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forced aeration; (c) sheet composting; (d) on-the-shelf heated bins; (e) avoid composting
altogether and directly land-apply the organic component of the wastes. Explain your choice.
13. Is there a large-scale MSW composting program in operation in your community? What
are the feedstock materials? Where is the facility located, for example, adjacent to the
transfer station or landfill? On privately-owned land? How are odors and leachate pro-
duction managed?
14. List and discuss the possible uses for finished compost. What are the benefits of MSW
composting in a community integrated waste management program? Given the time,
space requirements, energy and labor requirements, is composting economically justified
for a community?
15. For over a decade, the market value of compost has been quite low. However, many com-
munities continue to support yard waste composting programs. Explain why this is so.
16. Bench scale tests of aerobic composting were conducted on a compost feedstock with the
starting empirical formula C H O N. Pilot tests indicated that 1000 kg dry solids of the
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feedstock decreased to 245 kg dry solids by completion. The final product empirical for-
mula was determined to be C H O N. Determine the stoichiometric oxygen required to
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complete the aerobic decomposition per 1000 kg of feed.
17. At a waste handling facility, a mixture of approximately 70 metric tons of food waste and
yard waste is to be composted. The moisture content of this feedstock measures 5.5%. It
has been previously determined that an ideal moisture content for the compost pile
should be about 58%. Calculate the metric tons of water to be added to the solids to
achieve the optimum moisture content.