mr organics agresourcecompost

MassRecycle Recycling and Organics Conference

March 27, 2012

Geoff Kuter, Ph.D. Agresource Inc.

www.Agresourceinc.com

Since 1984, providing organic waste management services

• Land apply wastewater and water treatment residuals from municipal and industrial sources.

• Operate regional composting facility in Ipswich MA.

• Compost marketing services for municipal and private facilities.

Agresource Inc. 100 Main St. Amesbury MA 01913 www.agresourceinc.com

Compost Marketing ServicesFacilities in: ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI, NY, NJ,

and PA Composts from:Municipal Biosolids, Leaf and Yard Wastes, Food Wastes and Food Processing Residuals, and Manures

Agresource Inc. 100 Main St. Amesbury MA 01913 800-313-3320 www.agresourceinc.com

Marketing Requires: Understanding customer needs and expectations

Ability to maintain consistent quality

Ability to deliver product to customers


Different Ways to Make Compost


Putting organic matter in a pile and letting it decay is not composting


What is Compost?Compost is a Soil Amendment that:

Provides organic matterSupplies nutrients Stimulates microbial activity

Compost is not:Top soil or loamFertilizerPesticide or a biological control agent


Compost Quality Not all composts are the sameMoisture content Texture and particle size Organic matter contentpH, soluble salts, and nutrients


Compost QualityProduct characteristics depend upon:

Feedstocks: Biosolids vs. Food Wastes vs. Manures

Bulking Agents: Wood chips vs. Sawdust vs. Leaves

Type of processing: Screened vs. Unscreened

Age: Active vs. Aged Agresource Inc. 100 Main St. Amesbury MA 01913 800-313-3320 www.agresourceinc.com

Types of Compost(by type of feed stocks)

Leaf and Yard CompostBiosolids CompostManure CompostFood Waste CompostWood AshPaper fiber (SPF)


Compost Properties Organic Matter: Undecomposed residuals, active and dead microbes (Biomass) and the products of decomposition (Humic matter)

Nutrients: macro (N-P-K) and micro nutrients (e.g. Cu, Bo, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, etc.)

Ash and grit Agresource Inc. 100 Main St. Amesbury MA 01913 800-313-3320 www.agresourceinc.com

Compost UsesExamples of product use: Establishing lawns and turf Root zone mix for sports fieldsTop dressing lawns and sports fieldsPlanting bedsTree and shrub planting mixRoot zone mix for constructing golf greensPotting media component Soil amendment for vegetable productionWetland construction and remediationInfiltration basins for storm water management


Choosing The Right Compost for the Right Use

Finer texture for topdressing (<1/2 inch acceptable; <3/8 inch preferable)

Coarser texture for mulch (< 1 inch)pH, soluble salt: highly dependent on plant choice and application rates

Aged for potting mixesAvoid compost with high silt/clay for sports field mixes

Low nitrogen and phosphorus near water resources


Optimizing Organic Content in Soil Specifications

3% to 10% often specified3% unnecessarily low for lawn areas10% too high for lawns

5% to 8% for lawns (low traffic impact)

4% to 6% for sports fields (high traffic impact)

Balance organic content with infiltration rate

All Composts are Not the SameAll Composts are Not the Same Comparison of Different Composts

on Infiltration Rate All Mixes: 80% Sand: 20% Compost

Silt Clay Total Infiltration Rate

Compost A 3.33 % 1.06 % 4.39 % 16 In/Hr

Compost B 6.07 % 0.69 % 6.76 % 12 In/Hr

Compost C 5.43 % 2.03 % 7.46 % 4.6 In/Hr

Topdressing


Wetlands


ConclusionComposts can be used in a variety of applications as part of sustainable landscaping.

Not all composts are the same.

Match the compost to the intended use.


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