Ecotone Renewables’ Post

Nearly seven years after its passage, municipalities across California are working to get in compliance with SB 1383. The law set an ambitious target to reduce organic waste disposal 75% by 2025. The pandemic delayed the law’s implementation. After it took effect in 2022, 126 cities and counties have asked for more time for implementation, the Los Angeles Times reported. Below are three developments that may bring jurisdictions closer to meeting their targets. Organics waste recycler Agromin announced a pair of partnerships this summer to help jurisdictions comply with SB 1383 requirements. The company launched a free compost and mulch giveaway program in County of Ventura in July. The program allows residents to order the products for pickup and delivery through Agromin’s website. The company then reports data to the city for compliance. This ties nicely to my blog on food waste: https://lnkd.in/gbYTds6i #composting #foodwaste #mulch #compliance #landfill #scope1 #scope2 #scope3 #ESC #climatechange

Microplastics in animal feed can be harmful when consumed. During the depackaging process, there is a risk of microplastics being present in the feed. These tiny plastic particles can enter the mammalian gut barrier and even make their way into the bloodstream, posing a chemical burden and potential health impacts. Microplastics may contain substances like arsenic, lead, and dioxins, which can be harmful to animals if ingested in high quantities. Although research is ongoing into just how big a problem this is, the first efforts are being made by the Waste Management industry to improve depackaging methods and technologies to minimize the presence of microplastics in animal feed. #biogas #biogasplant #plasticpollution #ecofriendly #ecofriendlyproducts

Contamination in FOGO remains a big issue in many FOGO trials, which is why we should never rely on a simplified one size fits all solution to organic waste. By offering localised HOCO (household and community) organic waste management systems as the first (and better) choice for residents, followed by FOGO as the catchall (for those who can't or won't compost) we can de-risk our national FOGO waste strategies. https://lnkd.in/gSBxtKau

Fraser Coast Regional Council is considering introducing an additional wheelie bin to collect green and food waste and wants to know what interest there is from residents. Although organic waste is often seen as natural, when it breaks down in our landfill without oxygen it releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas. Reducing the amount of food and green waste that goes to landfill is good for the environment with the collected organic material used to make composting products that improve soil quality. Council’s Fraser Coast Waste Strategy aimed to limit the amount of waste going to landfill, with a kerbside green/food waste collection service being one way of achieving that goal. Council is starting to explore options, and we want to know if an organics kerbside collection service is something local residents want. A short online survey is open now on Council’s Engagement Hub website at https://lnkd.in/gbUa-Pkt The survey seeks general information about what residents currently do with food and green waste and if they would use a third wheelie bin for organic waste. We’re also asking residents what size general waste and recycling wheelie bins they would want, and the frequency of services they would want if an organics kerbside collection was introduced. While we are starting the planning work and considering options now, we are still in the early stages and any potential organics collection service would be unlikely to start before 2025. The online survey is open until Sunday 24 September 2023.

WHY COMPOST VS. ANAEROBIC DIGESTION: Diverting organic matter from landfills eradicates many costs, and when done properly it can also teem with diverse rewards. For food waste, one clear diversion path forward has arisen. BACKDROP: On average, about 1/3 of what enters landfills is organic matter and this is having a massive impact on a shrinking planet.  When organic waste is left to rot in trash heaps potent methane gas and expensive run-off enter environments. Initial commercial scale climate-friendly food waste diversions have been a bit of just that, diversions. Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is a win in reducing these costs, but by milking-out every kilowatt-hour from each valuable caloric unit we're losing all of that regenerative horsepower coming from our kitchens and farms every week. Instead, by composting the cornucopia of biodiversity found in food waste coming from all corners of the planet with that of local organic matter we can build robust, healthy soils that will better serve the community with a food waste problem in the first place!  In other words, composting enriches a nutrient-cycling process found in the perpetual energy loop of the soil-food-web, and despite AD keeping waste out of the wrong places, the process loses many of the potential rewards that would benefit us the most. AD is a band aid for refinement in a redactive system, and compost is a real Regen solution. IN OUR PARTS: We call this process of servicing communities with food waste solutions our “Compost Continuum”, and our goal with it all is to reward those local communities supplying compost production to benefit the most from adopting sound food waste strategies. Nutritious food, lasting environmental services, carbon banking, diverting waste from landfills, local jobs and economic stimulus can all be derived from a compost continuum that’s taken over a billion years to hone.  Unfortunately, for most folks compost production is still an afterthought.  As you see in the photos below, at the spacious Brick Ends Compost Farm in Hamilton, MA - it’s the only thought! #CompostTrial2024

#france: 'compost obligatoire' - Food waste is responsible for about 16% of the total #emissions from the #eu food system, according to the #europeancommission - In 2018, only 34% of the #eu’s total bio-waste was collected - As of 01-Jan-24, #organic #waste #recycling is mandatory in France under new 'compost obligatoire' rules - With support from the government’s Green Fund, municipalities must provide residents with ways to sort bio-waste, which includes food scraps, vegetable peels, expired food and garden #waste - Previously, only those who generated over 5 tonnes of #organic #waste per year were required to separate it https://lnkd.in/eq8zPqq2 #climatecrisis

Trash into Treasure; Black Soldier Fly Larvae's Superpower in Organic Waste Management Organic waste, like food scraps, might seem harmless compared to plastic waste. However, improper disposal poses significant environmental and #healththreats. When dumped in #landfills, organic matter decomposes anaerobically (without oxygen), releasing #methane, a #greenhousegas more potent than #CO2 in trapping heat. This contributes to #climatechange, accelerating #globalwarming. Overflowing landfills can contaminate surrounding soil and water sources, impacting #ecosystems and harming #humanhealth. #Organicwaste's negative effects extend beyond landfills, as improperly stored organic waste attracts #vermin like rodents and insects, which can spread diseases. Furthermore, #decomposing organic matter creates unpleasant odours and can become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria. Fortunately, initiatives like Project Mila turn this waste into a resource. Co-founder Ahmed Abeid explains their process, which involves #blacksoldierfly larvae (BSFL). The Mila team collects waste from food vendors in Mombasa County in an organised system. It feeds this waste to the fast-growing larvae, which devour vast amounts of organic waste, growing into protein-rich adult #BSF that can be used as #livestockfeed. This reduces waste and creates a sustainable alternative to traditional, resource-intensive feed sources like #fishmeal. Through #composting, a natural process that breaks down organic matter into a nutrient-rich fertilizer, the Project Mila team also diverts waste from landfills to enrich soil and promote plant growth. The end product in the BSFL process reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers, minimizing #environmentalpollution. Nusra Juriah, the project's founder, explains their plans to restructure their facility to handle larger volumes of waste. This expansion is possible after The Iris Project recognised their role as young climate innovators and financially boosted their efforts. Find this and more #Health insight in today's Daily Nation's pullout, #HeathNation https://lnkd.in/d2ZdDEez

Research review: "Potential of Black Soldier Fly Larvae in Reduction Various Types Organic Waste" Key findings: "[..] BSF larvae at temperatures up to 34C, pH 8 with a larval density of 200 larvae, feeding 100-200 mg/larvae/day for 21 days were able to reduce organic waste by 84.5% with a waste reduction index value of 4.02%, a digested feed conversion efficiency value of 16.15% and a larval survival rate of 100%. Environmental conditions, larval density, amount of waste, time of waste feeding, and type of waste fed succeeded in reducing organic waste quickly compared to other organic waste treatments." Full text: https://lnkd.in/dgYV9-7g #insects #insectfarming #insectos #insectes #farming #moscasoldadonegro #insecten #insectfarm #foodindustry #blacksoldierfly #biowaste #organicwaste #wastemanagement #sustainability #circulareconomy #circulaireeconomie #regenerativefarming #frass #fertilizer #fertilizers #sustainabledevelopment #sustainable 

Addressing the global ecological impact of microplastic particles in our food chain.

We need to have a conversation about where our green-bin organics ends up and where this material may go if we stop using our current Organics Processing Plant in Bromley. Council staff have identified five feasible short-term options that we want your feedback on: Sending organics to an alternative processor in the North Island Sending organics to Kate Valley Landfill Stay composting at the Organics Processing Plant and install an extra outdoor screen Reduce the amount of material going to the Organics Processing Plant - minimising the need for outdoor storage of material. Partial processing of material at the Organics Processing Plant – first stage of composting done indoors at the plant with second-stage processing done off-site. Before an option is decided around December, let us know what you think. Remember, each option has implications in terms of timeframes, cost, effect on rates, greenhouse gas emissions, alignment with central and local government policies, and odour risk for the local community. Read more and let us know your preference via the link below.