cayuga compost: organics collection & composting
TRANSCRIPT
THROUGHOUT TOMPKINS COUNTY200 BUSINESSES
CAYUGA COMPOST SERVICES OVER
RestaurantsMedical Institutions
Supermarkets Academic Institutions
OF FOOD SCRAPS AND YARD TRIMMINGS FROM GOING TO THE LANDFILL, PROCESSING THESE INTO A
36,991 tonsWE HAVE DIVERTED OVER
nutrient-rich soil
Soil Amendment Erosion Control
Landscaping Turf Building
Soil Remediation Bio-Filtration
Compost Uses
Composting is an all-natural process Compost is the product resulting from the controlled biological decomposition of organic matter that has been sanitized through the generation of heat and stabilized to the point that it is beneficial to plant growth. It is an organic matter resource that has the unique ability to improve the biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of soil or growing media. Compost contains plant nutrients that are released slowly for improved plant absorption.
What is Composting?
Fruits and vegetables Meat, fish and poultry Bones Dairy Eggshells Soiled paper Flower clippings Breads, pastas and grains
What is Compostable?
Plastics Glass Metal Styrofoam Milk or juice cartons Foil Chip bags Straws Stickers
What is Non-Compostable?
Ithaca College, Wegmans and Natural Upcycling also haul their organic materials to our facility each week.
Receiving Food Scraps
Municipal and residential tree trimmings are ground into wood chips with a large grinder.
Wood Chips
The wood chips and food scraps are mixed in the mixing bunker and then formed into windrows.
Mixing Wood Chips & Food Scrap
The windrows' internal temperatures are carefullymonitored each day to ensure that consistent temperatures of 140 F or greater are sustained for the proper amount of time. These temperatures successfully destroy seeds and pathogens.
Non-compostable contaminates must be eliminated at the source. Contaminates that enter our facility need to be removed by a labor- intensive, hand-picking process. We take great pride in the quality of our finished compost. Please help us to keep it an all-natural, nutrient-rich soil amendment.
Quality Control
When the windrows’ internal temperatures reach certain temperatures, our staff turns the compost with our windrow turner. Turning maintains the proper temperature and air flow to ensure complete decomposition and a sanitized and stabilized high-quality, mature compost.
Turning the Windrows
To further refine our finished compost, we use a 1/2” tromell screen which ensures a consistent, quality product.
Refining the Finished Compost
Our premium compost is sold and distributed throughout the Central New York area, for both commercial and residential use. It is available in bags or bulk, for pickup or delivery. Homeowners, landscapers, farmers, highway departments and construction companies all use and love our premium compost.
Premium Compost