GROWING THE COMPOSTING AND ORGANICS RECYCLING INDUSTRY

ORGANICS RECYCLING is a resource management system with a goal to utilize residuals to their greatest extent. For farmers, gardeners and landscapers, it means creating a compost product that economically and efficiently builds organic matter into soils and grows flourishing crops. For economic developers and company executives, it means new well-paying jobs and innovative market niches. For renewable energy, via such methods as anaerobic digestion and methane recovery, it means cutting power costs and hooking up to utility grids. To fully achieve objectives, researchers and manufacturers provide the expertise and talent to provide the right equipment for collection, processing and preparing residuals for high-value markets.



Those markets have been steadily expanding – albeit not in as smooth or steady way as all of us would hope for, but despite dips and too often challenging plateaus, the progress overall has been dramatic. One year ago, BioCycle editors reported on trends in the industry that were opening up major markets for compost and mulch products as well as biomass in general. The recognition of these trends is widespread. Just yesterday, for example, we received an advance copy of a report, Recycling Returns, prepared by ten environmental organizations and coordinated by staff at the Natural Resources Defense Council.



The report is specifically concerned with reforms to make New York City’s recycling program more cost-effective, and recommends these steps to restore and expand composting – which it calls the “greatest untapped opportunity for expanding recycling in New York City.” After wastepaper, the largest portion of New York’s residential waste – approximately 28 percent – is made up of leaves, grass, yard, food and other organic waste. “In the short term, New York City could save in excess of $12 million per year by restoring and expanding composting programs. Long-term savings in this area promise to be substantially greater.” In 2001, 47,000 tons of organic materials were composted, but in 2002, programs were eliminated in budgetary cutbacks. Now, there’s an urgent call to strengthen programs – particularly food waste composting.



As noted in our BioCycle trends analysis last April, diversion of food residuals is the next organics recycling frontier as generators and policymakers set up major diversion methods. Based on presentations at last month’s BioCycle West Coast Conference, communities and recycling companies have succeeded in capturing edible food for recovery and the residuals for composting, anaerobic digestion and other recycling methods. Discussion of new food residuals diversion projects at the 34th Annual BioCycle National Conference in Philadelphia, June 21-23, 2004, will provide fresh data on methods, cost savings and markets.



According to the Recycling Returns study, the percentage of New York City’s waste stream that is comprised of food scraps is nearly twice the national average – at 15 percent compared to nine percent nationally. Two strategies are recommended to expand recovery: For large-city institutions, it should increase use of its Riker’s Island enclosed facility which now handles 20 tons/day of kitchen and cafeteria waste at a cost of roughly$50/ton – for an annual savings of $120,000. The city’s Economic Development Corporation and Sanitation Department is considering on-site food composting at the Hunts Point Market (wholesale fruits/vegetables) in the Bronx. Another option is a collection program from residences (similar to what was done in the early 1990s in Brooklyn). This method could follow the successful program in San Francisco where residents use a three-bin system.



HOW BIG IS THE ORGANICS RECYCLING/COMPOSTING INDUSTRY?

No one knows for certain the dolar value of the various elements that comprise the organics recycling/composting industry – though calculations are well underway. We thoroughly understand its value and impact