Facility characteristics and design of windrow composting operations

Abstract

Waste disposal from all sectors of life has become a significant problem as traditional disposal methods come under economical and environmental scrutiny. As landfill space diminishes and tipping fees increase, alternative methods of waste disposal such as composting are being given more consideration by waste managers. To assist in the development of this industry, an assessment of Georgia’s existing composting infrastructure was conducted to more effectively utilize the available resources. The feasibility and design of a new composting operation are critical aspects of the facility’s long-term success. The numerous factors that impact composting process design and costs make it tedious and difficult to make accurate feasibility assessments. To address this situation, a computer program was developed which can be used to determine the feasibility of a windrow composting operation as a waste management alternative. This study covers a description of the design program and its validation compared to existing composting facilities.