Organic Waste

-- Brummet's In the Media -- 

Lelia Taylor's Buried Under Books blog will feature an article I wrote.  

Lelia and I felt felt that because we are entering into a New Year, and the article being due for publication in the Spring – a time of renewal or rebirth – that it would be appropriate to offer an article on how writers can make a difference.

 http://www.cncbooks.com/blog  

The direct link to the article should be: 
http://cncbooksblog.wordpress.com/2013/03/08/writing-blessings-of-positive-change/ 

-- Quote of the Day --

 “Organic matter decomposing in landfills accounts for 16.2 percent of the US emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. 

…Americans generated nearly 35 million tons of food waste in 2010, 

...97 percent of which went into landfills. 

...more than 60 percent of the nation's yard trimmings - which makes up a similar portion of the U.S. waste stream - got recycled.” 

~ quoted from an article written by Juliet Eilperin titled  

‘Composting Efforts Gain Traction Across the United States’

-- Of Organic Waste -- 

 Similar numbers to those listed in the quote above are likely to be found in Canada and in other places of the world.

Over on the Vancouver Island in Cumberland, BC – they have a wonderful system for creating compost out of wastewater and plan or solid materials (i.e. sewage) where over 4,500 tons of materials are blended and enclosed in an aerated-floor bay for 28 days at 55-65˚ C. At this point the material will be screened and the stuff that doesn’t make it through the screen is sent back to the mixing station to be put in with new materials. The rest is transported on a separate conveyor belt to a special station that is aerated with perforated pipes and fans, where it sits for 6-8 weeks until is cured. At that point the material is moved yet again to windrows where it is turned every week or so for 10-12 weeks.

In total the facility can produce about 2,400 tons of compost that it sells back to the city, community members and agriculture industries. They hope, however, to double this production in the near future and are looking at greener company production options such as recovering heat from the composting stations. Their facility is based on a holistic composting approach using aeration and heat which reduces methane gas production and destroys pathogens. 

Meanwhile over on the East-Coast of the US more than 125 Safeway stores grind and ship spent coffee, flowers, vegetables and fruits to a recycling facility more then a 100 miles away to be produced into compost. Now that is commitment! 

In the Okanagan region of BC, Canada – the city of Kelowna created a product called Ogogrow, which they produce from their compost facility and then bag and sell back to the local gardeners, nurseries, and by the truckload to nurseries or use in local city parks and gardens. It operates using aerated composting systems along with temperature probes to make sure the heat is appropriate to kill any bad bacteria and has to pass several strict tests to ensure it is absolutely safe to use. However it has created a positive cash flow for the city and people really do enjoy participating in the program. Some areas like Grand Forks in the Boundary Region of BC have smaller, limited yard organic systems where they allow spring, fall and Xmas yard and tree trimmings curbside service. Several cities in both the US and Canada have already put bans out on putting commercial food waste in landfills.

What we can see by these examples is the need to have more local-based compost recycling facilities where all grocery stores, corner stores, cafes, restaurants, hotels and coffee shops can send their organics with less travel involved. While we are seeing a growth in this sector and hopefully we’ll find that curbside organic pick up and afore mentioned business compost recycling systems will be so common that it will equal or excel other recycling programs that currently exist. 

Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, their radio program, blog, and more at: http://brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends, clicking those social networking buttons, or visiting the Brummet's Store - and help raise funds for charity as well!