Does Centralized Composting Offer Solutions to Problem Packaging?

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Does Centralized CompostingOffer Solutions
toProblem Packaging?
Association of Material Recycling Coordinators

• Presented by
• John Haanstra
• Vice President, Environmental
• Maple Reinders Group

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What is Centralized Composting?

• A large centralized plant (30 to 100,000
  tonnes/annum)
• Shredding and mixing of organic materials for
  optimal C/N ratio
• Able process large quantities of food waste and
  tolerate a significant percentage of none
  organics
• Odour control
• Complete control of process parameters
• Assurance of pasteurization
• Optimal end product screening
• Production of a marketable end product
• Ability to respond to compost market demands

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Hamilton Centralized Compost Facility
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Hamilton Centralized Compost Facility
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The Objectives of Composting

• Improving the natural environment
• Producing a beneficial product from waste
• Replenishing the organic content of soils
• Improving low production agricultural land
• Replacing artificial fertilizer
• Reducing greenhouse gas production
• Protecting the environment
• Extending the life of landfills
• Pre-treatment for incineration
• Satisfying Provincial Regulations
• Satisfying political desires

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Compostability of Waste

• Compostable waste
• Fruit and vegetable waste
• Paper products
• Leaf, yard wood waste
• Meats and diary products
• In principle, anything that does rot
• Non-Compostable waste
• Plastics bags
• Plastic Food trays, containers, cutlery, etc.
• Glass
• Metals
• Textiles
• Batteries
• In principle, anything that doesnt rot

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Impacts of Large Quantities of Inert Material on
Compost Quality

• Increases the tonnes going to landfill
• Reduces the compost quality
• Inhibits production of a marketable product
• Doesnt return organics back to soils
• Reduces environmental benefit
• Not sustainable
• In other words
• Garbage in Garbage out

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Impacts of Small Quantities of Inert Material on
Compost Quality

• Minor impact on compost quality
• Some plastics can be handled
• Metals can be mechanically removed
• Glass can be screened out
• Positive impact on the environment
• Sustainable
• Best value
• High lifecycle rating and low lifecycle cost
• In other words
• Good input Good output

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Packaging

• Paper products are compostable
• Food waste is compostable
• PE and Plastic is not compostable
• Cups trays with PLA liners can be processed
• Cups trays with PE liners are problematic

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Compost Trial With Coffee Cups

• Cups with PE liners dont compost
• Cups with PLA liners do compost
• Small quantities of PE lined cups can be handled
  with proper shredding and screening

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Suggested Approach

• Establish clear objectives
• Promote the use of bio-degradable material for
  food packaging, cups trays
• Have the Province establish parameters for food
  containers, cups and trays
• Implement prudent solid waste bylaws
• Educate the public on the impacts of waste on the
  environment and the recycling programs
• Inspire politicians to take action
• Enforce solid waste bylaws

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The Short Story

• Anything that does, over time, get soggy and
  smell when wet, is compostable
• Small quantities of inerts can be handled
• Large quantities of inerts defeat the purpose of
  the effort
• Packaging can be made compostable
• Work with the Compost Industry (CCC) to determine
  the optimal approach
• Understand your main reasons for composting

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Thank You.
For additional information please contactMaple
Reinders Group2660 Argentia RoadMississauga, ON
L5N 5V4John Haanstra jhaanstra_at_maple.catel
905-821-4844