Open Windrow

Compost Operations

and Contamination IssuesGreg McCarron

MassRecycle R3 Conference

March 30, 2015

Topics

• Site overview

• Base operations

• Food operations, focus on contamination

• Screening results

Site Overview

• Sam White and Sons

– Middleboro (also in Medfield, Newton)

– Mulch and compost production for over 10 years

– 36 acres total

– 3 levels: compost; soil mixing; wood shredding

• SCS Involvement

– Design, permit, operate for composting

– General Permit for food; <105 tons per week

– Operations start: October 1, 2013; yard only

– Limited food deliveries to date

Incoming Material; Land Area

• 2013-2014 Operations

– Leaves, grass, horse manure, cranberry waste

– Level 1: 3.0 acres, including perimeter access

– Average 2 batches per windrow slot

– 16,000 cy total, incoming material

2014-2015 Operations

Max width, plow to plow, 18 feet, 8 inches

Max

height

9 feet

2 inches;

Turner Operations

• Process rate: 3000 cy per hour

– Komptech: 4600 cy per hour

– Dependent on windrow size and condition

• Fuel rate: 8 gallons per hour

End Aisle

width:

25 feet

Toe

to

toe:

5

feet

Food Operations

• Incoming food bunker

• Mixer truck

• Issue: plastic contamination

• Focus on one load: received in September

2014 and screened in March 2015

Food Bunker

21 cubic yards

Twin vertical

augers

Screening

• McCloskey 6/21 trommel screen (barrel is 6

feet in diameter X 21 feet in length)

• First half is ¾-inch and the second half is ½-

inch

• Food windrow screened on Tuesday, March

24

Summary

• Good source separation and clean loads

are always best

• Added cost for disposal of contaminants

• Use of compost turner and screen handles

some contamination

• End-use compost market will be final arbiter

• Plan to evaluate contamination issues

further