| dc.description.abstract | Yard wastes from the City of Chilton and organic wastes
from two industrial firms were combined and composted in a
pilot study. The finished compost was analyzed for: pH,
nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous, calcium, heavy metals,
organic matter content, and moisture content. Potential
markets within a 50 mile radius of the city of Chilton were
surveyed. Two facility design options were evaluated and
cost of composting using each option was determined.
Potential for alternative markets (mushroom farming) was also
evaluated.
Survey results suggest that the demand for materials
similar to the compost exists. However, there will be a need
to convince users of the advantages of compost generated by
the city to those materials that are presently being used.
Consumers may not be willing to pay any more than their
present materials costs to purchase the compost. Most
potential users surveyed had the means to transport and store
compost at their facility.
The two design options evaluated had different
objectives. One was labor intensive, the other was capital
intensive. The capital intensive option is being recommended
because of the lower overall costs. An estimate of capital
and processing costs is $17.91/cubic yard of compost. This
cost is higher than the present disposal methods that the
city and industries have for their organic wastes.
Composting of these wastes is therefore not economically
feasible.
The compost produced by the project does support
mushroom growth. Two strains of edible mushrooms did grow on
the compost mixture, providing a secondary market for the
finished product. This compost and mushroom combination
could be used to provide jobs to handicapped workers and
provide an outlet for the finished composted product. | en_US |
