Composting Chaney Dining Hall s Food Refuse Completed by: Zack Jacobs, Paul Todd, Brandon Ewig
Our Goals To reduce the carbon emissions and fossil fuels used to transport the food waste from the Dining Hall. Develop several sustainable uses for the material in a beneficial manner for SUNY Canton. Pave the way for SUNY Canton to create a more environmentally friendly campus.
Composting Basics Composting is the transformation of organic material (through decomposition into a soil-like material called compost. Invertebrates (insects and earthworms), and microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) help in this transformation.
What Composting Involves Adding ingredients Maintaining proper temperatures Mixing Maintaining moisture Harvesting
Why Compost? Composting provides a partial solution to the important issue of overflowing landfills and garbage incineration. Other waste disposal options are costly to waste producers and the environment. Provides chemical free fertilizers that can be used to replenish gardens and farms resulting in better food for everyone.
Composting Methods On-site Composting Vermicomposting Windrow Composting Aerated Static Pile Composting In-vessel Composting Anaerobic Digestion
Uses Early stages can be used as mulch Keeps weeds from growing Helps retain moisture Beneficial minerals go into soil Later stages can be used for soil amending Enriches soil Helps with moisture retention Removes/reduces need for chemical fertilizers that leach into our ground water
What You Can Compost Vegetables Fruits Rinds Brown paper products Bread Cooked Pasta Tofu Peelings Leafy Greens Egg Shells Corn Cobs Yard Waste
What Not To Compost Meat Dairy Products Seeds Bleached paper products Bones Wax paper products Metals Plastics Oils Pet Waste
Carbon/Nitrogen Level Compost mix should be 30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen by weight Grass Clippings 19:1 Leaves 40:1 Equal weight of each would give you approximately 30:1 ratio for pile
Interview with John Sullivan Excited to compost Chaney s waste Mentioned pig farmer and troubles faced Owns horses, giving the campus potential for high nutrient soil Potential for possible on-campus gardening and selling to Chaney This completes an energy cycle
Plan of Action Amount of Compost Location Process of Collection
Amount of Compost Chaney s compostable kitchen waste amounted to about 150 gallons per week. Over the course of a school year that amounts to 4500 gallons To maintain a 30:1 Carbon to Nitrogen ratio a total of 112,500 gallons of leaves/grass clippings would be added. Total Gallons in = 117,000 gallons
Amount of Compost This would require about 15,640.677 cubic feet of space to be used for one year per turnover if the On-Site method is used. This method is impractical considering the turnover rate and labor involved In-vessel composting would save space and reduce labor
Location of Composting Site
Collection of Waste The school s electric utility vehicles could be used to deliver the compost
Collection of Waste With the use of electric vehicles the CO 2 saved by cutting out Casella s waste removal remains unchanged
Cost Benefits Average disposal fees are approximately $150 per ton Chaney approximately pays $360 per month $2,880 per academic year.
Carbon Offset by Composting Chaney s Food Waste
Carbon Offset by Composting Chaney s Food Waste Units Garbage Truck AVG. MPG 3 MPG Trip Distance 1 way 16 Miles Fuel Use Annually 4723.2 gallons Fuel Cost Annually $18,892.80 Carbon Emissions per US Gallons of Diesel 0.0030534 Tons Carbon Emissions per Trip 0.033 Tons Carbon Emissions Monthly 0.134 Tons Carbon Emissions Annually 1.602 Tons
Uses for the Compost Vegetable Garden Green House Campus Landscaping
USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Organic Requirements
Three levels of Organic Foods In the United States, federal legislation defines three levels of organic foods. -Products made entirely with certified organic ingredients and methods can be labeled "100% organic," -While only products with at least 95% organic ingredients may be labeled "organic." -A third category, containing a minimum of 70% organic ingredients, can be labeled "made with organic ingredients," but may NOT display the USDA Organic seal.
Crop Production Standards For crops to be certified organic they must follow strict guidelines: Must be grown on land that has been free of prohibited pesticides and substances for at least three years before harvest Consistent careful management of soil fertility Correct dispersal of manure if used Use prevention as the first form of pest control Must have buffer zones that protect from the flow of unwanted substances from nearby farms
Prohibited Substances Synthetic substances and ingredients Nonsynthetic substances Nonagricultural substances used in or on processed products Nonorganic agricultural substances used in or on processed products Ionizing radiation Sewage sludge.
General Requirements for Certification Comply with the Act and applicable organic production and handling regulations Establish, implement, and update annually an organic production or handling system plan Permit on-site inspections with complete access to the production or handling operation Submit the applicable fees charged by the certifying agent Immediately notify the certifying agent concerning: Application, including drift, of a prohibited substance to any field, production unit, site, facility, or product that is part of an operation; and Change in a certified operation or any portion of a certified operation that may affect its compliance with the Act and the regulations.
Green House Compost could be used in raised planting beds to grow various plant species Test different varieties for the garden Extend the growing season Grow plants for use in biofuels
Cooper Services All planting areas around campus need fertile soil Compost tea can be used as fertilizer instead of traditional fertilizer
Demo Composter
Description of Composter 55 gallon barrel Includes: Waste food from Chaney Leaves and grass clippings from campus
First Day: Tuesday, March 5th
Barrel at 3 weeks: Wednesday, March 27th
Barrel at 6 weeks: Wednesday, April 17th
Barrel at 9 weeks: Today
Sources Storey s Basic Country Skills by John and Martha Storey www.polaris.com (GEM Cars) www.usda.com ww.epa.gov/compost/