Barriers to Aerobic Composting

1. Ginny Black Organics Recycling Specialist Barriers to Aerobic Composting

2. Finding of the Food Residuals Diversion Team2004

3. Lack of : • composting infrastructure capacity • appropriate permitting rules for compost facilities: • Sitting issues: location to generators, buffers; • Efficient design and operation; • Cost-effective operation; • Air emission (Bioaerosols/odors) and GHG concerns. • Statutory Organics diversion goal or ban • Organics is not included in the recycling definition • Food to people: A complicated network of regulations for collection vehicles by Dept of Health & Ag. • Local ordinances: • allow only 1-2 collection containers on the curb, • require recycling and MSW collection containers be enclosed. • Collection systems Barriers – Government/Private Sector

4. Lack of knowledge about: • food sources • info to make an informed decision on waste management, i.e. options for organics • lack of tax education, knowledge of write-off • Lack of liability education among generators for food to people programs Barriers – Education

5. Lack the knowledge to start a collection program Generator education on amount of staff time SSO actually takes Cultural or language diversity within the restaurant/grocery industry Lack of feed stock quality Lack of education of big picture/environmental consequence Perception of lots of landfill space Barriers - Education

6. Lack of State funding (especially the SW tax) • State financing, taxing/incentives polices to support organics recovery • Current tax structure promotes land disposal, need greater financial incentives • Lack of funding for Capitol and rolling stock • Lack of funding for education and staff • High process cost because of low tonnages delivered to compost facilities • Must compete with less expensive option (landfills) Barriers – Financial

7. A legislative change that taxes all materials, rebate to counties for materials diverted from land disposal • Cap the amount a resident/business could be charged for recycling to 40 percent of the total cost of MSW/recycling collection • Simplification – rebate/credit for organic materials received/recovered • Look at what other states do to fund organics programs • Establish a “fee” for all materials not source separated • Have counties charge same “fee”, level playing field. • Adding or shifting to SCORE $ for organics • Make commercial/institutional compost hauling more affordable • Open up CAP grants to private sector for diversion Grant program schools (currently prohibited by state constitution) • Longer-term funding sources for grants Strategies - Financial

8. Recognition program for people/business who separate food materials for reuse/recycling • A separate permit category for facilities handling source separated materials • Re-examine industrial waste definitions • Landfill ban on organics • Redefine “recycling” to include food-to-people and composting (all organics) any processing that keeps it out of a landfill, excluding Waste-to-energy. • Re-define “Processing” definition • Create strong markets, such as storm water markets – (i.e. MN/DOT & counties – State Mandate?). • Mandate food-to-people and food-to-animal programs • Mandate public entities to emphasize food recycling Policy/mandates for commercial diversion • Technical Assistance for school • Enforcement/Tech. Asst for existing polices Strategies Policy

9. Regular county level meeting with generators and processors and organic farmers Work with targeted trade groups: MN Grocers Association Hospitality Association, Nursery Associations, State School Associations, etc. Education “Good Samaritan” when donating food for human consumption – part of a work shop to potential generators Develop fact sheets on organics diversion - distribute through trade organizations (diversion options, tax abatement…) Create hotline for questions on organics reuse/recycling Develop and continue a consistent message Educate potential customers Increase knowledge base of environmental benefits – link to water quality Benefits calculation – economic incentives Organics technical assistance clearinghouse Work with Minnesota extension to provide education and technical assistance Develop a public media campaign such as the waste reduction campaign Strategies Education

10. Can 15% diversion of organics be achieved?

11. Mixed Non-Recyclable paper 5.8% Yard Waste (small & large) 1.3% Food 10.5% Wood (Pallets/untreated) 2.6% Diapers 1.2% Other Organics 2.8% Total Organics 24.2% Add info (Adjusted to include recycling tonnages - does not include yard waste currently ban from landfills) 1999 Statewide SW Composition

12. Mixed Non-Recyclable paper 8.9% Yard Waste (small & large) 2.9% Food 11.1% Wood (Pallets/untreated) 5.9% Diapers 1.9% Other Organics 1.7% Total Organics 32.4% Add info (Adjusted to include recycling tonnages - does not include yard waste currently ban from landfills) 1999 Metro SW Composition

13. Depends on: • Commitment made by state and local units of government (financial, program staff, education) • Materials included (if just food waste – no; if food waste and non-recyclable paper – possibly) • Time frame for achieving diversion • Facility capacity • Education Can 15% diversion be achieved?

14. Aerobic Compost Facility capacity

15. Facility Capacity (2010)

16. Does not include non-recyclable paper as compostable • Give no credit for carbons sequestration • Gives no credit for reductions in: • water usage • fertilizer use • reduction of pesticide use WARM Issues

17. The End - Thank You