Iowa Waste Exchange

Reduce

A Confidential , Non-Regulatory, No Cost Reuse Program of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Recycle IDNR FABA FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GROUP

P2 SWAP IWE POLLUTION SOLID WASTE IOWA WASTE PREVENTION ALTERNATIVES EXCHANGE SERVICES PROGRAM Iowa Laws – Yard Waste Yard Waste Collection – Local Governments responsible for offering a yard waste collection program (i.e. curbside or drop-off).

Yard Waste Collection requirement is met through municipal compost facility. Compost Facility Requirements Permitting – Iowa Administrative Code 567 Chapter 105.

Written notification of intent must be received by IDNR and must include:  Location/legal description.  Landowners name, telephone number and mailing address.  Name, telephone number and address of responsible party  Annual capacity of the facility  Method of composting to be used (windrow/digestion, etc.)  Source of yard waste and bulking agents.

Compost Facility Requirements Siting

When siting a new compost facility it must be located:  500 feet from any existing residence  200 feet from public wells  100 feet from private wells  100 feet from ponds, streams, lakes or rivers.

Compost Facility Requirements Surfaces

All weather surface is required including:  Compacted soil or clay  Compact granular aggregates  Concrete  Asphalt  Compact asphalt millings  Facilities must be designed to prevent water run-off

Procedure – Large or small operation

 Adding ingredients  Maintaining proper temperature (140-160 F)  Turning  Maintaining moisture  Harvesting  Aerating (maintaining oxygen)

Compost Facility Resources Needed

 Capital Investment (land, impermeable surface, equipment).  Administrative (permitting, compliance, reporting)  Onsite labor (loading/unloading residents, or pick-up of materials, turning, grinding, etc.)  Public education and marketing.  Outlets for finished compost product – municipal use, residential use or selling of materials (If selling must report to ADALS).

Encouraging Residential Composting

Benefits  Reduce amount of yard waste going to the municipal facility thus reducing overhead. Also reduces other organics (food waste) from going to the landfill.  Assists residents in creating a value added, high quality soil amendment that can be utilized in aesthetically pleasing pursuits (beautifying your community). Vibrant gardens with no chemicals (reduces air and water contamination and saves money).  Environmentally responsible/promotes environmental stewardship.

Encouraging Residential Composting

 Sponsor/host vermicomposting/composting workshops.  Distribute vermicomposting/composting information.  Partner with other entities in encouraging residential and even business composting.  Sponsor/host bin sale or a “make your own” demonstration.

Encouraging Residential Composting

Encouraging Residential Composting

Types/Design  Static piles  Lasagna composting  Bin composting  Tumbler composting  Vermicomposting

www.rainbarrelsiowa.com Procedure – Large or small operation

 Adding ingredients  Maintaining proper temperature  Turning  Maintaining moisture  Harvesting  Aeration OR  Do Nothing Static Pile  Easier to obtain optimal temperatures over bin and tumbler composting  Nothing to build  No expense  Moveable

Lasagna Composting/Sheet Composting  Layers of “Browns and Greens”  Tilled into garden  Difficulty in winter months  Limited on materials

Bin Composting

 Can be expensive  Can make your own  Limited capacity  Good if space is an issue  Difficulty in turning  Optimal temperatures www.gdmhabitat.org Custom Bins  Three bins are best  One to fill  One for curing  One to turn others into or to draw from Tumbling Composters

 Can be expensive  Can make your own  Limited capacity  Good if space is an issue  Simple turning  Optimal temperatures Custom Tumblers

 Need more than one

 Kick the Can Composting

Vermicomposting ● Can make your own ● Limited capacity ● Optimal temperatures ● Higher maintenance Materials Recommended  Yard waste  Kitchen scraps  Paper  Cardboard/Chipboard  Air  Water

 The smaller the pieces the faster the process – i.e. shredded paper vs. whole sheets of paper Materials Not Recommended

 Meat scraps  Bones  Dairy products  Pet waste  Diseased plants  Invasive weeds

 Whole Coconuts  C:N ratio

 Should be 30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen by weight

 Equal weight of each would give you approximately 30:1 ratio for pile

I shoot for 60% Carbon and 40% Nitrogen Browns and Greens Browns (Carbon) Greens (Nitrogen) Leaves Grass clippings Dirt Plant clippings Paper/Cardboard Fertilizer Wood chips Food waste Straw Manures

Maintenance

 Active  Turn often (aeration)  Keep moist  Have proper ratio of C:N (60/40)  1 – 2 months (depending on ingredients)  Passive (Do Nothing)  May take up to 6-12 months (depending on ingredients)

Applications  Enriches soils with nutrients and minerals  Improves health and yield of plants/crops  Helps with moisture retention  Improves tilth  Assists in balancing pH in existing soils  Eliminates/reduces commercial chemical applications How Much?  For Mulching spread 1-3 inches of compost on beds in fall or spring

 As a Soil Amendment before planting new beds, use 1-3 inches dug or tilled into the soil. (Use 3 inches to improve sandy soils, or 1-2 inches for heavy clay soils) Troubleshooting

Odor Too much moisture Turn the pile Too many greens Reduce water Add browns Not heating up Not enough water Add water Not enough greens Add greens . Visits from vermin Food waste exposed No meat or dairy Meat and/or dairy in compost Bury food wastes Questions?

Contact Information

Shelene Codner Area Resource Specialist (319) 404-1942 [email protected]