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How Municipal And Commercial Composting Helps The Environment

Posted on August 27, 2019 - 9:01 am
Woman in blue jeans and a blue shirt with gloves shoveling completed compost into a red bin from a large pile of commercial compost

Throughout recent years, cities have enjoyed the benefits of composting. Commercial composting operations are increasing in number as well. The process of decomposing organic waste and recycling it has financial benefits in both the municipal and private sectors. There are also benefits for the environment.

Composting can help reduce waste in landfills

Landfills are full of trash and refuse of all kinds, both manmade and natural. According to the EPA, the United States generated 66.2 million tons of wasted food from the food retail, food service, and residential sectors in 2019. Only 5% of this was composted. Food waste alone accounts for 24.1% of municipal solid waste in landfills. In Texas, 40 million tons of waste were disposed of in landfills, according to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

When municipalities remove vegetable and plant matter from landfills and compost it at facilities, it decreases pollution. When plants decay with other trash, they create an abundance of methane. So, by using plant waste for composting, you can help stop this process. The extra landfill space can be used for other waste materials instead.

Composters feed and improve the soil

Using compost benefits the soil and environment in many ways. Here are just a few.

  • Those who use the land to grow produce can return nutrients to the soil by composting. Heavy soils can be loosened, and sandy soils can hold moisture better. This allows producers and farmers to grow food in more areas around cities.
  • Composting is a great alternative to chemical fertilizers, which often pollute groundwater and rivers.
  • Using compost can reduce the need for irrigation because it helps funnel water to the roots and keep it there, too.
  • Composting secondarily benefits the soil by supporting the growth of good microorganisms and insects.
  • Wind and water erosion can be lessened in soils that have composted materials because plants have a healthier root structure.
  • Composting can help prevent water and soil pollution, which offers short-term and long-term environmental benefits.

Using natural fertilizers decreases the use of chemicals

Using compost instead of chemical fertilizers is one of the best and most direct benefits of municipal composting. Chemical fertilizers can harm the ground over time and even pose risks to wildlife and people. Compost has the same nutrients as chemical fertilizers (nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus) as well as trace minerals you can’t find elsewhere. It provides all of this without harsh additives.

Chemical fertilizers also require more energy to produce than compost. Compost can be made from everyday items such as kitchen scraps, leaves, and grass clippings, making it a sustainable alternative.

How to start a composting operation

Whether you are interested in opening a business or would like to participate in municipal composting, there are some basics you should know.

  • Make sure composting is right for you and your city. It takes work, specialized equipment, and knowledge to succeed at large-scale composting.
  • Plan for the amount of compost you need to make. This will affect the amount and type of supplies you use and the size of your equipment.
  • You will need to understand the process of composting. This can vary depending on the size of your operation and the waste materials you use.
  • Make sure to maintain and turn your compost piles or windrows. You will need to use equipment specially made for this.
  • Talk to an expert about starting your own composting operation.

Use a compost windrow turner

Using specialized equipment will make composting on a large scale easier. One common machine you can use is called a compost turner. This is used to aerate compost piles and windrows to distribute moisture and nutrients. There are many different types and sizes of compost turners and machines available. You will need to do some research to find what is best for your needs.

SCARAB windrow turners to meet your needs

If you would like to learn more about compost turners and large-scale composting, the professionals at SCARAB International can help. Our Compost Turners come in a variety of sizes and can be customized! To find out more, call us at (806) 883-7621 or send us an email today.