Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Target audiences for this project include: Homeowners, businesses, farmers, and other citizens interested in diverting and recycling their waste; State agencies that set policy, give guidance and enforce regulation; Agriculture educators (NRCS, SWCS, CAFO planners, RC&D, Departments of Agriculture, Farm Bureau) to assist clients; Extension agents who work with us on research and outreach; Solid waste managers are involved in education and outreach as well as providing infrastructure. The composition of our audience includes male and female; African Americans, Latino, Amish, Mennonite and many others from countries around the world. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? One of the important roles CWMI plays is convening people interested in waste-related topics, bringing regulators, educators and stakeholders together to solve waste-related problems. These efforts included (1) Testing and establishing safe uses for paper fiber from the paper making process and other residuals, (2) Developing infrastructure for food scraps and food processing residuals (3) Diverting agricultural and other plastics from landfills, incineration and dumps. CWMI conducted targeted research, provided programming and assisted in policy development on these residuals related "waste" topics including recycling, composting (dilemmas with degradable plastics), waste reduction and management. Due to this research, agri-businesses have implemented different types of composting to manage waste, balance nutrients, create animal bedding and animal feed and increase their economic stability. NYS DEC and US EPA have aggressive goals to remove more "waste" from landfills and incinerators and turn that waste into a resource through value added processes. These agencies depend on CWMI to provide technical assistance to facilitate building infrastructure to manage more organics. We worked with farms and municipalities to expand the feedstock they accept, to recycle more nutrients and organic material. Homeowners, schools, restaurants, businesses and municipalities are all seeking ways to manage their organic residuals either on-site or close to home. Home composting workshops provided education for homeowners, master gardeners and businesses to start or improve on-site residuals management. We played a pivotal role in an organics management pre-conference where 65 people, including extension, solid waste management and government personnel, farmers, and other citizens learned about the opportunities available to encourage composting and diversion. Over 660 people were trained in on-site composting as well as taking full advantage of other recycling avenues. Work continues on helping 20 municipalities and farms to help build infrastructure for composting food scraps in one or more centralized facilities. Recycling Ag Plastic Program and CWMI are working on recycling plastics. CWMI is working on education, collection and building infrastructure. Over the next several years, pending funds, CWMI will help to extract more plastic from agriculture and other industries, diverting it from landfills, incineration and dumps. Plastic is being recycled into value added products but it has to be managed and stored with little contamination. The program is moving into a more independent position where it will be more market driven. There are still a lot of pieces to put into place but over 35,000 tons of plastic were recycled in 2013/14. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? In 21 events, assistance has been provided to over 1900 people including NY farmers, agricultural advisors, businesses and municipal personnel, to manage ORs and improve water quality and economics. Extension educators, veterinarians, agency staff and composters were reached with research-based information, which helps set direction for research, policy and outreach. Programs included work with USDA EPA, NYSDEC, and NYS Ag and Markets to conduct food scrap compost workshops as well as quality and marketing workshops. Collaboration with other Cornell departments plays a major role, particularly regarding characterization and use of wastes in agriculture and communities. We deliver research-based knowledge around the world, and share key information via a 5,000 person e-mail list. All resource materials and videos are accessible through eCommons@Cornell. Over this project period, websites, blogs and eCommons received over 200,000 hits. We responded to 18,600 queries through conferences, workshops and trainings, e-mails and phone calls. We worked with 32 counties in waste characterization. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Food scrap and leaves are materials that we have always worked with however, there are increased bans and a general agreement that they should be used as the organic resource they are. Food scrap collection is increasing and we are looking at value added ways to recycle them. Infrastructure compost food is slowly being built. Residuals from wet and dry digestion are being tested as well. Wet and dry digested foods can more easily be conveyed to compost operations especially in densely populated areas. Use of food scrap as animal feed is also back on the list as Ag and Markets has very specific rules for feeding livestock. For example a business has been formed around converting timed expired cafeteria food into dog biscuits. Leaves are another residual that has gone back and forth in community management. We are currently looking at mulching leaves in place vs. collecting and composting centrally. CWMI does a lot of education to encourage onsite management. If food and leaves are managed on site, we reduce labor and transportation and the property has a value added product for use in agriculture and horticulture. CWMI found three potential uses for paper residuals produced by Finch Paper, LLC; in composting, as a component of animal bedding and as a soil conditioner. Analysis of compost made with paper residuals showed the final product to be a quality compost with good moisture, organic matter, pH, bulk density and levels of N, P and K, there were no problems with soluble salts or metals. Analysis of Finch's residual indicated it could be used in the manufacture of animal bedding. Through the first two avenues of use 69,350 cubic yards (29,195 tons) of paper residuals per year have been diverted from the landfill. This waste became a resource. Evaluation of the agronomic and environmental benefits of land applying paper residuals on soil growing field corn was conducted indicating that plots with paper residuals had more available nitrogen for the plant and treated plots provided additional nitrates to the soil. In a rate trial, corn yield increased with increased rates of paper residuals up to 30 tons/acre. Laboratory leachate trials indicated that the addition of paper residuals as a soil conditioner will not contribute to groundwater pollution through leaching. In order for paper residuals (as well as other processing residuals, to be used in direct land application, we work with NYS DEC residual standards to help the producer achieve a Beneficial Use Determination (BUD). The BUD determines how the material can be used with no harm to the environment. Continental Organics; a large new aquaponics business in the Hudson Valley selling fish and vegetables has a zero waste model. CWMI is working with them to combine their fish feces with plant residuals to create a third product, compost. These residuals are now continually producing a product for use and sale.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Economics of Composting in a Small Rural City - a Sustainable System; January 27, 2014. Presentation.
New Research in Compost Benefits; January 28, 2014. Presentation.
Compost Use in Horticulture; February 6, 2014. Presentation.
Science of Composting; March 5, 2014. Presentation.
Quality of Compost: Implications of Use; March 5, 2014. Presentation.
Amendments for Soil Health; March 25, 2014. Presentation.
Manure and Mortality Composting; April 17-18, 2014. Presentation.
Soil Ecology; April 22, 2014. Presentation.
Making Compost Work for Onondaga Nation; July 9, 2014. Presentation.
Fundamentals of the Composting Process; July 31, 2014. Presentation.
Composting and System Methods; August 1, 2014. Presentation.
Onondaga Nation Compost Workshop & Tour; August 12-13, 2014. Presentation.
Compost: Characteristics to Consider for Amendment Decisions; August 14, 2014. Presentation.
Using Quality Residuals to Build Soil; September 3, 2014. Presentation.
Soils and Compost; September 8, 2014. Presentation.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Use of Carbon in Waste Management; October 11, 2013. Presentation.
Weigh and Sort; October 23, 2013. Presentation.
Weigh and Sort; November 6, 2013. Presentation.
Creating a Value-Added Product through Manure Composting; November 20, 2013. Presentation.
Use of Carbon in Waste Management; November 22, 2013. Presentation.
|
Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Target audiences for this project include: Homeowners, businesses, farmers, and other citizens interested in diverting and recycling their waste; State agencies that set policy, give guidance and enforce regulation; Agriculture educators – (NRCS, SWCS, CAFO planners, RC&D, Departments of Agriculture, Farm Bureau) to assist clients; Extension agents who work with us on research and outreach; Solid waste managers are involved in education and outreach as well as providing infrastructure. The composition of our audience includes male and female; African Americans, Latino, Amish, Mennonite and many others from countries around the world. Changes/Problems: Changes in direction: Stated Goal--Develop, release and promote the use of a web-based tool that will match OR generators with the most suitable OR end-users. We had planned to develop this however this methodology did not end up being the right solution. Instead we were identifying value added products, since they had value they were marketable and that is being done by those who are generating them, just like any other product would be marketed. Since the web tool did not seem to work our efforts were put into identifying the potential markets for different residuals. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? One of the important roles CWMI plays is convening people interested in waste-related topics, bringing regulators, educators and stakeholders together to solve waste-related problems. These efforts included (1) Testing and establishing safe uses for paper fiber from the paper making process and other residuals, (2) Developing infrastructure for food scraps and food processing residuals (3) Diverting agricultural and other plastics from landfills, incineration and dumps. CWMI conducted targeted research, provides programming and assists in policy development on these residuals related “waste” topics including recycling, composting (dilemmas with degradable plastics), waste reduction and management. Due to this research, agri-businesses have implemented different types of composting to manage waste, balance nutrients, create animal bedding and increase their economic stability. NYS DEC and US EPA have aggressive goals to remove more “waste” from landfills and incinerators and turn that waste into a resource through value added processes. These agencies depend on CWMI to provide technical assistance to facilitate building infrastructure to manage more organics. We worked with farms and municipalities to expand the feedstock they accept, to recycle more nutrients and organic material. Homeowners, schools, restaurants, businesses and municipalities are all seeking ways to manage their organic residuals either on-site or close to home. Home composting workshops provided education for homeowners, master gardeners and businesses to start or improve on-site residuals management. We played a pivotal role in an organics management pre-conference where 65 people, including extension, solid waste management and government personnel, farmers, and other citizens learned about the opportunities available to encourage composting and diversion. Over 660 people were trained in on-site composting as well as taking full advantage of other recycling avenues. Work continues on helping 20 municipalities and farms to help build infrastructure for composting food scraps in one or more centralized facilities. CWMI has taken over the leadership for the Recycling Ag Plastic Program and CWMI is working on recycling plastics in the environment. For the past year, CWMI has been transitioning the program and working on education and collection. Over the next two years, possibly longer, pending funds, CWMI will help to extract more plastic from agriculture and other industries to divert it from landfills, incineration and dumps. Plastic is being recycled into value added products but it has to be managed and stored with little contamination. The program is moving into a more independent position where it will be more market driven. There are still a lot of pieces to put into place. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? In 15 events, assistance has been provided to over 1800 people including NY farmers, agricultural advisors, businesses & municipal personnel, food waste, improving water quality & economics. Extension educators, veterinarians, agency staff and composters were reached with research-based information, which helps set direction for research, policy and outreach. Programs included work with USDA APHIS, EPA, NYSDEC, and NYS Ag & Markets on, food scrap compost workshops, quality and marketing workshops, US Compost Council, businesses, corporations and NYSDEC. Collaboration with other Cornell departments plays a major role, particularly regarding characterization and use of wastes in agriculture and communities. We deliver research-based knowledge around the world, and share key information via a 5,000 person e-mail list. All resource materials and videos are accessible through eCommons@Cornell. Over this project period, websites, Blog and eCommons received over 200,000 hits. Through conferences, workshops and trainings, 1000 people were reached with a total of 2500 contact hours. We responded to 15,600 e-mails and phone requests for information. We worked with 22 counties in waste characterization. NYS DEC and US EPA have aggressive goals to remove more “waste” from landfills and incinerators and turn that waste into a resource through value added processes. These agencies depend on CWMI to provide technical assistance to facilitate building infrastructure to manage more organics. We worked with farms and municipalities to expand the feedstock they accept, to recycle more nutrients and organic material. Homeowners, schools, restaurants, businesses and municipalities are all seeking ways to manage their organic residuals either on-site or close to home. Home composting workshops provided education for homeowners, master gardeners and businesses to start or improve on-site residuals management. We played a pivotal role in an organics management pre-conference where 65 people, including extension, solid waste management and government personnel, farmers, and other citizens learned about the opportunities available to encourage composting and diversion. Over 660 people were trained in on-site composting as well as taking full advantage of other recycling avenues. Work continues on helping 20 municipalities and farms to help build infrastructure for composting food scraps in one or more centralized facilities. CWMI has taken over the leadership for the Recycling Ag Plastic Program and CWMI is working on recycling plastics in the environment. For the past year, CWMI has been transitioning the program and working on education and collection. Over the next two years, possibly longer, pending funds, CWMI will help to extract more plastic from ag and other industries to divert it from landfills, incineration and dumps. Plastic is being recycled into value added products but it has to be managed and stored with little contamination. The program is moving into a more independent position where it will be more market driven. There are still a lot of pieces to put into place. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Test additional ORs for fertilizer replacement and soil conditioning value glasshouse experiments including the effects of these products on crop yield and nutritive quality. Evaluate the effects of ORs on overall soil quality using the Cornell Soil Health Test. Develop, release and promote the use of a web-based tool that will match OR generators with the most suitable OR end-users.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
CWMI found three potential uses for paper residuals produced by Finch Paper, LLC; in composting, as a component of animal bedding and as a soil conditioner. Analysis of compost made with paper residuals showed the final product to be a quality compost with good moisture, organic matter, pH, bulk density and levels of N, P and K, there were no problems with soluble salts or metals. Analysis of Finch’s residual indicated it could be used in the manufacture of animal bedding. Through the first two avenues of use 69,350 cubic yards (29,195 tons) of paper residuals per year have been diverted from the landfill. This waste became a resource. Evaluation of the agronomic and environmental benefits of land applying paper residuals on soil growing field corn was conducted indicating that plots with paper residuals had more available nitrogen for the plant and treated plots provided additional nitrates to the soil. In a rate trial, corn yield increased with increased rates of paper residuals up to 30 tons/acre. Laboratory leachate trials indicated that the addition of paper residuals as a soil conditioner will not contribute to groundwater pollution through leaching. In order for paper residuals (as well as other processing residuals, to be used in direct land application,we work with NYS DEC residual standards to help the producer achieve a Beneficial Use Determination (BUD). The BUD fdetermines how the material can be used with no harm to the environment. Continental Organics; a large new aquaponics business in the Hudson Valley selling fish and vegetables has a zero waste model. CWMI is working with them to combine their fish feces with plant residuals to create a third product, compost, for use and sale.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Alternative Use of Paper Residuals, W2170 Annual Meeting, Multi-State Hatch annual meeting group, Denver, CO.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Characterizing and Determining Beneficial Use of Paper Production Residuals that Otherwise Become Waste at Finch Paper, LLC
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Composting: How it all Works and Hands-on activities building compost bins, Puerto Rico Organics Internship Program, Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University, San Jose, PR
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Making and Using Compost to Improve Soil's Health: Producing Healthy Crops, Growing Health 2012 Cultivating Common Ground: Farms, Food and Health, The Rural Health Network of South Central New York, Binghamton, NY
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Puerto Rican garbage problem and programs in waste reduction, composting and education, Environmental Sciences Colloquium course: SNES 2000, Cornell Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Ithaca, NY
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Composting and Sustainable Systems, Agriculture and Life Sciences course 1500: Sustainability Lifestyle Practice, Cornell Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Ithaca, NY
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Organics Management: A Growing Opportunity at Home Plate, 23rd Annual New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling Conference and Trade Show, New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Cooperstown, NY
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Small Farm Composting, Small Farm Composting - Insights for Success, CCE of Ontario County, Canandaigua, NY
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Implementing Composting in St Lucia, Implementing Composting in St Lucia, Florida Association for Volunteer Action in the Caribbean and the Americas, St Lucia
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Implementing On site and Community Composting on St John, Implementing On site and Community Composting on St John, USEPA/Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University, St John
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Composting and the Carbon Footprint, Environmental Conservation course: NTRES 2010, Cornell Department of Natural Resources, Ithaca, NY
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Home Composting: the Green and Brown Alternative, Lets Garden, Cornell Cooperative Extension Seneca County, Seneca Falls, NY
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Master Composter Training and Extension Internship, CSS 4500 Master Composter Training and Extension Internship, Cornell Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Ithaca, NY
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
What Makes Good Compost? Review of the Basics of Composting. Producing Compost For Various Markets, Central New York Compost Workshop and Facility Tour, Cornell Waste Management Institute and Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District, Cortland, NY
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Composting Municipal Food Scraps, Radio interview, C-FAX 1070 Victoria, BC Canada
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Source Separation in Composting, Marketing and Use, Western NY Organics Management Workshop & Roundtable, National Recycling Council, NYS DEC, Erie County Dept of Environment & Planning, Niagara County Solid Waste Division, CCE Erie County, NE Southtowns Solid Waste Management Board, East Aurora, NY
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Rotstar Bootcamp Composting, Rotstar Bootcamp, Highfields Center for Composting, USDA Rural Development, Wolcott, VT
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Food Scrap Reduction Recovery for Food, Feed, Dehydration and Digestion Roundtable, Hudson Valley Roundtable for Sustainable Food Disposal Practices, Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University, NYS DEC, Cornell Waste Management Institute, Poughkeepsie, NY
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Composting: Need, Value, Why, Collection and Site Systems/Methods, 2013 Spring Training Event, Idaho Solid Waste Association/Solid Waste Association of North America, Boise, ID
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Island Composting Initiatives Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, 27th Annual West Coast Conference, BioCycle, San Diego, CA
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Home Composting Demonstrations, Cortland Blooms 3rd Annual Earth Day Celebration Green Fair, Sustainable Cortland, Cortland Soil and Water, Cortland Corset Building, Cultural Council, SUNY Cortland, Cortland, NY
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Home Composting, 3rd Annual Spring Greening: An Educator Conference on Green Teaching, Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Syracuse, NY
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Home Composting, Cornell Cooperative Extension Jefferson County Home Composting Workshops, Cornell Cooperative Extension Jefferson County, Watertown, NY
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Compost Site Facility Tour and Presentation, Teachers for Bioenergy and Bioproducts Professional Development, Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, Ithaca, NY
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Master Compost Course, Master Composter Course, St Lawrence County Cooperative Extension, Canton, NY
|
Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We continued to survey uncharacterized organic residuals from NYS industries and implement a multi-tiered analysis to evaluate them for use as soil amendments. Grape industry residues; leaves mulched in situ and food residuals from commercial/industrial sectors were added to residuals reported last year. We continued analyses of short-fiber paper mill residuals (PRs) from the Finch Paper Co and potential alternatives to land-filling as follows. (1) Direct soil incorporation. A field trial was installed in Washington County, NY, with collaborator Aaron Gabriel, to investigate effects of PRs on soil N dynamics, corn N uptake and yield. PR was applied at 0 or 30 t per ha on four replicate 30' x 225' plots. Soils were sampled at planting and mid-season for N analyses. Plants will be harvested in mid-October. (2) Use as a carrier medium for grass seeding. In April, 2012, six 3' x 3' plots were seeded at a rate of 10 lbs. grass seed per 1,000 square feet at two locations, Richford and Alcona, NY. Three plots were seeded on flat land and three on a slope. The seeds were mixed with PRs at rates of (seed:PR) 1:0, 1:2 and 1:3 on a dry weight basis. (3) Nutrient leaching potential of the PRs when applied to soil at 0, 2, 5, 10 and 20 t per acre was assessed and (4) potential to pyrolyze PRs was tested and characteristics of resulting char were determined. Better management of food residuals in different forms has been a major endeavor in 2012. NYS DEC and US EPA are pushing to get more food out of landfills. We worked with several entities to divert their unusable food to animal feed, organic matter digesters and stabilization through composting. Educational events, including workshops and demonstrations, have helped waste managers divert more residuals into beneficial uses. Dissemination via presentations. [Title, location, date, contact hours, role, audience, no. of participants]: Large Scale Composting, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 10/5/11, 90 min. keynote speaker and instructor, elected and local officials, students, public, 90; Large Scale Composting, SUNY Buffalo. 10/19/11, 1 hr, instructor, college students, 85; Composting Update for Solid Waste Managers, Southeast Solid Waste Managers, 10/26/11, 1 h, solid waste managers, 22; Compost and Soil Fertility, Cornell Organic Cropping Systems Project and NY Organic Dairy Initiative, 1/10/12, 4 h, speaker, ag educators, farmers, extension, 40; Composting: It's What We Do! On-Site Composting for Small to Medium Food Waste Generators, US Composting Council, 1/19/12, 25 min, speaker, composters, govt and non-profit agencies, educators, private citizens, 100; Compost Unraveled-Tips for Producing and Using Quality Compost, NOFA-NY, 1/20/12, 4 h and poster session, speaker, organic farmers, gardeners, businesses, researchers, extension educators, 80; Composting: A Simple, Effective Method to Complete the Food Cycle, Madison County Community Economic Development Committee, 2/24/12, 30 min, Instructor, green businesses, homeowners, industry experts, 80; Soil-Based Use of Residuals W2170, Western Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors, 6/25/11, 1 h, instructor, ag experiment directors, 33. PARTICIPANTS: New participants in 2011/2012. Aaron Gabriel, Capital Area Agriculture and Horticulture Program; Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency; Oneida/Herkimer Solid Waste Authority; Troy and Watervliet municipalities; Cayuga Compost (Tompkins County); Capitol District Dairy. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audiences are the farms and industries that will benefit from reuse of organic residuals that are now treated as wastes. Farms and other operations using composts developed and analyzed as part of this project will benefit from the input of nutrients and organic matter and from the soil conditioning value of the organic residuals applied.Diversion of compostable industrial "wastes" will also have follow-on environmental benefits (reduced runoff, methane emissions and costs). We all benefit from resources that are redirected from landfills and used as resources in terms of nutrients, organic matter, and general soil tilth. Many of these resources also have energy implications in terms of generating energy and avoiding energy use. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Short fiber paper residuals (PRs). (1) The field trial on soil incorporation of PRs is ongoing and will be repeated during the 2013 growing season. (2) Use as a carrier medium for grass seeding. After 10 days, there was no growth on any of the plots at the Richford, NY, site; most likely due to hard frosts and a low seeding rate. Plots were reseeded on May 6, 2012, using a seeding rate of 30 lbs. seed per 1,000 square feet and the same seed:PR ratios as given above. Grass growth after 10 days at Lacona, NY, was light but there was emergence. Growth at the Richford site did not commence until 22 days after seeding. By day 39 all plots (flat and slope, with and without PR) had approximately the same amount of growth. Trials will continue for 2 additional seasons. (3) Nutrient leaching potential of PRs. The total amounts of Na, K, B, Al, Mn, Ni, Zn, As Pb, P, Cr, Fe, Mo and S that leached in a total of eight pore volumes (150 ml ea) of leachate were determined in soil columns. Concentrations of Na, K, B, Al, Mn, Ni, Zn, As, Pb were not significantly higher than those measured in leachate from unamended soil. Only Mn exceeded established limits for drinking water when applied at rates over 5 t per acre. Linear regression of the amount of each element leached by the rate of application was not significant for any of these elements, regardless of whether or not the PR was limed. Concentrations in leachates for the rest of the elements analyzed (P, Cr, Fe, Mo and S) were significantly affected by rate of application, but not by addition of lime. For those elements that have established drinking water standards (Cr, Fe and Mo), concentrations did not exceed established limits. Use of limed or unlimed PR as a soil conditioner is highly unlikely to contribute to groundwater pollution through leaching when applied at rates up to 20 t per acre, except for unlimed PR when applied at rates exceeding 5 t per acre, where leaching of Mn above established standards could potentially occur. (4) Samples of limed and unlimed PR were pyrolyzed (argon sweep gas at 1 L per min, ramp rate 2.5 C per min, dwell time of 30 min at 500 C). Yields were 61% and 66% (w/w) for unlimed and limed PR, respectively. Stability of these chars and their value as soil amendments (including liming potential) will be tested in the coming year. Food wastes are being classified and directed into different processes. Ten municipalities in NYS are at different stages of adding commercial and residential food waste into leaf composts and other, small-scale composting operations. Collection and management issues related to accepting waste food (i.e., putrescence) are being addressed. Technical assistance is being provided. The effects of in situ mulch mowing of autumn leaves on nutrients added to soils, changes in insect pest pressure, and turf grass quality are planned for 2013. Mulch mowing leaves in situ could significantly decrease costs of transportation and off-site management as well as lower carbon footprints for municipalities.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1. We continued surveying uncharacterized organic residuals from NYS industries and began a multi-tiered analysis protocol to evaluate them for use as soil amendments. Short-fiber paper mill residuals from a newly participating paper mill in NYS; residues from the grape industry; and residuals from e2e Materials in Ithaca, NY, who manufacture composite board composed of all natural materials were added to those reported last year. 2. Finch, Pruyn & Co. produce limed and unlimed, short-fiber paper residuals (PR) as a byproduct of paper manufacturing. Currently, these residuals are land-filled, with issues arising due to leachate runoff, methane emissions and cost. Alternatives we are testing include composting, pyrolysis, and direct soil incorporation. One truck load of limed PR was delivered to the Van Alstine composting facility in Fulton, NY. We sampled and analyzed the PR for metal and trace element contents, and carbon and nitrogen contents. Six compost mixes were prepared: Piles 1-3 on 1 June, Piles 4-6 on 13 June. The compost mixes were: Pile 1, equal parts PR and silage; Pile 2, one part horse manure to two parts cow manure to two and a half parts PR; Pile 3, 100% PR; Piles 4 and 5, 1:1:1:1:1 of silage, horse manure, cow manure, produce and PR; Pile 5 was further amended with 87 gallons of H2H food hydrolysate (Daniel Morash, Marathon Capital, LLC) mixed into approximately 20 feet of the 5' wide x 4' high windrow; Pile 6, 35 yards of PR mixed with 165 gallons of H2H. All initial compost feedstocks were analyzed for percent solids, percent OM, pH, soluble salts, total N, total C, C:N ratio, plus ammonium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, and aluminum at the Cornell Nutrient Analysis Laboratory (CNAL). The piles were sampled four times during composting prior to screening the finished composts on 1 August, 2011. On 28 August 2011, Hurricane Irene flooded the Van Alstine compost facility. A tractor and other equipment, along with the shed and some of the prepared compost mixes were washed away. Piles 1 and 2, and some of Pile 6 were unaffected. These were sampled and analyzed as described above. On 15 November, a truck load of unlimed PR was delivered to the Van Alstine compost site. Three compost mixes were prepared: Pile 1.1, equal parts PRNL (paper residual not limed), horse manure, produce and silage; Pile 2.1, one part cow manure to two parts silage to one part PRNL; Pile 3.1, PRNL left to compost on its own. All compost feedstocks were sampled and sent to CNAL for analysis as described above. In addition, analyses of the PR and PRNL, including EPA Part 503 Ceiling Concentration limits, and the nutrient/ compositional analyses of the finished composts (sampled prior to the flood) were performed at the Penn State Analytical Laboratory. 3. We analyzed the composition of e2e Materials Co. residuals to determine if these would be an adequate compost feedstock. 4. We re-designed leaching columns and microbial respiration protocols to analyze the potential impact of land spreading these residuals. Results to date from all trials have been disseminated to the participating industries. PARTICIPANTS: New participants in 2010/2011 are in addition to those reported for 2009/2010. Van Alstine's Nursery/Horticultural Services, Fort Hunter, NY (composting site); Finch, Pruyn & Co., Inc., Glen Falls, NY (PR and PRNL); and e2e Materials, Ithaca, NY TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audiences are the farms and industries that will benefit from reuse of organic residuals that are now treated as wastes. In addition to the target audiences reported last year, Van Alstine's Nursery/Horticultural Services, Fort Hunter, NY, will benefit from complete analyses of all composts produced as part of our collaboration, which could enhance sales of the finished composts to users. Finch, Pruyn & Co., Inc., Glen Falls, NY, will benefit from diversion of paper residuals from landfills to productive use on farms and in horticultural operations. Farms and other operations using composts developed and analyzed as part of this project will benefit from the input of nutrients and organic matter and from the soil conditioning value of the compost applications. Diversion of compostable industrial "wastes" will also have follow-on environmental benefits (reduced runoff, methane emissions and costs). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
1. We continued to survey organic residuals with no current beneficial end use determinations (BUDs). Three additional organic residuals needing BUDs were identified and entered into our web-based organic residuals database (see prior report for details). 2. Limed and unlimed short-fiber paper mill residuals from Finch, Pruyn & Co., have proven to be good compost feedstocks in a turned windrow system, based on the extensive analyses performed by CNAL and Penn State Laboratory. Their performance in glasshouse and field trials is planned for the coming year. Only the PR and PRNL with no additional feedstocks incorporated did not compost well; this was likely due to the high C:N ratio of these materials. The results of PR and PRNL analyses for EPA Part 503 Ceiling Concentrations were within allowable ranges ( in mg per kg): As, 1.4 - 10.2; Cd, 0.4 - 1.3; Cu, 13.1 - 53.7; Pb, 6.1 - 29.4; Hg, 0.01 - 0.01; Mo, 1.0 - 1.6; Ni, 2.0 - 4.9; Se, 0.3 - 1.3; Zn, 28.0 - 70.6; PCBs, 0.03 - 0.03, with all higher values attributable to the limed PR. Starting values for PR and PRNL were: pH, 7.6 - 10.8; soluble salts (mmhos per cm), 1.36 - 2.40; % solids, 32.6 -69.2; % moisture, 67.4 - 69.2; % organic matter, 22.1 - 30.8; % total N, 0.2 - 0.8; % organic N, 0.2 - 0.8; mg per kg ammonium, 2.0 - 57.0; % carbon, 14.5 -20.9; C:N, 26.7 - 78.6; % P, 0.47 - 0.9; % K, 0.11 - 0.14; % Ca, 0.67 - 7.08; % Mg 0.07 - 0.17; % S, 0.16 -0.48; (mg per kg) Na, 191- 409; Al, 1446- 1656; Fe 1296 - 2480; and Mn, 159 - 168. Higher values were attributable to the limed PR, except C:N, % P and mg per kg Mn. The composition of the compost mixes tested yielded results that fell within current guidelines for quality composts. Ranges for these compositional analyses were as follows: pH, 8.3 - 8.4; soluble salts (mmhos per cm), 0.05 - 0.06; bulk density, 0.82 - 0.98; % moisture, 43.3 - 45.5; % organic matter, 34.0 - 42.3; % total N,1.74 - 2.65; % organic N, 1.67 - 2.57; C:N, 16.0 - 17.7; % P,0.63 - 0.68; % K, 0.85 - 0.86; mg per kg Cu,46 - 69; mg per kg Zn, 97 - 111. Compositional analyses of all tested compost mixes indicate that these are very good organic amendments for soil. Use of these residuals as a compost feedstock is proving thus far to be an environmentally-friendly alternative to disposing of them in a dedicated landfill. Current trials are testing whether or not it is necessary for the paper mill to add lime to their product prior to delivery for composting. We have begun the application process for a BUD for these materials on behalf of all operations that may take these residuals as feedstocks for composting. 3. Composite board residuals from e2e Materials also composted very well. 4. We successfully re-designed leaching columns and microbial respiration assays to measure the potential impacts of land-spreading un-composted Finch PR and PRNL.End-users of composted residuals made available as part of this project will benefit from the extensive chemical analyses of these materials.Paper residuals, whose analytical characteristics and leaching potential are within established guidelines can consider composting as a viable alternative to land-filling.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1. We initiated our planned survey of uncharacterized organic residuals from farming and industry in New York State that will be evaluated in this project for their use as soil amendments. To date these include: (i) waste from onion processing plants, including tops, skins, culled onions and dumps of unsold produce; (ii) short fiber paper mill waste, dried and intended for use as animal bedding then applied to soil; (iii) tobacco trimmings from cigarette and cigar manufacture, including tobacco dust, stems, and reclaims of rejected product; (iv) waste from yogurt processing; (v) whey from cheese processing, which is already land spread, but can pollute water supplies; (vi) digested manure; (vii) grape pomace; (viii) unprocessed fish waste from fish cleaning stations on the Great Lakes; (ix) dog and cat feces; and (x) crumb rubber. 2. We sampled and analyzed cull onions and onion skin from piles over a meter deep at an onion processing plant in Fulton, NY. This onion trash is dumped in low-lying areas currently causing serious odor problems and possible water contamination. These residues could also create disease issues for nearby fields replanted with onions. Possible uses for these waste products include charring followed by soil application or extraction for use as a pesticide. 3. We sampled short paper fiber (paper mill sludge) by itself, as well as mixed with fly ash from Akron AgProducts in Akron, NY. This material is intended for use as animal bedding. DEC has an existing BUD (Beneficial Use Determination) that requires the addition of fly ash to use the product for this purpose. These materials will be used in stalls in a dairy operation in northern NY and then used in field trials in the coming year. More comprehensive characterization of these residuals is needed, including their nutrient content and decomposition dynamics. Paper fiber sludge can be odiferous if improperly handled. Some companies use landfills designed and sited just to take this material. This is a very expensive option for organic material that could potentially be used to increase soil carbon and provide some nutrients for crop production. 4. We worked with two fish processing plants near Lake Ontario to improve their practices for handling fish waste, which can equal over 1,000,000 pounds annually. This waste is most often stabilized by composting or land-filling. High quality compost can potentially be prepared from fish waste, but it is not very stable in landfills. Enzymatic digestion prior to land application could improve its utility and eliminate odors and potential hazards associated with land filling. Co-composting with high carbon residuals could improve composting of these wastes and handling of the finished compost. Co-composting could also increase decomposition time in soil, thus releasing nutrients at a slower rate to coincide with plant needs over the cropping cycle. These options will be tested and products used in field trials in the coming year. PARTICIPANTS: Mary Swartz, Cornell Waste Management Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; Charles Hyland, MPS student, Soil and Crop Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; Warshi Dandeniya, PhD student, Soil and Crop Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; Sorbello's Onion Farm, Fulton, NY; Gregg Brown, Akron AgProducts, Akron, NY; Breyer's Yogurt, North Lawrence, NY; Smokin' Joes Factory, Lewiston, NY. TARGET AUDIENCES: Industries that could benefit from reuse of organic residuals are livestock (bedding) and fruit and vegetable (organic nutrient sources) farms, the bio-fuel industry (biomass), and landscaping and horticulture operations (compost). Industries that could benefit from identifying beneficial uses for their residues are dairy product and food processors (wastes), the agri-forestry industry, lumber mills, furniture makers and industries using wood pallets (wood waste), municipalities (yard waste), supermarkets and food service operations (food wastes), schools and other institutions (food and yard waste residues and a need for compost and mulches. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
1. The survey developed was used to begin identifying organic residuals with no current beneficial end use determinations (BUDs). Ten organic residuals needing BUDs were identified. A web-based tool that can be used by potential residual end-users and regulatory bodies was developed. This platform contains information on organic residues available, their characteristics, amounts, potential hazards and benefits, along with residual generator names and locations. The 10 organic residuals identified this year were used to begin populating this web-based platform. 2. Fresh and aged onion skins and partially decomposed dumped onions sampled in Fulton, NY, were analyzed for their nutrient contents at the Cornell Nutrient Analysis Laboratory (CNAL). Partially rotted onions contained high concentrations of P (3084 mg/kg), S (4376 mg/kg), and K (18063 mg/kg) compared to aged and fresh onion skins, which were 2 to 5 times lower in P, 3 times lower in S and 2-5 times lower in K. Conversely, fresh and aged onions skins were 2 times higher in Mg, 5 times higher in Cu, 3 times higher in Zn, 10 times higher in Ca, 11-17 times higher in Cr, 13-17 times higher in Mn, 5 times higher in Cu, 26-65 times higher in Al compared to rotted bulbs and contained trace amounts of Mo, Cd and Pb. Thus, these materials, once decomposed, are significant sources of plant nutrients. However, means must be found to use these productively. Onion skins, in particular contain significant amounts of Mg, Ca and trace metals. Yet, decomposition rates are extremely low, making release and recycling of the nutrient elements insignificant during a single cropping cycle. Greater benefits could be achieved by charring these materials and returning the charred skins to soil to improve other soil characteristics, such as cation exchange and water holding capacities. The bulbs, however, could be a valuable source of P, S and K, once composted to reduce odor and improve handling. 3. Short fiber paper residue with and without fly ash added was analyzed at CNAL. Residues amended with fly ash contained potentially toxic concentrations of Al (4630 mg/kg), Pb (105 mg/kg), As (3.53 mg/kg), Cr (14.74 mg/kg), and Cd (1.45 mg/kg), which were 3-5 times lower in unamended residues, except for As, which was not detected in residue without fly ash. The current BUD requires that fly ash be added when these residues are used as bedding to reduce the potential for pathogens to proliferate in this substrate. Our results suggest that the BUD for these residues should be re-examined. Contact of udders with the fly ash could lead to contamination of milk and contamination of soil, when spread on farm land, especially with repeated applications over time. 4. Our review of current waste handling practices at two fish processing plants in Northern NY has helped these plants improved their handling of these wastes. Potential beneficial alternative use options have been discussed. Several options will begin to be tested in the coming year.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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