Project Number: 1265-21660-003-01
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Oct 01, 2006
End Date: Sep 30, 2010

Objective:
The proposed project seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of a local composting project where food cafeteria residuals are composted using an in-vessel composting unit and a static aerated pile system. This will allow for comparison of composting efficiency between the two methods, allow for comparison of by-products generated and ease of capture of by-products from both methods, and compare the most likely scenarios for urban composters, such as organic grocery stores, and close-in farmers and nurseries. The former possibly using composting vessels and the latter possibly using one and/or the other.

Approach:
A concurrent in-vessel/static pile composting study in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area on federal cafeteria- and commercial facility-generated food residuals will be conducted for 6-months to generate the following data and outcomes: data on the logistics of composting in densely populated areas and associated costs; assessment and comparison of the heat and gas by-product generation from the in-vessel compost unit and static aerated pile and potential for use in heating other agriculturally related operations; high-quality compost for use in local landscape and organic grower applications such as USDA-ARS¿s National Arboretum in downtown Washington, D.C.; and demonstration of composting in densely populated areas and development of educational materials based on the demonstration. It is anticipated this would aid potential composters in alleviating NIMBY concerns and could help to streamline the permitting process.