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Cape Cod Composting Network
MASSRECYCLE R3 Conference
March 27, 2017
Overview• What is the Cape Cod
Composting Network?• The Commercial Food
Waste Disposal Ban• Current compost
status on Cape Cod.• Lessons/information
so far…• Resources available.
Cape Cod Composting Network• Formed in response to the Commercial Food
Waste Ban which took effect in October, 2014.• We are a community working group focused
on organics diversion, regional composting options and community partnerships.
• Goal: To increase the number of compost sites that accept food waste, and to make food waste diversion a economically viable option for local businesses on Cape Cod.
• Membership: County & Town officials, local waste haulers, compost site operators, farmers, consultants/private industry, compost start-ups, restaurants, and interested citizens.
• Our Role: To educate businesses and residents about food waste diversion and facilitate discussion about potential solutions among various stakeholders.
Food Waste Disposal Ban• Food waste and vegetative material• Commercial/institutional
generators that dispose of 1 ton food waste or more per week
• ~1,700 entities potentially subject to the ban
• Took effect on October 1, 2014 • Food waste must be sent to
composting/animal-feed operations or shipped to an anaerobic digestion (AD) facility.
http://www.fao.org
Material Breakdown
http://www.recyclingworksma.com/
What’s in our waste?
Organic Materials
MassDEP, 2011 Waste Characterization Study
Food Waste Sources on Cape CodEstimated Food Waste amounts from commercial sources on Cape Cod
(DEP study 2011):
Type# of Food
GeneratorsEstimated
Tons/YrAvg.
Tons/WkResorts and Conference Facilities 20 126.70 0.12Food and Beverage Manufacturers/Processors 33 0.00Supermarkets and Grocery Stores 56 6345.45 2.18Institutions -Colleges/Universities 1 71.44 1.37Institutions -Healthcare Facilities 30 1062.01 0.68Restaurants 300 13378.50 0.86Wholesale Distributors 29 0.00Grand Total 469 20984.10 0.86
Who’s Composting Food Waste on Cape Cod?
Collections• Frequent pick-ups• Collection areas
must be kept clean• Pick-ups are 1-5
times per week/as needed
• Collection using small, energy efficient vehicles!
Compost With Me Falmouth, MA
Mashpee Transfer Station
• Started collecting in May 2015
• Two 30 gallon barrels 1x week, but quickly increased to 2x week
• Collected 300 barrels of food scraps to date.
• Estimating between 80-100 pounds per barrel
• Approximately 12-13 TONS of food scraps!
Watts Family Farm
• Collects from Supermarkets and local transfer stations.
• The compost consists of food waste, cranberries, manure, leaves, and wood waste.
• With the right mixture of materials, it generally takes eight to twelve months to make.
• The compost is made in windrows approximately 20 feet wide by 150 feet long and 15 feet tall.
• The windrows are aerated twice a month and sometimes more if weather permits.
http://www.wattsfamilyfarms.com/
Turned Windrows
Robert Rynk, On-Farm Composting Handbook
Involves the formation of composting windrows and the periodic turning of the windrows with a bucket loader, windrow turner, or excavator.
Feasible Composting Methods for Cape Cod, MA
Aerated Static Pile (Forced Aeration)
Involves the formation of piles over perforated aeration channels or ducts that push or pull air through the material in a controlled manner with blowers. Positive Aeration is when air is pushed through the composting material. Negative Aeration is when air is pulled through the composting material.
In-vessel compostingContained composting systems in which the composting materials are processed and aerated by a system of agitation or forced aeration and often a combination of the two.
Feasible Composting Methods for Cape Cod, MA
Simple Bin System
Forming piles in large bins and turning them periodically, usually from one bin to the other.
Unfeasible Composting Method for Cape Cod, MA
An unturned compost pile:.THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED WHEN
HANDLING FOOD SCRAPS FROM OFF-SITE AS IT DOES NOT MEET THE INTENT OF
THE PATHOGEN REDUCTION STANDARD.
Factors that Influence the Composting Process:
• Temperature• Carbon-Nitrogen
(C:N) Ratio• Oxygen Content
(Porosity)• Moisture Content• pH• Particle Size
Maine Compost School
To compost, or not to compost…
Benefits:– Soil conditioning– Saleable product– Improve manure handling– Pathogen destruction– Bedding substitute– Processing fees
Drawbacks:– Time & money– Equipment– Land– Odor– Marketing product– Regulatory hurdles
(Robert Rynk, On-Farm Composting Handbook)
Challenges/Barriers1. Can we develop a market for food waste that is cost neutral
or generates cost savings to restaurants and haulers?
http://recyclingworksma.com www.biocycle.net
Challenges/Barriers2. How to manage contamination in source separated food waste?
https://www.biocycle.net/2015/01/14/new-york-city-organics-collection/
Challenges/Barriers3. What is the appropriate location and size of compost facilities?
4. Is there a strong market for compost on Cape Cod in terms of the end-product?
http://www.backtothegarden.us
Available Resources
Compost Site Technical Assistance:Apply to have composting experts contracted through RecyclingWorks:• Conduct up to 2 site visits• Utilize an operational best management practices
(BMPs) checklist reviewed by MassDEP and MDAR to assess each facility• Develop a written report for
compost site operators.
Contact Information
Todd KoepMunicipal Assistance CoordinatorMassDEP/Southeast District 3(781) [email protected]
Massachusetts Recycling WorksHotline: 888-254-5525 Email: [email protected]
