Designing Composting Systems with GMT
Indigenous Zero Waste Technical Advisory Group works with indigenous communities in BC to set up better waste management practices. We collaborated with IZWTAG and have installed and support 5 (going onto 7!) agitated in-vessel systems to indigenous communities. I have repaired and commissioned a couple of these sites and during these visits, the necessity for these systems was evident. In BC, when food waste is dumped, wild animals will swarm the pile of rotting food. These animals take their share and fly/ scurry away, leaving droppings behind and creating a mess. The runoff from their waste used to contaminate their only water source. Processing their food waste in-vessel deters animals and contains leachate.
Compost Colorado (now owned by 5280 Waste Solutions) picks up food scraps in the Denver area and converts it into compost using two of our agitated in-vessel systems along with an aerated static pile system. The agitation does a great job of breaking material down quick and creating a homogenous mix. The aerated static pile control system tracks PFRP and adjusts airflow depending on the pile’s temperature. I worked on the production of the in-vessel control systems, along with ongoing repairs. I also worked on the design of their aerated static pile site layout and the design, production and installation of the aerated static pile control system.
Dirt Hugger is a turned aerated facility in Dallesport, WA that processes over 60,000 tons of material and can now process more with GMT’s added aeration control system. I worked on the design and installation of their latest controls that adds aeration to their curing pad where they will hit PFRP. We also installed our latest temperature probe design, which I was a part of developing.
Live Nation is working on going Zero Waste, and one step they are taking is to start composting. We installed their first composting system for one of their venues in Florida. Their feedstock was challenging as their food waste was mixed with compostable packaging and lots of liquid. I worked closely with their team to improve their recipe and make sure this system was a good pilot project for the rest of their venues.
The City of Billings and the City of Seattle are composting biosolids using an aerated static pile systems provided by GMT. I worked on various parts of design, production, installation and training for these systems.
