Best Practices for Going Green - Iowa League of Cities · Compost Facility Requirements Permitting...
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Transcript of Best Practices for Going Green - Iowa League of Cities · Compost Facility Requirements Permitting...
A Confidential ,
Non-Regulatory,
No Cost
Program of the
Iowa Department of
Natural Resources
Iowa Waste Exchange
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Recycle
IDNR
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AND
BUSINESS
ASSISTANCE
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PREVENTION
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SWAP SOLID WASTE
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PROGRAM
IWE IOWA WASTE
EXCHANGE
Iowa Laws – Yard Waste Yard Waste Collection – Local Governments
responsible for offering a yard waste collection
program (i.e. curbside or drop-off).
Yard Waste Collection requirement is met through
municipal compost facility.
Compost Facility Requirements Permitting – Iowa Administrative Code 567 Chapter
105.
Written notification of intent must be received by IDNR
and must include:
Location/legal description.
Landowners name, telephone number and mailing address.
Name, telephone number and address of responsible party
Annual capacity of the facility
Method of composting to be used (windrow/digestion, etc.)
Source of yard waste and bulking agents.
Compost Facility Requirements Siting
When siting a new compost facility it must be located:
500 feet from any existing residence
200 feet from public wells
100 feet from private wells
100 feet from ponds, streams, lakes or rivers.
Compost Facility Requirements Surfaces
All weather surface is required including:
Compacted soil or clay
Compact granular aggregates
Concrete
Asphalt
Compact asphalt millings
Facilities must be designed to prevent water run-off
Procedure – Large or small operation
Adding ingredients
Maintaining proper temperature (140-160 F)
Turning
Maintaining moisture
Harvesting
Aerating (maintaining oxygen)
Compost Facility Resources Needed
Capital Investment (land, impermeable surface, equipment).
Administrative (permitting, compliance, reporting)
Onsite labor (loading/unloading residents, or pick-up of
materials, turning, grinding, etc.)
Public education and marketing.
Outlets for finished compost product – municipal use,
residential use or selling of materials (If selling must report
to ADALS).
Encouraging Residential Composting
Benefits Reduce amount of yard waste going to the municipal facility
thus reducing overhead. Also reduces other organics (food
waste) from going to the landfill.
Assists residents in creating a value added, high quality soil
amendment that can be utilized in aesthetically pleasing
pursuits (beautifying your community). Vibrant gardens with no
chemicals (reduces air and water contamination and saves
money).
Environmentally responsible/promotes environmental
stewardship.
Encouraging Residential Composting
Sponsor/host vermicomposting/composting workshops.
Distribute vermicomposting/composting information.
Partner with other entities in encouraging residential and even
business composting.
Sponsor/host bin sale or a “make your own” demonstration.
Types/Design Static piles
Lasagna composting
Bin composting
Tumbler composting
Vermicomposting
www.rainbarrelsiowa.com
Procedure – Large or small operation
Adding ingredients
Maintaining proper temperature
Turning
Maintaining moisture
Harvesting
Aeration
OR
Do Nothing
Static Pile Easier to obtain optimal
temperatures over bin and
tumbler composting
Nothing to build
No expense
Moveable
Lasagna Composting/Sheet Composting Layers of “Browns and
Greens”
Tilled into garden
Difficulty in winter months
Limited on materials
Bin Composting Can be expensive
Can make your own
Limited capacity
Good if space is an
issue
Difficulty in turning
Optimal temperatures
www.gdmhabitat.org
Custom Bins Three bins are best
One to fill
One for curing
One to turn others into or to draw from
Tumbling Composters Can be expensive
Can make your own
Limited capacity
Good if space is an
issue
Simple turning
Optimal temperatures
Custom Tumblers
Need more than one
Kick the Can Composting
Vermicomposting ● Can make your own
● Limited capacity
● Optimal temperatures
● Higher maintenance
Materials Recommended Yard waste
Kitchen scraps
Paper
Cardboard/Chipboard
Air
Water
The smaller the pieces the faster the
process – i.e. shredded paper vs. whole
sheets of paper
Materials Not Recommended Meat scraps
Bones
Dairy products
Pet waste
Diseased plants
Invasive weeds
Whole Coconuts
C:N ratio Should be 30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen
by weight
Equal weight of each would give you
approximately 30:1 ratio for pile
I shoot for 60% Carbon and 40% Nitrogen
Browns and Greens Browns (Carbon)
Leaves
Dirt
Paper/Cardboard
Wood chips
Straw
Greens (Nitrogen)
Grass clippings
Plant clippings
Fertilizer
Food waste
Manures
Maintenance Active
Turn often (aeration)
Keep moist
Have proper ratio of C:N (60/40)
1 – 2 months (depending on ingredients)
Passive (Do Nothing)
May take up to 6-12 months (depending on ingredients)
Applications Enriches soils with nutrients and minerals
Improves health and yield of plants/crops
Helps with moisture retention
Improves tilth
Assists in balancing pH in existing soils
Eliminates/reduces commercial chemical applications
How Much? For Mulching spread 1-3 inches of compost
on beds in fall or spring
As a Soil Amendment before planting new beds, use 1-3 inches dug or tilled into the soil. (Use 3 inches to improve sandy soils, or 1-2 inches for heavy clay soils)
Troubleshooting Odor Too much moisture
Too many greens
Turn the pile
Reduce water
Add browns
Not heating up Not enough water
Not enough greens
.
Add water
Add greens
Visits from vermin Food waste exposed
Meat and/or dairy in compost
No meat or dairy
Bury food wastes
Questions? Contact Information
Shelene Codner
Area Resource Specialist
(319) 404-1942
