The Quality of Composts Implications for Use
Jean BonhotalCornell Waste Management Institute
httpcwmicsscornelledu
CornellWaste Management Institute
Why Compost
Managing Organic Waste through
Composting Reduces Volume
by 50
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It does not burn well Fills up Landfills Convert organics into a soil like product Holds soil moisture during dry seasons Helps to Suppress Plant Disease Improves soil quality
Compost = Healthy Soil = Good Food = Healthy People
Effects of erosion
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Recycling Organics Makes
Good Sense
Healthy Soils = Healthy Food
CornellWaste Management Institute4182017
Cornell Waste Management Institute
Questions Compost Buyers Might Ask
1 What feedstock are used to make compost What carbon source is used
2 Are any generated Off-Farm If yes which ones
3 Are Copper Sulfate or Formaldehyde used on farm
4 Are pesticides and herbicides used For what use
Cornell Waste Management Institute
Questions Compost Buyers Might Ask (conrsquot)
5 How long is material composted and by which method
6 Has hay or bedding been imported from midwest or west
7 Is it screened and size of screen
8 Has compost been tested Are results available
Cornell Waste Management Institute
Food
Manure
Food wasteFood processing ManureLeaf and yardwasteVineyard residualsBiosolidsFish waste
Feedstock
Organics = 60 or more of our waste stream
3262008 Cornell Waste Management Institute
Test soil nutrients Organic Material-Can you have too
much pH Know crop requirements
Crop Requirements amp Soil Testing
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Quality Issues
Low Nutrient High Carbon Organic Matter Chemicals-pesticides
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Leaf amp Yard Residuals
Inerts- garbageHerbicidesPesticidesLeadSalt Level
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Food Scrap amp Processing Residual
High in Salt Physical Contaminants Varies with Feedstock
Manure Compost
bull High in Organic Matter bull Low in contaminantsbull Little garbage or inertsbull Can be high in Pbull Pharmaceuticals
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Manure Compost SamplesAverage values for selected analytes