Final Report Small to Medium Scale Composting of Food Wastes in New York City

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The project was supported with a grant from the New York State Department of Economic Development, Office of Recycling Market Development (ORMD). Additional support was provided by the New York City Department of Sanitation (DOS) and by the New York City institutions and businesses, and compost technology providers described in this report. II Purpose of the Study Composting is one means of reducing the problems associated with landfills, incinerators, and other waste disposal methods. In urban areas, the dense concentration of business, industry, and housing results in large quantities of waste being generated in a relatively small geographic area, which creates unique opportunities for recovery. However, the density of urban areas also presents certain challenges. For one, composting requires space, which is scarce and expensive. In addition, given the likely proximity of neighbors to any site selected, the composting process must be strictly controlled in order to avoid odors and pests. Through this project, we sought to install and test different small-to medium-scale "in-vessel" composting technologies at a number of locations around New York City. In-vessel technologies are those systems that enclose the composting materials, thereby allowing for the efficient use of space and the capture and treatment of exhaust gases. The project was undertaken with two learning objectives: To determine the technical and economic feasibility of on-site composting in urban areas by evaluating four small-to medium-scale, in-vessel composting systems at various commercial, industrial, and institutional locations in New York City. To install permanent, on-site composting systems at two or more locations in the city, providing a combined annual processing capacity of 750 tons of food waste. During the course of the project, the key market barrier identified was the cost (capital and operating) associated with the in-vessel systems currently on the market, relative to collection and disposal of wastes by a private waste hauler. Furthermore, the project highlighted other considerations visa -vis wide-scale implementation of on-site, in-vessel composting. Composting is a living, dynamic process, thus the maintenance of a composting system requires more attention and training than standard recycling and disposal alternatives. In addition, the proper mix of ingredients is required for optimal composting conditions (e.g., moisture level, C:N, porosity). Thus, an on-site food waste composting program may entail locating and acquiring other ingredients such as shredded paper, wood shavings, or wood chips, some of which may have to come from off site. 3 III Project Summary During …