Tech Environmental e-Newsletter
June 2012


 

Source Separated Organics (SSO) must be removed from the waste stream based on new state policies throughout the Northeast.

  • CTDEP is requiring that all facilities that produce 2 tons per week of SSO send it to a separate processing facility.
  • Vermont passed a law that requires diversion at the same CT & MA SSO generation rate limit of 2 tons per week in 2014 regardless of where it will be processed. Over the next six years the threshold generation will be decreased and all households will divert SSO by July 1, 2020.
  • NYCDEC is considering diversion of food waste via wastewater treatment.
  • MassDEP has called for an aggressive approach to reduce SSO by 30% by 2020, and by 80% by 2050 with a solid waste ban; this is essentially a requirement for SSO waste diversion.

These efforts will require SSO generators to significantly expand their waste diversion and storage capabilities, while recycling facilities employing anaerobic digestion (AD) and composting will need to expand their processing capacity.

The expansions will require clear permit pathways for facilities using anaerobic digestion.


Many local businesses and instututional sectors will be impacted by SSO waste diversion; targeted industries will likely include:

  • hotels;
  • convention centers;
  • supermarkets;
  • food processors;
  • large institutions; and
  • institutional food service providers.

At the end of last year, MassDEP initiated a study of public drinking and wastewater treatment facilities to determine whether diverted SSO should be sent to them for anaerobic digestion.  Currently, wastewater treatment plant digesters are a low solids digestion alternative and are only one option for digestion.  High solids digestion is more efficient and is being explored where feasible, but all forms of stabilization (including composting) will be needed to meet future demand.

CONTACT US

303 Wyman Street, Suite 295

Waltham, Massachusetts 02451

ph. 781-890-2220

fax 781-890-9451

email info@techenv.com

JORDAN DAIRY FARMS

ANAEROBIC DIGESTION IN ACTION

 

Tech Environmental was instrumental in securing the permits necessary for the first dairy farm in Massachusetts to install a food waste and cow manure-to-energy digester plant to create electricity.

Did you know that it is possible to provide one days worth of power for a house from a single cow’s daily generation of manure? Jordan Dairy Farms is the first farm in Massachusetts to install a commercial sized onsite cow manure/food waste processing facility to convert biogas to electricity. Nearly 100 percent of the waste treated is recycled, reused or converted to energy. Click here to read more...

STAFF SPOTLIGHT 

Mike Lannan is a chemical engineer with significant experience in organic waste management and nuisance potential from source separate organic (SSO) facilities.  He has worked on numerous projects involving organic waste from conception to operation.  Mr. Lannan has completed market analyses for potential facilities to determine both the availability of organic materials and final product distribution system options. He has also assisted with the development of composting and digester projects for SSO stabilization.  Mr. Lannan has designed simple static composting piles and in-vessel composting operations and has experience with both high solids and low solids anaerobic digestion. Mr. Lannan has an extensive database of potential air emissions from organic stabilization facilities.  He has provided expert testimony for SSO facilities throughout the United States.

For more information, contact Michael Lannan at mlannan@techenv.com.

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TECH ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. specializes in finding real solutions to air quality, odor control, noise and vibration, fugitive dust, and health & safety challenges. Our focused knowledge in air-quality-related fields is enhanced by a comprehensive understanding of environmental regulations and technologies. Visit our website at www.techenv.com or contact us by phone at (781) 890-2220.