mon Mar 16 20:12:52 2009
From: jac at magicsoil.com (John A. Crockett)
Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 21:12:52 -0400
Subject: [USCC] What is "Aerobic" as far as % oxygen content
Message-ID: <200903170112.n2H1Cu3s010262@omr5.networksolutionsemail.com>


I agree with Rufus Chaney when he says there is a lot of "Art" to
composting.  I'll add, that I think a good composting process manager has a
lot of intuition, usually (L)Earned through years of hands on experience,
and continually asking how we can improve the process.

We adjust the rate of air flow, trying to hold the CO2 level between 1 - 2%,
and often that requires, with the feedstocks and the way we pre-process and
manage our compost, to require over 20 times the volume of compost, in fresh
air, every hour.  And even with that rate of air flow, we often see
temperatures > 160?.  We adjust the flow rate, and believe that on/off
aeration is no better than it would be for us.  I think I would have a real
hard time functioning if some of the time the air I breath had less than 15%
oxygen in it, so we use continuous aeration, 24/7.  While we call it
"forced" aeration, often the "force" is < 0.300"wc; and often a change of
0.030"wc will massively change the rate of flow.  Of course we need to use a
fine digital manometer to monitor pressure / vacuum in those ranges.  

And, certainly we often get significant foul odors in the off-gas from early
stage food composting, even with the oxygen level ? 17%.  Since we use
negative pressure on the early stage compost, we have custody of that
off-gas, and turn around and send it through older compost, which still
needs aeration, and very conveniently also doubles as a dynamic bio-filter.
At least, I've read that all fungi are strict aerobes, meaning that they
need oxygen.  I still don't know what the tolerance range is for oxygen for
optimal fungal activity, and if anyone knows that, I would appreciate that
information.

Our first oxygen depletion research was over 13 years ago, and we found that
the microbes could crash the oxygen level from 19% down to 2% in 15 minutes.
Much of that information has been available to everyone with internet
access, since we opened www.magicsoil.com in May of 1998.  Of course, how
fast the microbes crash the oxygen level in the absence of full time forced
aeration probably depends on how many active microbes are consuming oxygen,
are working at getting the composting job done.

If composting is a "profession", it seems to me that there ought to be a
definition for "aerobic" defined as a % oxygen content, and that definition
ought to be based on what level will support a specific population of
bacteria and / or fungi, whether that level of active bacteria be 5E+6, or
3.0E+9, per gram, dry weight.  Then, complicating that is particle size.  We
shred to < 1/8" because turn around time translates to how quickly we can
use that space for more incoming material.

Working Together to Create a Sustainable Environment,
John A. Crockett, a.k.a. Dr. Mike Robe
Mother Nature's Farms
(845) 225-7763
http://www.magicsoil.com/
jac at magicsoil.com
? 


From buckstop at vdot.net  Mon Mar 16 21:13:42 2009
From: buckstop at vdot.net (Stuart Buckner)
Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:13:42 -0400
Subject: [USCC] Fw:  RFP for Food Waste BMP Project
Message-ID: <41244780A4F344919CE17B0C6F6AD39B@A25BD8260D5F438>

Correction to RFP Link below

The U.S. Composting Council (USCC) is accepting proposals to prepare a Best Management Practices Guidance Document addressing how yard waste composting facilities can incorporate source-separated pre- and post-consumer food residuals into their existing composting operations. 
 
 Proposals are due by March 27th. 

For the RFP announcement, click here: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/news/news.php?id=49
 

 To download the RFP directly, click here: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/uploads/136746b37ba997f0466beff3271d635f..pdf
 
 ____________________________________
Stuart Buckner, Ph.D. |  Executive Director
US Composting Council | 1 Comac Loop, Suite 14B1 | Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
phone: 631-737-4931 | cell: 631-834-1400 | fax: 631-737-4939 | buckstop at vdot.net 

> _____________________________________________________________________________
> Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
> _______________________________________
> This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
> (c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
> 
> Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or the Board of Directors.
> 
> Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm
> 
> Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
> 
> For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org

From cscoker at verizon.net  Tue Mar 17 09:34:48 2009
From: cscoker at verizon.net (Craig Coker)
Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:34:48 -0400
Subject: [USCC] Food waste audits at colleges and universities
Message-ID: <44DDDAFCF0B74A2EB16A7CA1D302B005@LAPTOP>

Colleagues:

 

In preparation for a food waste audit at a major southern University, I'm
researching what others have done (in possibly a futile attempt to use
extrapolated data to avoid actual dumpster diving.<grin>).  I'd appreciate
any referrals to previous audits at dining halls, on-campus fast food
eateries, all-you-can-eats, cafes, etc.

 

Many thanks,

Craig

 

Craig Coker | Coker Composting & Consulting

1213 Spradlin Rd., Vinton, VA 24179

Tel.: (540) 890-1086, Fax: (540) 890-1087

Cell: (540) 874-5168, Email: cscoker at verizon.net

Web: www.cokercompost.com.

 

 This e-mail communication (including any attachments) may contain legally
privileged and confidential information intended solely for the use of the
intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, you should
immediately stop reading this message and delete it from your system. Any
unauthorized reading, distribution, copying or other use of this
communication (or its attachments) is strictly prohibited.

 


From maureen.reilly at sympatico.ca  Tue Mar 17 12:18:07 2009
From: maureen.reilly at sympatico.ca (Maureen Reilly)
Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:18:07 -0400
Subject: [USCC] Dr Helmut Schnurer - overview for waste management a good
	read
In-Reply-To: <55887b8b0903141320m7a84790fx34380a7bad905ab5@mail.gmail.com>
References: <55887b8b0903141320m7a84790fx34380a7bad905ab5@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <BAY134-W474A5653195E50FBC46D51FD980@phx.gbl>


Dr Schnurer has this overview of waste management posted to the web.

It looks at the closure of 500 landfills in Germany, waste reduction legislation, creation of recycling facilities,

pretreatment of MSW, and the picture makes alot of sense.   Compost isn't the only way to manage organic wastes.

Some organic wastes are too toxic, too contaminated with metals, plastics, or resistant pathogens (prions) to compost.

 

This isn't an" either-or" situation.  We need clean compost AND we need renewable energy.

http://www.greenconversionsystems.com/Power%20Point%20Presentations/German%20regulatory%20Perspective%20-%20PPT%20-%20short.ppt#261,6,Steps of Development (2)

 

Maureen Reilly

....................
> 
> >From Dr. Helmut Schnurer ? former Head of Waste Management at the German
> Federal Ministry for the Environment. Dr. Schnurer is active advisor on
> Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management to the EU (By Telephone March 5th
> 2009):
> 
> Issue: WTE a renewable energy source?
> 
> Argument: Over 50% of MSW landfilled is of biogenetic origin which makes it
> a renewable resource. Considering landfill gas (as well as bio gas from
> digesting MSW) is already registered renewable energy sources WTE has to be
> as well otherwise I-937 contradictory within itself.
> 
> Example of energy efficiency and being a clean energy source: WTE compared
> with Composting
> WTECompostingConsuming Energy No (1)Yes (2)Producing EnergyYes (3) No
> (4)Stringent
> Emissions Limits (monitored)Yes (5)No (6) Noise levelLow (7)Medium
> (8)Smell None
> (9)Nuisance (10)Water discharge to the environmentZero water discharge (11) No
> complete water containment (12)Environmental ImpactPositiveDepends on level
> of regulation ? more negative Contribution to Climate ProtectionsignificantNo:
> production of climate damaging gases (CO2, methane, N2O2)
> 
> 
> 1. Depending on the type of WTE process utilized - for example the mass
> burn process only requires minimal amounts of start up fuel (biodiesel or
> natural gas) ? otherwise self supportive (producing electric
> and/or thermal
> power).
> 2. The composting process uses energy used to turn the compost, to
> pump in and out water, for aeration, for the watering, heating
> in winter (as
> otherwise the biological process does not function correctly)
> 3. Depending on the type of WTE process utilized ? for example the
> mass burn process (1000 tons/day) produces enough energy to power 30,000
> homes with electricity (more when steam is utilized).
> 4. Commonly no energy is produced as requirements in the US and
> individual states do not require energy recovery ? could be
> (suggestion to
> locate composting facility adjunct WTE facility as state of the
> art fluegas
> treatment can handle additional methane rich emissions from
> compost. Other
> emission as laughing gas N2O2 (produced by composting
> facilities) can also
> be treated and removed from the environment. It should be noted that
> composting facilities only produce relatively small quantities
> of this gas ?
> however compared to CH4 (Methane) which is 21 times as potent as
> CO2, N2O2
> is 200 times as potent as CO2 or 10 times more potent than Ch4 and a very
> potent greenhouse gas. It should be removed. That is the reason that in
> Europe (particular in Germany) composting facilities larger than 10,000
> tons/y have to be in enclosed facilities with fluegas treatment
> (making the
> process even more expensive).
> 5. In the US, as in Europe emissions from WTE facilities are very
> closely monitored. Even though in the 1970s and 80s toxic
> emissions where
> considerable, today WTE facilities when compared to landfills or other
> industries only mostly negligible amounts. The German limits are so
> stringent that even the German Green Party now accepts WTE as a viable
> method to reduce the GHGs from waste and for overall environmental
> protection and economical performance (still focusing on waste
> reduction and
> recycling as primary goals).
> 6. Emissions from composting facilities are if at all only minimally
> monitored. However, there are states like the state of California, that
> view composting as a burden on the environment as well. This
> problem could
> be solved by locating composting facilities adjunct to WTE
> facilities that
> will remove the toxins from the air.
> 7. The only noise level that is of consideration are the trucks
> delivering the waste. Many facilities in Europe are located within the
> cities within very close proximity to residential living and besides
> delivery trucks the noise level is contained by the enclosed buildings.
> 8. Unless the composting facilities are fully enclosed the noise level
> is higher as equipment moves and operates outside including
> delivery trucks.
> 9. Modern WTE facilities (example mass burn) are enclosed facilities
> and due to the most stringent regulations have no odors to the
> outside. All
> air is channeled through a negative pressure system through the fluegas
> treatment process resulting in zero ?smell?.
> 10. The smell at composting facilities when not in fully enclosed
> buildings (most composting facilities are open air) can reach detrimental
> levels. This is either due to anaerobic ?nests? of methane and/or other
> odorous gases that develop and are released during the composting process
> (turning) and/or are produced by substances that should not be
> composted in
> the first place (animal derived products etc ? biogas facilties should
> handle this kind of waste).
> 11. Modern WTE facilties (mass burn) are zero water discharge
> facilties by regulation.
> 12. There is no strictly enforced regulation that hinders water
> discharge from composting facilties. In addition open air composting
> facilties have no adequate water collection systems.
> 
> 
> 
> Overall many products that are composted in the Pacific Northwest should not
> be composted (papers as they contain bleach, animal products, etc).
> Compared to heavily controlled, regulated and monitored WTE (mass burn)
> facilties, composting facilties run a risk of contamination through certain
> types of food wastes, household toxins that find their way into the
> composting bin, garden chemicals etc.
> 
> Composting facilties also cost society a lot of money ? the better operating
> the more expensive. Bottom line composting should be done to a certain
> amount and for certain products as the process can produce viable soil for
> specific types such as forestry and maybe in vineyards.
> 
> WTE facilties turn a mostly biogenic (renewable) resource into reusable end
> products and most importantly into renewable energy in a very controlled
> environment that is strictly monitored and enforced.
> 
> Compared to landfilling which disposes of the biogenic and other resources
> with minimal (at best 50% methane recovery), WTE (mass burn) pulls all the
> energy content which is mostly biogenic (renewable) out of the waste
> delivering valuable energy to businesses and residences.
> 
> The German Green Party waste to energy model facility (mass burn) keeps 100%
> of waste out of landfills


From epsteinee at comcast.net  Wed Mar 18 11:18:46 2009
From: epsteinee at comcast.net (Eliot Epstein)
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:18:46 -0400
Subject: [USCC] Oxygen level in compost & Eliot's comments
In-Reply-To: <200903131644.n2DGi7gn008350@omr10.networksolutionsemail.com>
Message-ID: <000201c9a7e5$36d33310$d4f66c4c@D75H2DF1>

Take a look in my book The Science of Composting pg. 27

Eliot

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of John A. Crockett
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 12:44 PM
To: U.S. Composting Council listserve
Subject: [USCC] Oxygen level in compost & Eliot's comments


I understood Eliot to say that he BELIEVES the oxygen level ought be at
least 10% in the compost.  

Does anyone have data to show the relationship between oxygen and/or CO2,
and the population of active bacteria and/or fungi?  

If we're in business for profit, and committed to our neighbors and the
environment, doesn't it make sense to do the research, to make our decisions
based on hard evidence? 

In most businesses, one of the first things a manager does is to look around
and see how many people are working.  With our primary production workers
being microbes, doesn't it make sense to be checking up on the microbes?
Sure, doing the direct estimates requires a 1000X microscope with
Epi-Fluorescence; and making up the phosphate buffers, doing the serial
dilutions and then staining.  And maybe that is a lot less expensive than
not knowing, less expensive than guessing and hoping.

We adjust the RATE of air flow to try to hold the CO2 in the off-gas between
1 - 2%.  Even then, there are times when the temperature pushes up over
160?F, even with the rate of air flow > 24 times the volume of the compost,
in fresh air, every hour.  

Does anyone have hard data showing at what moisture level the microbial
activity starts to decline, based on direct estimating of the population of
active bacteria?  And the same question applies to fungi; do fungi function
as well at 30% moisture as 40 or 50 or 60% moisture content?

Working Together to Create a Sustainable Environment,
John A. Crockett, a.k.a. Dr. Mike Robe
Mother Nature's Farms
(845) 225-7763
http://www.magicsoil.com/
jac at magicsoil.com
? 

_______________________________________
Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade Show,
January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The Largest
Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, &
Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of Training
Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live"
Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting Facility.
Conference Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor Information
and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website
www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
____________________________________________________________________________
_
Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
_______________________________________
This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved

Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or
the Board of Directors.

Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website
at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm

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From jac at magicsoil.com  Thu Mar 19 10:33:16 2009
From: jac at magicsoil.com (John A. Crockett)
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:33:16 -0400
Subject: [USCC] Oxygen In Composting
Message-ID: <200903191533.n2JFXFSN003641@omr15.networksolutionsemail.com>

Regarding oxygen in composting, Eliot Epstein said: "Take a look in my book The Science of Composting pg. 27" which I just did, and to me, that does not answer my question.  It shows two graphs, Y axis oxygen, Y' axis CO2, and the X axis days.   I saw nothing on the rate of air flow. The oxygen could have been held at any level by adjusting the RATE of air flow.  I am well aware that oxygen consumption varies with the population of oxygen consumers, and that there are many management practices that affect the population, and that early in the process, there seems to be the greatest opportunity for the highest populations of active bacteria.  If the oxygen is low, it is easy enough to provide more aeration, a greater rate of air flow, provided the aeration system has been designed to enable varying the RATE of air flow, vary the cubic feet per minute. 

It is very easy to maintain oxygen at any given level by varying the RATE OF AIR FLOW to coordinate the aeration with the microbial oxygen consumption.  

I want, and firmly believe that we need info on population and / or bio-mass of active bacteria and fungi at various concentrations of oxygen and/or CO2.

We're frequently needing to provide over 13X, and 23X is not uncommon, the volume of compost, in fresh air every hour, to hold the CO2 down between 1 - 2%, and at the same time we're sustaining temperature < 155?F.

Since I am na?ve enough to believe that improving the composting process is going to require being a lot more aware of what is happening in the composting mass, and how that changes with our changing the oxygen and moisture levels, turning to homogenize, to improve porosity, while also getting the porosity to be more uniform, while also averaging out the microbial distribution throughout the composting mass; I just spent about 15 minutes looking at a tiny sample at 40X (microscope magnification) and found it interesting to see what appears to be a lot of fungal hyphae showing up.

I consider this sample to still be 'early stage', since the heating and oxygen consumption suggests to me that there is a lot of bacterial activity.  Can fungi generate nearly as much heat at bacteria?  I don't know!

So, we're back at the question:  What is the definition of "aerobic" in concentration of oxygen in the composting mass?  Is there any definitive percentage of oxygen that qualifies as aerobic?  And if so, what is the basis for that definition?  I suggest that maybe 15% oxygen be accepted as aerobic and that ? 17% is better; and that CO2 should be ? 5% with ? 2% being a lot better.  I think this is what the microbes 'need' to be able to meet the challenges that homo sapiens have created, that we're depending on them to solve.

Working Together to Create a Sustainable Environment,
John A. Crockett, a.k.a. Dr. Mike Robe
Mother Nature's Farms
(845) 225-7763
http://www.magicsoil.com/
jac at magicsoil.com
  


From jac at magicsoil.com  Fri Mar 20 09:16:51 2009
From: jac at magicsoil.com (John A. Crockett)
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:16:51 -0400
Subject: [USCC] Improving the composting Process,
	increasing Fungal population density
Message-ID: <200903201416.n2KEGowL023504@omr16.networksolutionsemail.com>

How can we most effectively, efficiently increase the population density of the funguses that do the composting for us in the later stage of the composting process?  

How can we go beyond the most basic steps of:
1.	front end (pre-processing) to reduce particle size to < ?",
2.	maintain moisture content ? 40% (does anyone have good data to show what the best moisture content is to promote fungal activity?)
3.	Maintain oxygen ? 15%, and again, does anyone have solid data on what the minimum oxygen concentration is for good fungal activity?
4.	Utilization of Progressive Inoculation Technology.

In composting we have a major advantage over most other industries in that our primary production workers come free, are willing to work 24/7, are non-unionized, work Sundays and holidays.  Of course, I am talking about the microbial master composters.  And, we know that they have the ability to raise a big stink, if not treated respectfully.

With that going for us, doesn't it make sense to figure out how to optimize their population and productivity?

I can be a slow learner.  It was just yesterday that I first looked at a sample of compost, a few particles, no serial dilution in phosphate buffer, but rather putting a tiny bit of compost on a microscope slide, and studied it a little at 40X, no cover slip, I did not compact it at all, which meant that I had to move the stage up and down because of the limited depth of field, to focus in on the hyphae.  It's fascinating, and very humbling.  I have so much to learn about composting.  

Because of the limitations of depth of field, photographing may be very difficult. I'll see if I can prolong the exposure time to increase the depth of field / focus, for better images.  I am looking for a database, that we can measure our management against, to see how we can significantly improve the population of active fungi, to speed up turn around time.

It seems to me that earning public respect calls for our being really professional, and that calls for learning a lot more about the composting process, including learning about our microbial master composters.

Working Together to Create a Sustainable Environment,
John A. Crockett, a.k.a. Dr. Mike Robe
Mother Nature's Farms
(845) 225-7763
http://www.magicsoil.com/
jac at magicsoil.com
  


From britt_faucette at hotmail.com  Fri Mar 20 13:07:52 2009
From: britt_faucette at hotmail.com (Britt Faucette)
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:07:52 +0000
Subject: [USCC] Food waste audits at colleges and universities
In-Reply-To: <44DDDAFCF0B74A2EB16A7CA1D302B005@LAPTOP>
References: <44DDDAFCF0B74A2EB16A7CA1D302B005@LAPTOP>
Message-ID: <SNT102-W459BFA66E16F3387027EEBF8970@phx.gbl>


Craig,

Check out these two references. I believe you were the editor for the proceedings in the first reference. Full circle.

 

3.       
4.       Faucette, B., K.C. Das, and M. Risse, 2000. Evaluation of Aerated Container 
               Composting of Preconsumer and Postconsumer Food Residuals. 
               Transactions of the Y2K Composting in the Southeast Conference.
5.      Faucette, B, K.C. Das, and M. Rissee. 2001. University Tests In-Vessel Composting of Food        
         Residuals. BioCycle, January, pp. 68-70.


Dr. Britt Faucette, Ecologist, CPESC, LEED AP 
Director of Research & Technical Services 
Filtrexx International 
551 East Lake Drive 
Decatur, GA 30030 
ph: (678) 592 7094 
www.filtrexx.com 






 
> From: cscoker at verizon.net
> To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
> Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:34:48 -0400
> Subject: [USCC] Food waste audits at colleges and universities
> 
> Colleagues:
> 
> 
> 
> In preparation for a food waste audit at a major southern University, I'm
> researching what others have done (in possibly a futile attempt to use
> extrapolated data to avoid actual dumpster diving.<grin>). I'd appreciate
> any referrals to previous audits at dining halls, on-campus fast food
> eateries, all-you-can-eats, cafes, etc.
> 
> 
> 
> Many thanks,
> 
> Craig
> 
> 
> 
> Craig Coker | Coker Composting & Consulting
> 
> 1213 Spradlin Rd., Vinton, VA 24179
> 
> Tel.: (540) 890-1086, Fax: (540) 890-1087
> 
> Cell: (540) 874-5168, Email: cscoker at verizon.net
> 
> Web: www.cokercompost.com.
> 
> 
> 
> This e-mail communication (including any attachments) may contain legally
> privileged and confidential information intended solely for the use of the
> intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, you should
> immediately stop reading this message and delete it from your system. Any
> unauthorized reading, distribution, copying or other use of this
> communication (or its attachments) is strictly prohibited.
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________
> Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade Show, January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of Training Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting Facility. Conference Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor Information and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
> _____________________________________________________________________________
> Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
> _______________________________________
> This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
> (c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
> 
> Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or the Board of Directors.
> 
> Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm
> 
> Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
> 
> For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org

From mikepnevin at yahoo.ca  Sat Mar 21 18:21:17 2009
From: mikepnevin at yahoo.ca (Michael Nevin)
Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:21:17 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [USCC] Improving the composting Process,
	increasing Fungal population density
Message-ID: <934110.83851.qm@web34401.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

Hi - have people had a chance to look at Teaming with Microbes by Lowenfels and Lewis with an Intro by Elaine Ingham, whose SoilFoodWeb approach is spelled out in this wonderful book which has lots of pictures of soil fungi, etc?
Cheers, Mike in Toronto whose public library has 16 copies

--- On Fri, 3/20/09, John A. Crockett <jac at magicsoil.com> wrote:


From: John A. Crockett <jac at magicsoil.com>
Subject: [USCC] Improving the composting Process, increasing Fungal population density
To: "U.S. Composting Council listserve" <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
Received: Friday, March 20, 2009, 10:16 AM


How can we most effectively, efficiently increase the population density of the funguses that do the composting for us in the later stage of the composting process?? 

How can we go beyond the most basic steps of:
1.??? front end (pre-processing) to reduce particle size to < ?",
2.??? maintain moisture content ? 40% (does anyone have good data to show what the best moisture content is to promote fungal activity?)
3.??? Maintain oxygen ? 15%, and again, does anyone have solid data on what the minimum oxygen concentration is for good fungal activity?
4.??? Utilization of Progressive Inoculation Technology.

In composting we have a major advantage over most other industries in that our primary production workers come free, are willing to work 24/7, are non-unionized, work Sundays and holidays.? Of course, I am talking about the microbial master composters.? And, we know that they have the ability to raise a big stink, if not treated respectfully.

With that going for us, doesn't it make sense to figure out how to optimize their population and productivity?

I can be a slow learner.? It was just yesterday that I first looked at a sample of compost, a few particles, no serial dilution in phosphate buffer, but rather putting a tiny bit of compost on a microscope slide, and studied it a little at 40X, no cover slip, I did not compact it at all, which meant that I had to move the stage up and down because of the limited depth of field, to focus in on the hyphae.? It's fascinating, and very humbling.? I have so much to learn about composting.? 

Because of the limitations of depth of field, photographing may be very difficult. I'll see if I can prolong the exposure time to increase the depth of field / focus, for better images.? I am looking for a database, that we can measure our management against, to see how we can significantly improve the population of active fungi, to speed up turn around time.

It seems to me that earning public respect calls for our being really professional, and that calls for learning a lot more about the composting process, including learning about our microbial master composters.

Working Together to Create a Sustainable Environment,
John A. Crockett, a.k.a. Dr. Mike Robe
Mother Nature's Farms
(845) 225-7763
http://www.magicsoil.com/
jac at magicsoil.com
? 

_______________________________________
Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade Show, January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of Training Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting Facility. Conference Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor Information and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
_____________________________________________________________________________
Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
_______________________________________
This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved

Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or the Board of Directors.

Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm

Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost

For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org



      __________________________________________________________________
Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr! 

http://www.flickr.com/gift/

From epsteinee at comcast.net  Sun Mar 22 09:48:55 2009
From: epsteinee at comcast.net (Eliot Epstein)
Date: Sun, 22 Mar 2009 10:48:55 -0400
Subject: [USCC] Oxygen In Composting
In-Reply-To: <200903191533.n2JFXFSN003641@omr15.networksolutionsemail.com>
Message-ID: <000801c9aafd$539b3c20$d4f66c4c@D75H2DF1>

John,

You asked about the relationship between oxygen and carbon dioxide. That is what my graph shows. I also pointed out that based on our 30 years of experience when oxygen levesl dropped below 5% we had a significant number of zones with little or no oxygen and were anaerobic. In thise cases we were able to measure small amounts of methane. Hence we recommended that piles (windrows) maintain oxygen levels above 10%. Higher levels were acceptable as long as the piles did not cool off appreciably and were able to maintain temperatures needed for pathogen destruction. As a point of interest my Ph.D thesis was on oxygen and carbon dioxide in soil in relation to the potential for organic matter decomposition. This was in 1955. Since then many excellent papers were written.

There is a large volume of literature on popultion trends during composting. From the 1980s by Strom, finstein and Morris in 1974, Poincelet, 1977,Britton and Droffner in 1994, Palmisano in 1996, Walke, 1975, Epstein 1997 etc. etc., etc. 

Eliot

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of John A. Crockett
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 11:33 AM
To: U.S. Composting Council listserve
Subject: [USCC] Oxygen In Composting


Regarding oxygen in composting, Eliot Epstein said: "Take a look in my book The Science of Composting pg. 27" which I just did, and to me, that does not answer my question.  It shows two graphs, Y axis oxygen, Y' axis CO2, and the X axis days.   I saw nothing on the rate of air flow. The oxygen could have been held at any level by adjusting the RATE of air flow.  I am well aware that oxygen consumption varies with the population of oxygen consumers, and that there are many management practices that affect the population, and that early in the process, there seems to be the greatest opportunity for the highest populations of active bacteria.  If the oxygen is low, it is easy enough to provide more aeration, a greater rate of air flow, provided the aeration system has been designed to enable varying the RATE of air flow, vary the cubic feet per minute. 

It is very easy to maintain oxygen at any given level by varying the RATE OF AIR FLOW to coordinate the aeration with the microbial oxygen consumption.  

I want, and firmly believe that we need info on population and / or bio-mass of active bacteria and fungi at various concentrations of oxygen and/or CO2.

We're frequently needing to provide over 13X, and 23X is not uncommon, the volume of compost, in fresh air every hour, to hold the CO2 down between 1 - 2%, and at the same time we're sustaining temperature < 155?F.

Since I am na?ve enough to believe that improving the composting process is going to require being a lot more aware of what is happening in the composting mass, and how that changes with our changing the oxygen and moisture levels, turning to homogenize, to improve porosity, while also getting the porosity to be more uniform, while also averaging out the microbial distribution throughout the composting mass; I just spent about 15 minutes looking at a tiny sample at 40X (microscope magnification) and found it interesting to see what appears to be a lot of fungal hyphae showing up.

I consider this sample to still be 'early stage', since the heating and oxygen consumption suggests to me that there is a lot of bacterial activity.  Can fungi generate nearly as much heat at bacteria?  I don't know!

So, we're back at the question:  What is the definition of "aerobic" in concentration of oxygen in the composting mass?  Is there any definitive percentage of oxygen that qualifies as aerobic?  And if so, what is the basis for that definition?  I suggest that maybe 15% oxygen be accepted as aerobic and that ? 17% is better; and that CO2 should be ? 5% with ? 2% being a lot better.  I think this is what the microbes 'need' to be able to meet the challenges that homo sapiens have created, that we're depending on them to solve.

Working Together to Create a Sustainable Environment,
John A. Crockett, a.k.a. Dr. Mike Robe
Mother Nature's Farms
(845) 225-7763
http://www.magicsoil.com/
jac at magicsoil.com
  

_______________________________________
Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade Show, January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of Training Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting Facility. Conference Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor Information and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931 _____________________________________________________________________________
Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
_______________________________________
This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved

Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or the Board of Directors.

Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm

Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost

For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org


From Gretchen.Wheat at Wisconsin.gov  Mon Mar 23 10:22:31 2009
From: Gretchen.Wheat at Wisconsin.gov (Wheat, Gretchen S - DNR)
Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:22:31 -0500
Subject: [USCC] Food waste audits at colleges and universities
In-Reply-To: <44DDDAFCF0B74A2EB16A7CA1D302B005@LAPTOP>
References: <44DDDAFCF0B74A2EB16A7CA1D302B005@LAPTOP>
Message-ID: <7C8513EEA091AD468467A26C2C491D5C54366A53C0@MEWMAD0PC01G01.accounts.wistate.us>

Craig -

I think the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point did a food waste audit prior to implementing their food composting program. Here's a link to a page with general information about the program, under the titles *Recycling and Composting Program & *Food Service Initiatives. I didn't see information about an audit, but you can find contacts there. http://www.uwsp.edu/sustainability/campusinitiatives/Waste%20and%20Water.aspx

Lakeland College, Ashland, Wisconsin, may have also done a food waste audit before implementing food waste composting.
http://www.northland.edu/sustainability-campus-initiatives-food-systems.htm

Gretchen Wheat, P.E.
Water Resources Engineer, Runoff Management Section
Bureau of Watershed Management, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
phone:  (608) 264-6273; fax:  (608) 267-7664; e-mail:  gretchen.wheat at wisconsin.gov
mailing address:  Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Box 7921, Madison, WI  53707-7921  Attention: Gretchen Wheat - WT/3

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Craig Coker
Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 9:35 AM
To: USCC Listserv
Subject: [USCC] Food waste audits at colleges and universities

Colleagues:



In preparation for a food waste audit at a major southern University, I'm researching what others have done (in possibly a futile attempt to use extrapolated data to avoid actual dumpster diving.<grin>).  I'd appreciate any referrals to previous audits at dining halls, on-campus fast food eateries, all-you-can-eats, cafes, etc.



Many thanks,

Craig



Craig Coker | Coker Composting & Consulting

1213 Spradlin Rd., Vinton, VA 24179

Tel.: (540) 890-1086, Fax: (540) 890-1087

Cell: (540) 874-5168, Email: cscoker at verizon.net

Web: www.cokercompost.com.



 This e-mail communication (including any attachments) may contain legally privileged and confidential information intended solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, you should immediately stop reading this message and delete it from your system. Any unauthorized reading, distribution, copying or other use of this communication (or its attachments) is strictly prohibited.



_______________________________________
Join us as the US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade Show, January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL. The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most Comprehensive Program of Training Courses, Educational & Technical Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting Facility. Conference Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor Information and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931 _____________________________________________________________________________
Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
_______________________________________
This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved

Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or the Board of Directors.

Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm

Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost

For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org

From dan at ecocycle.org  Tue Mar 24 15:29:22 2009
From: dan at ecocycle.org (Dan Matsch)
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:29:22 -0600
Subject: [USCC] Food waste audits at colleges and universities
In-Reply-To: <mailman.1.1237914001.9463.compost@mailman.cloudnet.com>
References: <mailman.1.1237914001.9463.compost@mailman.cloudnet.com>
Message-ID: <005201c9acbf$38174570$a845d050$@org>

Craig,
Also contact Jack DeBell of the Environmental Center at the University of
Colorado, 303-492-8307.  They ran an audit a few years ago in anticipation
of a proposal to compost their own food waste.

Dan Matsch
Program Manager
Eco-Cycle, Inc.
5030 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO? 80301
303-444-6640, ext. 116
www.ecocycle.org
dan at ecocycle.org
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:22:31 -0500
From: "Wheat, Gretchen S - DNR" <Gretchen.Wheat at Wisconsin.gov>
Subject: Re: [USCC] Food waste audits at colleges and universities
To: Compost Discussion List <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
Message-ID:
	
<7C8513EEA091AD468467A26C2C491D5C54366A53C0 at MEWMAD0PC01G01.accounts.wistate.
us>
	
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Craig -

I think the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point did a food waste audit
prior to implementing their food composting program. Here's a link to a page
with general information about the program, under the titles *Recycling and
Composting Program & *Food Service Initiatives. I didn't see information
about an audit, but you can find contacts there.
http://www.uwsp.edu/sustainability/campusinitiatives/Waste%20and%20Water.asp
x

Lakeland College, Ashland, Wisconsin, may have also done a food waste audit
before implementing food waste composting.
http://www.northland.edu/sustainability-campus-initiatives-food-systems.htm

Gretchen Wheat, P.E.
Water Resources Engineer, Runoff Management Section
Bureau of Watershed Management, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
phone:  (608) 264-6273; fax:  (608) 267-7664; e-mail:
gretchen.wheat at wisconsin.gov
mailing address:  Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Box 7921,
Madison, WI  53707-7921  Attention: Gretchen Wheat - WT/3

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Craig Coker
Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 9:35 AM
To: USCC Listserv
Subject: [USCC] Food waste audits at colleges and universities

Colleagues:



In preparation for a food waste audit at a major southern University, I'm
researching what others have done (in possibly a futile attempt to use
extrapolated data to avoid actual dumpster diving.<grin>).  I'd appreciate
any referrals to previous audits at dining halls, on-campus fast food
eateries, all-you-can-eats, cafes, etc.



Many thanks,

Craig



Craig Coker | Coker Composting & Consulting

1213 Spradlin Rd., Vinton, VA 24179

Tel.: (540) 890-1086, Fax: (540) 890-1087

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From humphry.chris at yahoo.com  Wed Mar 25 18:02:25 2009
From: humphry.chris at yahoo.com (Chris Humphry)
Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:02:25 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [USCC]  What is Anaerobic Composting
Message-ID: <896145.17713.qm@web112222.mail.gq1.yahoo.com>

Hi Rufus,

I agree the terms "bokashi composting" and "anaerobic composting" are incorrect.? Bokashi loosely translates to "fermented organic matter", and 'organic matter' is referring to the substance used when infusing the microbes (bran, rice hulls, etc).? I prefer the terms "starter bokashi" and "finished bokashi", the former is bokashi and the latter is so-called (finished) bokashi compost.? Just using 'bokashi' and 'finished bokashi' will no doubt lead to confusion, some people would take it to mean the bokashi is 'finished' fermenting.


You wrote:
"Consider the STA seal of approval. It requires a showing that the material actually composted at 55C or above to obtain the benefits of composting, not some arbitrary claim of the submitter."

Are you saying that anaerobic fermentation and decomposition (using bokashi) can not produce as high quality end-product as 'finished' compost?? If so please read the attached Soil Foodweb International (SFI) evaluation of their own assays using finished bokashi. 

When making the finished bokashi used in the SFI assays 'Osprey Landing' used traditional bokashi methods:? Anaerobically fermenting food scraps for some weeks (usually 3-6), then burying the fermented food scraps in soil so it may finish decomposing.? After some weeks (usually 3-8) the buried fermented organic matter has decomposed and is ready to use.? At that state the decomposed fermented organic matter could be called 'finished bokashi' and should be rife with microbes, etc, the full "Soil Foodweb" (SFW) and it should stable, contain humus, etc.

The finished bokashi is dug up and use just like compost, or left in place to enrich the soil.? High quality finished bokashi can rival quality compost in terms of biology.? Finished bokashi can have bacteria, fungi, nematodes, protozoa, earthworms, etc.? In other words finished bokashi may (or may not) have the full SFW, just like compost may (or may not) have the full SFW.? Though I assume if the fermented organic matter was buried in infertile soil it would have few organisms besides those used to ferment the orgaic matter.? But I guess the same could be said about compost (as lacking the full SFW) when making compost on infertile soil...


Excerpt from the SFI evaluation of their assays on finished bokashi: 
< http://www.ospreylanding.ca/explanation%20letter%20from%20swf.pdf > [PDF]

"All of the test results of your EM sample are excellent or very good.? A higher level of fungi may be beneficial for garden soils but there is a good amount present to work with that could be raised with the addition of some fungal foods. This sample has a very good bacterial and fungal foundation but the levels of nutrient cyclers ? the protozoa and nematode ? are exceptionally good.? The result of? the very healthy food web found in your EM sample is the potential for very high rates of nitrogen cycling that will support high yields in heavy feeding plants such as corn and potatoes.? Our test results of your sample point to a very healthy and biologically rich soil."



And here is a link to the SFW report:
< http://www.ospreylanding.ca/Soil%20Foodweb%20Lab.pdf > [PDF]


Chris



------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PREVIOUS MESSAGES IN TOPIC BELOW
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Dear USCC folks:

I can see some of the old experts on composting spinning in their graves
on these "anaerobic composting" claims. It is not correct to say
"anaerobic composting". As Eliot Epstein noted, composting is by
definition an aerobic thermophilic process. Not mesophilic like
anaerobic digestion at 35C. But 55C or above to kill pathogens and
obtain aerobic stabilization. Anaerobic digestion is a useful process to
generate methane and reduce mass of an unstable biomass. But it does not
attain the stability of aerobic processing. Recent trials of
thermophilic anaerobic digestion (to obtain pathogen kill and
stabilization) produced putrid end products which were not ready to go
to land. But thermophilic aerobic digestion gave a low odor product from
input sewage solids. Just no energy recovery historically used to power
pumps at POTWs. And their product is not ready for commercial
application; rather normal controlled land application of the wet or
dewatered product. Composting yields a semi-dry friable product ready to
mix in soils for many uses.

If you still think it appropriate to use "anaerobic composting", please
read some of the classic texts and official documents on composting and
present some rationale to justify the use. Don't just say that some
particular group use it for the commercial benefit of using the
"composting" name. That is simply cheating as sometimes occurs with
commercial interests.

Consider the STA seal of approval. It requires a showing that the
material actually composted at 55C or above to obtain the benefits of
composting, not some arbitrary claim of the submitter.

Regards,

Rufus Chaney
Beltsville, MD.

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Steve Diver
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 1:46 PM
To: Compost Discussion List
Subject: Re: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting

Some of the EM Bokashi Composting and Bocashi Composting 
(sans EM) piles are covered and allowed to ferment under
anaerobic conditions, but these are geared to fermentative
anaerobic not putrefactive anaerobic.  They might 
fit the description of anaerobic compost. 

It results in a good quality organic soil amendment.

This is totally unrelated to anaerobic digestion 
or digestate.  The is also unrelated to EM Bokashi
food scrap buckets. 

In most situations, these methods will be used
by farmers rather than compost facilities.  

Steve Diver
Texas 







      

From mikepnevin at yahoo.ca  Wed Mar 25 21:04:38 2009
From: mikepnevin at yahoo.ca (Michael Nevin)
Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:04:38 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [USCC] juglone
Message-ID: <226396.50538.qm@web34408.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

Hi - questions on juglone.
I have some black walnut wood shavings. Suitability of this material as a carbon source?
Cheers, Mike in Toronto


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From gevanylo at vt.edu  Thu Mar 26 10:16:54 2009
From: gevanylo at vt.edu (Greg Evanylo)
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:16:54 -0400
Subject: [USCC] juglone
In-Reply-To: <226396.50538.qm@web34408.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
References: <226396.50538.qm@web34408.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <200903261517.LZT70796@dagger.cc.vt.edu>

Experts are split on this issue. Some say that you can detoxify the 
juglone if you compost long enough (e.g., > 6 months). Haug even 
provides energy values of black walnut for use as chips in biosolids 
composting. See some of the comments below.

The West Virginia University site says: The largest concentrations of 
juglone and hydrojuglone (converted to juglone by sensitive plants) 
occur in the walnut's buds, nut hulls, and roots. However, leaves and 
stems do contain a smaller quantity. Juglone is only poorly soluble 
in water and thus does not move very far in the soil. Leaves, bark, 
or wood chips of black walnut should not be used to mulch landscape 
or garden plants. Even after a period of composting, such refuse may 
release small amounts of juglone. 
http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/fruits/blkwalnt.htm

The Purdue website also says that composting may not completely break 
down juglone. http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/HO-193.pdf

 From an Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet: Walnut leaves 
can be composted because the toxin breaks down when exposed to air, 
water and bacteria. The toxic effect can be degraded in two to four 
weeks. In soil, breakdown may take up to two months. Black walnut 
leaves may be composted separately, and the finished compost tested 
for toxicity by planting tomato seedlings in it. Sawdust mulch, fresh 
sawdust or chips from street tree prunings from black walnut are not 
suggested for plants sensitive to juglone, such as blueberry or other 
plants that are sensitive to juglone. However, composting of bark for 
a minimum of six months provides a safe mulch even for plants 
sensitive to juglone. (This pub also lists plant species and their 
sensitivity/tolerance.) http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1148.html

Bonnie Appleton et al. says one can detoxify black walnut leaves in a 
compost pile. http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/nursery/430-021/430-021.pdf

My recommendation would be:
1. Don't use significant quantities of black walnut (and a number of 
other such trees that produce allelopathic compounds (e.g., red 
cedar) if you plan on applying finished compost to sensitive specieis
2. If you have incorporated walnut chips/sawdust into the compost 
pile, continue to process for longer than usual
3. Use the finished product only on tolerant species

Greg

At 10:04 PM 3/25/2009, you wrote:
>Hi - questions on juglone.
>I have some black walnut wood shavings. Suitability of this material 
>as a carbon source?
>Cheers, Mike in Toronto
>
>
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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
http://www.cses.vt.edu/people/profiles/evanylo_profile.html