Closing the Loop: Public-Private Partnerships for On-Farm Composting Programs
The authors of “Closing the Loop: Public-Private Partnerships for On-Farm Composting Programs” identify the benefits of on-farm composting programs for municipal yard trimmings and agricultural waste, including cost savings, improved farm soil water holding capacity, and reduced erosion of valuable top soil. According to this report, issued by Virginia Tech and Virginia State University (VSU), yard waste (e.g., leaves, grass trimmings, and wood chips) comprises about 15-17% of the solid waste stream. The costs of sending this otherwise compostable waste to a landfill add up. Virginia alone spends between $11 million and $50 million annually. Moreover, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia generate more than 15 million tons of animal manures a year that could be used as compost.
Sustainability Officers interested in establishing partnerships with local farms to divert organic wastes from landfills can refer to Virginia Tech’s and VSU’s report, which explains how to establish the key elements of a successful on-farm composting program, addresses potential barriers, and provides case studies of three Virginia programs. In addition, the report contains useful program cost estimate worksheets.
Waste disposal sites for solid waste from human activities.A mixture of decayed plants and other organic material that is used to enrich soil with nutrients.
