What is organics recycling?: organics recycling is conventionally known as composting: it’s a natural process in which micro-organisms and macro- organisms break down organic material, typically yard debris and ood scraps, into a dark crumbly soil amendment. Examples oorganics recycling occurring naturally are around us every day: leaves that all rom the trees break down and return to the soil; bananas beginning to turn brown on your counter have begun to compost. Compost happens everywhere. Commercial composting operations take the natural process and gain eciencies through monitoring airfow and moisture content. Organic materials get introduced to the system, get processed or composted, then they get returned to local arms and gardens. This process is oten reerred to as the “Organic Cycle”—it’s a cycle ocarbon, energy and nutrients. A newly recognized, value-added component to organics recycling is anaerobic digestion. Like composting it’s a naturally occurring process. In a gas tight vessel, naturally occurring bacteria turn the sugars, starches and ats into biogas, a renewable natural gas. The Organic Cycle stays intact with anaerobic digestion: ater the digestion process the nutrients get returned to soil through natural ertilizers or compost-based soil products. Liquid ertilizers can also serve as a source onutrients or elds and crops. What are the benefits of organics recycling to those involved?: The benets to composting are nearly endless. The process oorganics recycling benets each stakeholder. Haulers don’t have to transport organic waste to distant landlls. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with both transportation and landll disposal. Communities are able to reach their recycling targets by sorting out the organic raction othe waste st ream. Farms, gardens, nurseries, publ ic works and stormwater control projects then have access to high-quality , nutrient-rich soil and compost products. Residents and businesses benet rom generating less- stinky trash, and having ewer trips to the curb ithey decide to backyard compost. The products oorganics recycling benet the soil and surroundings. Compost improves soil structure and plant growth by: • Replenishing and storing organic nutrients in forms available to plants • Reducing erosion and water run-offRTL| Recycling | T ranser St ations | Landflls Q&A Organics Recycling as a Long-T erm Sustainable Solution HvPw, dhhxuvuf, duhp: recycling organic materials. The “Organic Cycle” maximizes the value of the carbon, energy and nutrients in organic materials. Images courtesy of Harvest Power . 44WasteAdvantage Magazine February 2012 As Seen In www.w.
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