Non Technical Summary
The Moab Waste Minimization and Compost Pilot Program (located in Moab, Utah) is an innovative initiative designed to address pressing environmental, agricultural, and social challenges facing the community which includes a variety of businesses and approximately 10,000 residents. Renowned for its stunning natural landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities, southeastern Utah attracts millions of visits to national and state parks, as well as recreation areas annually. This influx of tourists has grown in recent years, with visitation to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks growing by 60% from 2011 to 2021. The City of Moab itself has 5,300 residents, but there are days where the rural city explodes to 30,000 or more tourists. Visitors flock to Moab's lively local food establishments and accommodations, leading to a surge in food waste.By implementing an in-vessel composting system, a small-scale food waste collection program, and robust community engagement strategy, the program will reduce food waste, divert food from the landfill, generate compost, improve access to local compost, reduce the need for chemical fertilizer, improve soil quality, mitigate erosion, and retain rainwater in the soil. This approach would not only ease the strain on local waste management resources but also improve the resilience and sustainability of the local food system, benefiting residents, visitors, and the long-term health of the desert environment. The proposed pilot program would be a collaborative effort between multiple entities who shared a vested interest in the introduction of a sustainable composting program: Canyonlands Solid Waste Authority (CSWA), the City of Moab, and the University of Utah - Moab Extension (USU).Over a three-year grant award period, the program will achieve objectives that include the diversion of approximately 356 cubic yards of food waste annually, reduction in soil erosion, an increase in soil water retention, and a boost in the yield and nutrition of farmed vegetables. These outcomes will be realized through the application of nutrient-rich compost to local agricultural producers, produced from food waste collected through the development of a food waste collection system targeting households, food service providers, and institutions. With the installation of the industrial composter, to be maintained and operated by CSWA at one of it's appropriately-suited facilities, the program ensures efficient processing of organic waste into consistent, quality compost, offering immediate and long-term benefits to the community.
Animal Health Component
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Research Effort Categories
Basic
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Applied
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Developmental
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Goals / Objectives
The Moab Waste Minimization and Compost Pilot Program (located in Moab, Utah) is an innovative initiative designed to address pressing environmental, agricultural, and social challenges facing the community which includes a variety of businesses and approximately 10,000 residents. Renowned for its stunning natural landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities, southeastern Utah attracts millions of visits to national and state parks, as well as recreation areas annually. This influx of tourists has grown in recent years, with visitation to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks growing by 60% from 2011 to 2021. The City of Moab itself has 5,300 residents, but there are days where the rural city explodes to 30,000 or more tourists. Visitors flock to Moab's lively local food establishments and accommodations, leading to a surge in food waste.By implementing an in-vessel composting system, a small-scale food waste collection program, and robust community engagement strategy, the program will reduce food waste, divert food from the landfill, generate compost, improve access to local compost, reduce the need for chemical fertilizer, improve soil quality, mitigate erosion, and retain rainwater in the soil. This approach would not only ease the strain on local waste management resources but also improve the resilience and sustainability of the local food system, benefiting residents, visitors, and the long-term health of the desert environment. The proposed pilot program would be a collaborative effort between multiple entities who shared a vested interest in the introduction of a sustainable composting program: Canyonlands Solid Waste Authority (CSWA), the City of Moab, and the University of Utah - Moab Extension (USU).Over a three-year grant award period, the program will achieve objectives that include the diversion of approximately 356 cubic yards of food waste annually, reduction in soil erosion, an increase in soil water retention, and a boost in the yield and nutrition of farmed vegetables. These outcomes will be realized through the application of nutrient-rich compost to local agricultural producers, produced from food waste collected through the development of a food waste collection system targeting households, food service providers, and institutions. With the installation of the industrial composter, to be maintained and operated by CSWA at one of it's appropriately-suited facilities, the program ensures efficient processing of organic waste into consistent, quality compost, offering immediate and long-term benefits to the community.CSWA plans to address the community's expressed need for a composting program while generating additional revenue by transforming food waste into a valuable resource for residents and agriculture-based businesses. Food waste currently accounts for 30% of landfill-bound volume, contributing to transportation and landfill sustainability challenges. By implementing a composting program using an in-vessel composter, CSWA aims to reduce waste transported over 25 miles to the landfill and create a new revenue stream.The pilot program will focus on partnerships with one to two large institutional generators (e.g., schools or hospitals) and food service enterprises (e.g., 98 Center and Moonflower Coop), alongside a residential food waste drop-off site. Using existing vehicles, CSWA will collect 96-gallon bins of food waste and transport them to the Moab Landfill, where an in-vessel composter will process food waste, leaves, and wood chips into high-quality compost. Compost will be sold in bulk to local farmers under purchasing agreements and bagged to the public at the landfill, local events, and businesses.The program will begin conservatively, with a 21-day retention period inside the composter and a goal of selling 70% of compost bagged and 30% in bulk. If successful, CSWA may transition to a standard 14-day retention rate, increasing throughput and allowing for additional food waste generators and bulk sales to farmers, depending on demand.If the pilot is successful, CSWA plans to expand operations with a larger-scale composting facility at the Klondike Landfill, potentially using a covered aerated static pile system to process more food and yard waste. Future developments may include partnerships with larger purchasers like the City of Moab Parks Department and Utah's Department of Transportation, extended collections for restaurants and hotels, residential drop-off expansion, and curbside compost collection services. These initiatives would significantly reduce waste, improve sustainability, and create lasting benefits for the Moab community.The program anticipates significant environmental benefits, including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, improvements in soil health, and enhanced resilience to climate-related challenges such as droughts and flash floods. Economically, farmers will reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers, lowering costs while improving crop yields and quality. Socially, the program will contribute to food security by making local produce more accessible and nutritious.By the end of the three-year pilot, the program will establish a replicable model for food waste minimization and composting, demonstrating how innovative waste management practices can create healthier soils, stronger crops, and a more resilient and sustainable community. The program not only addresses immediate challenges but also lays the groundwork for long-term environmental stewardship and economic vitality in Moab.The purpose of the Food Waste Minimization and Pilot Compost Program in Moab, Utah, is to address the community's pressing waste management, agricultural, and environmental challenges by creating a sustainable system that transforms food waste into a valuable resource. Through the installation and operation of an in-vessel composting system supplied by a small-scale food waste collection program, the initiative aims to:Reduce Food Waste: Divert approximately 156 tons of food waste annually from the landfills, minimizing transportation costs and greenhouse gas emissions while extending the lifespan of local waste management facilities.Support Local Agriculture: Produce between 356 - 504 cubic yards of finished compost per year to improve soil health, enhance water retention, and increase crop yields, benefiting local farmers and gardeners.Strengthen Community Resilience: Mitigate the impacts of climate change, including droughts and flash floods, by improving soil structure and reducing erosion through the application of nutrient-rich compost.Promote Sustainability and Education: Foster a culture of environmental stewardship by engaging residents, businesses, and institutions in food waste reduction and sustainable waste practices.Create Economic Opportunities: Establish new revenue sources for CSWA that transforms waste from the tourist economy while reducing operational costs and providing resources and financial benefits for residents and agriculture-based businesses.This program aligns with Moab's commitment to sustainability, turning a waste management challenge into an opportunity to create long-lasting economic, environmental, and social benefits for the community. By closing the loop on food waste, the program sets a precedent for sustainable practices and resilience in the face of economic and climatic challenges.
Project Methods
Measurable Objective #1: Soil Health ImprovementBaseline Assessment: The Utah State University Extension will conduct initial soil testing on participating agricultural sites (sites will be selected through the Moab Grown - a organization that connects farmers and producers within 100 miles of Moab with residents, local chefs, and retail outlets and is a key connection to ensuring the program meets its needs) to establish baseline organic matter content, pH levels, nutrient availability (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), and microbial activity. CSWA will utilize this information to tailor the initial community outreach education and the operation of the in-vessel composter to ensure the program is established appropriately.Waste Diversion and Compost Application Planning: Through assistance of USU Extension, Moab Grown, and an AmeriCorps VISTA employed with the City of Moab, the program will encourage collaboration with key community agricultural and restaurant contacts to identify waste minimization pathways and design site-specific compost application strategies. These strategies will provide suggestions for volume, frequency, and timing of compost incorporation based on crop types and soil conditions. CSWA will act as the facilitator of compost generation and distribution as well as transporter for food waste collection and processing.Monitoring and Analysis: To measure progress, the program will conduct quarterly compost testing to monitor changes in composition and related indicators. Surveys will be conducted with food waste producers, food producers, and residents to provide feedback on observed soil improvements. The anticipated outcomes include better soil aggregation, increased water retention, and enhanced fertility, laying the groundwork for sustainable and accessible agricultural practices in Moab. These surveys will also address social considerations in how the program is affecting their approach to food waste minimization, food production, and access to local food. The City of Moab, USU Extension, and Moab Grown will assist CSWA with monitoring efforts.Measurable Objective #2: Vegetable Yield and NutritionProgress can be tracked by quantitative metrics, qualitative feedback, and comparative data analysis.Quantitative metrics such as yield, nutrition, and input reduction can be measured following end of harvest with considerations made for crop yield, consumer-perceived quality improvements, and reduction in synthetic fertilizer use. Farmer and residential observations on crop vigor, disease resistance, and ease of management would facilitate qualitative feedback. Lastly, performing side-by-side comparisons between compost-treated and untreated control plots could be reported on.Measurable Objective #3: Water RetentionProgress can be tracked by quantitative metrics, qualitative feedback, and comparative data analysis.Quantitative metrics: reduction in irrigation frequency and total volume used and crop yield consistency or improvement under reduced irrigation conditions;Qualitative feedback: Agricultural producers report on irrigation practices and observed improvement in soil moisture and plant health; andComparative data analysis: Compare treated and untreated areas to quantify the specific impact of compost on water retention and irrigation needs.Measurable Objective #4: Erosion ReductionProgress can be tracked by qualitative feedback and comparative data analysis.Qualitative feedback: Agricultural observations of reduced soil loss and improved field conditions during rainfall, high winds, or extreme weather events.Comparative data analysis: Compare treated versus untreated fields, documenting erosion differences through photographic evidence.Measurable Objective #5: Compost Application and Community Engagement?Progress can be tracked by quantitative metrics, qualitative feedback, and comparative data analysis/long-term impacts.Quantitative metrics: Total amount of compost applied (e.g., tons per acre or cubic yards),improvements in soil health indicators such as organic matter, changes in crop yield, quality, and economic returns. Community engagement will be tracked through the number of workshops and field demonstrations held, total number of program participants (both in small-scale food waste diversion and collection and the pilot composting), and the number of educational materials distributed.Qualitative feedback: Agricultural producer testimonials on the ease of use, observed benefits, and areas for improvement in compost application. Participant surveys to assess satisfaction, knowledge gained and intended actions following workshops and/or the conclusion of the pilot program.Comparative data analysis/long-term impacts: Evaluate difference in soil and crop performance between compost-treated areas and untreated and track follow-up actions by participants, such as starting home composting, using compost in gardens, or promoting composting initiatives in their communities.