In the previous months’ newsletter articles we outlined the process of home composting and how to set up a home compost system. I thought it would be interesting to see a pictorial process of how the BIG BOYS do it at the commercial composting level with an example from Marist College and Greenway Environmental Services in New York.
I had the privilege to listen in on a webinar given by the Marist College and Greenway Environmental Services. Marist College has been composting food waste at campus dining service locations since 2007 and recently passed a milestone of one million pounds diverted from the landfill!
So, how did they do it?
Food waste from the campus dining facilities is placed in large green bins (lined with commercial size BioBags). The food waste is then collected and delivered to Greenway Environmental Services where it undergoes a 4-step process.
Step 1: The bags are received and inspected for any contaminates. (contaminates – items that cannot be composted)
Step 2: The food waste along with other compostables i.e. BioBags are blended with hot compost at a high temperature that allows Greenway to handle materials that home composters usually stay away from like raw meats and bones.
Step 3: Turning: the compost is turned regularly by special compost turning equipment or industrial loaders.
Step 4: After a few months of the curing process, sometimes mere days at highly efficient facilities, the compost is screened through a half-inch screen and then packaged and sold to consumers or in the case of Marist College, given back to beautify their campus.
Step 2: The food waste along with other compostables i.e. BioBags are blended with hot compost at a high temperature that allows Greenway to handle materials that home composters usually stay away from like raw meats and bones.
Step 3: Turning: the compost is turned regularly by special compost turning equipment or industrial loaders.
Step 4: After a few months of the curing process, sometimes mere days at highly efficient facilities, the compost is screened through a half-inch screen and then packaged and sold to consumers or in the case of Marist College, given back to beautify their campus.
*Photos credit and references – Marist College and Greenway Environmental Services
We thank Marist College for choosing BioBag compostable bags in their mission of collecting food waste and look forward to a million more pounds diverted!
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