[greenyes] Composting vs. Landfillling

["Aluotto, Jeff" <Jeff.Aluotto@no.address>]

I know this has been a frequent topic of discussion on this list, but I was
hoping someone might have some information I could use.  With bioreactor
landfills (or landfills that attempt to pass for them) becoming more
commonplace, I believe that those of us putting public money into yardwaste
and organics composting programs will come under increased pressure to
justify the reasons for doing so.  The argument is typically posed as "Why
spend thousands of dollars on collecting and composting yardwaste and other
organics, when the stuff is useful as a means of producing energy from
landfills and biodegrades quite easily?".  

Many organizations such as NRC have done a good job promoting the financial
and environmental benefits of recycling.  Does anyone have any information
that does the same for composting?  I know Peter has posted some good info
on the relative inefficiency of gas collection systems - but I was wondering
if anyone had any sort of life-cycle assessment on composting vs.
landfilling.  

Thanks!

Jeff  

Jeffrey W. Aluotto
Manager,
Hamilton County Solid Waste District
250 William Howard Taft
Cincinnati, OH  45219
513-946-7719 phone
513-946-7779 fax
www.hcdoes.org


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