University tests in-vessel composting of food residuals

MANAGING FEEDSTOCK RATIOS

Staff at University of Georgia examine feedstock ratios, odor levels, leachate, air flow rates and product quality as part of regional technical assistance program.

ALMOST 25 million tons of food residuals were landfilled in the United States in 1999, nearly double the amount of just ten years ago, according to the U.S. EPA. The agency recently declared food residuals to be the leading methane source (by unit volume) coming from MSW landfills, which are the top producers of methane in the U.S. In Georgia, rising volumes of food and other organic residuals are increasing demands on landfills. To address this, the University of Georgia's (UGA) …