Understanding the fullcost benefits of composting

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• Understanding the full-cost benefits of composting

Presented by Clarissa Morawski, CM
Consulting May 15, 2008
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The Task

• Through research, attain data to assess
  composting from a full-cost accounting
  perspective.
• Measure the full-cost accounting metrics against
  landfill and energy-from-waste (EFW)

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Niagara Stats

• Foodwaste 14,861 LYB waste 32,317 total
  47,178 tonnes
• End-uses 44 lawn blend 18 compost 21 tree
  seeding 15 soil blending
• Compost facility and landfill roughly the same
  distance in terms of collection

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A 5-step process

• Apply existing models to determine GHG impact
• Use existing RTI model to determine other
  pollution impacts on the environment and human
  health (CO2e, ePM2.5, eToluene, eBenzene, eN,
  eSO2, e2-4D)
• Calculate the upstream pollution prevention
  benefits associated with compost end-use
• Monetize pollution impacts
• Calculate the true cost by off-setting actual
  costs of operations with the monetized
  environmental benefit

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Step 1 Apply existing models to determine GHG
impact
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Step 2 Determine other pollution impacts on
the environment and human health
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Benefits not accounted for

• Reduces irrigation requirements
• Retains water reduces leaching loss
• Reduces soil erosion
• Suppresses weeds and herbicide requirements
• Requires less watering
• Maintains good turf growth
• Supplies nitrogen and iron
• Can suppress grass disease and requirements for
  pesticides
• And more!

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Step 3 Calculate the upstream pollution
prevention benefits associated with compost
end-use

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Step 4 Monetize pollution impacts
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The Environmental Benefit ()
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Step 5 Calculate the true cost by off-setting
actual costs of operations with the monetized
environmental benefit
True Cost Net Cost of operations
Monetized environmental cost benefit
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True Costs
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Conclusions

• Composting results in the best economic value and
  results in the least pollution
• Every effort should be put towards source
  separation for composting before any disposal
  technologies are considered
• Those responsible for collection and/or
  management of waste streams with organics, should
  collect organics separately for composting rather
  than disposal.

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morawski_at_ca.inter.net