HD34 - The Feasibility of a Statewide Yardwaste Composting Program for Virginia

  • Published: 1990
  • Author: Department of Waste Management
  • Enabling Authority: House Joint Resolution 395 (Regular Session, 1989)

Executive Summary:
This Study was conducted to determine the feasibility of developing and implementing a statewide program for composting yardwaste (leaves and grass clippings). The study was conducted by the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service for the Virginia Department of Waste Management as directed by the 1989 Session of the General Assembly pursuant to the House Joint Resolution No. 395.

Currently, most yardwastes are disposed of in landfills, although that practice is being reduced rapidly throughout the nation. There is a serious national crisis concerning solid waste management and the availability and cost of landfill space. As a result, local, state and federal governments are focusing attention on means of reducing municipal solid waste (MSW). It is apparent in Virginia and throughout the country that yardwaste may be a key MSW component in achieving substantial source reduction/recycling in a short time period. Typically, yardwaste is thought to comprise 15 to 20% of the MSW volume but ranges from 5 to 40%.

However, diverting yardwaste from landfills requires alternative processing (composting) and the development of uses and markets for the finished products. As a result, a major focus of this study was to evaluate the potential market for composed yardwaste, identify potential user groups and estimate the volume that could be marketed. Additional emphasis was placed on the amount of material, the suitability of yardwaste components for composing, potential reductions in MSW volumes, appropriate technologies for yardwaste composting and their costs, cost savings and the role of the private sector. A secondary focus was on the potential for removing woody waste from the waste stream. While conducting the study, it also became evident that methods to change public perception/behavior concerning the need to collect yardwaste, particularly grass clippings, should be evaluated.

METHODS

A computerized literature search conducted at Virginia Tech, identified several hundred articles, journals, manuals and books in print on the subject of composting. A complete listing of all articles, journals, books and manuals used in compiling information can be found at the end of the report.

Ten composting sites around the country were visited during the study and telephone interviews were conducted with regulators, consultants and facility operators at other locations. Three surveys were developed to determine the amount of compostable yardwaste potentially available, the perceived markets for compost and interest in composting and compost utilization. Virginia Nursery Operators, Solid Waste Management Permit Holders and Extension Agents-Agriculture were surveyed. Each survey was designed to match the area of expertise of the individual group.

Results and Recommendations-Yardwaste

The first concern for any composting program is the appropriateness of available technology. The most appropriate technology is a function of the material, available land area, nuisance potential, equipment availability, available resources, potential environmental harm and regulatory requirements. Strom and Finstein (1986) classified yardwaste composting procedures into four levels of technology based on equipment and resource requirements, composting time, land area requirement and quality of the finished product. These four levels are minimal, low, intermediate and high technologies. Based on this study, the low level of technology is best suited for small to medium localities and intermediate technology is most appropriate for medium to high population areas.

Survey results indicated that at least 83% and 81 % of the solid waste managers surveyed landfilled their leaves and grass clippings, respectively. If a conservative average of 15% yardwaste is used with an approximate total MSW volume of 6.5 million tons per year, then about one million tons or four million cubic yards of yardwaste are collected in Virginia each year with the vast majority going to landfills. The average landfill tippage fee for survey respondents was $19.63/ton. These fees should rise rapidly in the near future. Based on projected yardwaste volumes and the average tippage fee, landfill space valued at almost twenty million dollars is being used for yardwaste.

It is estimated that, if all yardwaste in Virginia were composted, 800,000 cubic yards of finished compost would be generated each year. However, efforts will be made to reduce grass clipping removal and increase backyard composting. This should result in an annual compost volume of less than 600,000 cubic yards per year. Current demand for similar materials (peat moss, organic materials in potting mixes, etc.) could account for about two thirds of that volume. Through public education, increased public sector use and other recommended programs, it is estimated that markets can be developed for all yardwaste compost. Municipalities should also encourage backyard composting as a part of their overall yardwaste management program. Participation in backyard composting will depend in part on the public's understanding of the cost and problems associated with landfilling or otherwise disposing of yardwastes.

It is apparent that yardwaste can be composted at a cost less than the current state average tippage fee ($19.63/ton). Thus, statewide composting of yardwaste is feasible and should result in substantial savings for localities. It is therefore recommended that the state prohibit the placement of leaves and grass clippings in landfills after January 1, 1995. To accomplish this goal, changes must be made in the Solid Waste Management Regulations to facilitate siting and operation of yardwaste compost facilities. Some localities may need assistance from the Virginia Resource Authority to assist with capital costs. However, there is a great deal of private sector interest in composting at rates below landfill tippage fees which could reduce capital outlay burdens on localities. To provide incentive for private composting facilities, it is recommended that low interest loans and/or tax incentives be provided for establishment of such facilities.

For the program to succeed, the technologies must be understood by state and local government and private personnel, the demand for yardwaste compost must increase and the volume of yardwaste collected (particularly grass clippings) must decrease. To increase understanding of technologies and use volume, six pilot projects with an associated public education program should be conducted. Public education on backyard composting is needed as is an educational program to reduce the removal of grass clippings.

Local governments should also be encouraged to restrict the collection of grass clippings. Finally, the Governor should issue an executive order requiring state agencies to use or have their contractors use composted yardwaste in place of comparable organic materials when available at a competitive price and an acceptable quality. This order should become effective January 1, 1991. In addition, local governments should be encouraged to require local agencies to use compost generated within that locality when appropriate.

If the recommendations of this report are implemented, the goal of removing yardwaste from landfills by 1995 can be accomplished. This will result in recycling of 15-20% of the total municipal solid waste volume in Virginia.

Results and Recommendations-Woody Waste

It is estimated that woody waste comprises 15 to 20% of the municipal solid waste volume. Disposal of woody wastes currently consists of landfilling or burning. Since woody materials decompose very slowly, composting is impractical in most cases. However, this material can be reduced in size and used in soil mixes, as mulch or as Resource Derived Fuel (RDF). Other potential uses would be for processed wood products, such as particle board or as pulp.

Virginia does not currently have a good market for RDF so the major potential use of woody waste would be mulch. However, the demand for mulch is currently filled through the use of various waste wood by-products such as shredded bark. It also appears that the total demand for mulch materials is than half the volume potentially available.

Based on this study, it is not currently feasible to recycle all woody waste. However, given the large volume of materials, the state should support programs that will lead to recycling of the material. Alternative uses of woody waste must be developed if these materials are to be recycled. Woody waste are generally not considered suitable for use in pulping or manufactured wood products (pressboard, fiberboard, etc.) because of foreign materials (soil, rocks, etc.). Additional research is needed to determine the feasibility of making woody waste suitable for these uses or developing other innovative beneficial uses.

It is recommended that a state of the art project be conducted to determine technologic constraints on uses of woody waste and to determine research needs. Based on the results of this project, research should be conducted to develop technologies that allow the use of woody waste in manufactured wood products or pulp. The potential future RDF market for woody waste should also be determined. An ongoing private sector pilot program on the controlled long term decomposition of woody waste for use as a soil amendment should also be evaluated for potential applicability.