composting

February 19, 2025

SCS Engineers Organic Composting
Organic Compost

Join SCS Engineers at the 2025 Wisconsin Integrated Resource Management Conference (WIRMC) on February 26-28, 2025, at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

SCS Engineers will be presenting on a range of topics, offering expertise and fresh perspectives to help shape the future of integrated resource management. Make plans to attend and connect with industry professionals while exploring the latest advancements in the field. We look forward to seeing you at the Wisconsin Integrated Resource Management Conference!

The amount of organic waste produced in North America burdens waste management systems and, when placed in landfills, creates methane and uses up valuable landfill space. In response, municipalities and private companies are diverting organic waste from landfills and recycling them into high-quality compost. While food waste composting is theoretically simple, real-life success requires attention to detail. There is a logical series of processes and parameters, some specific to each site, to work through for communities and solid waste management organizations to avoid pitfalls and achieve their goals.

Design & Operation Considerations for Accepting Food Waste at Compost Facilities

Betsy Powers of SCS and Marcus Gamoke of Busy Bee Composting discuss the design and operation considerations critical for successfully implementing food waste composting facilities at WIRMC. Facilities with well-thought-out strategies that leverage composting technologies and engineering practices will create a sustainable and economically viable operation. We will share creative solutions to address some limiting factors private and municipal clients have faced, including feedstock and finished product transportation, equipment investments, and site staffing.

Betsy Powers
Betsy Powers is a Project Director and Professional Engineer with SCS Engineers with over 26 years of experience in the public and private solid waste management. Her expertise includes landfill, MRF and compost facility design, permitting and construction; waste characterizations; and site development.

Marcus Gamoke
Marcus owns Busy Bee Compost and is a UW-Stevens Point graduate with 9 years of experience owning and operating a composting business with four locations across the state. His facilities produce WDNR Class A standard and OMRI-certified organic compost. Marcus has experience with diverse feedstocks, composting equipment, and compost applications. In addition to being an expert composter, Marcus operates his own hauling and mobile composting services as part of his business model and is experienced with material handling, costs, and logistics.

 

 

Posted by Diane Samuels at 2:20 pm

August 16, 2024

Join SCS Engineers at SWANA Young Professionals Green Drinks, August 23rd 6-8 pm at San Pedro Square Market, where you can explore an exciting and impactful career path in sustainability and learn more about the circular economy. This is your chance to network with industry experts, enjoy drinks and appetizers, and discover unique career opportunities that make a difference in our communities by reducing waste and combating climate change. Whether you’re just starting out, considering a career transition, or simply looking to connect with others in the field, this event offers valuable insights and connections to help you engage with the circular economy. Hear from speakers representing the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), Northern California Recycling Association (NCRA), Enthalpy Analytical, SCS Engineers, Mainspring Energy, and more. Bring a friend and get ready to explore the diverse career paths this industry has to offer! Register today!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by Brianna Morgan at 9:56 am

June 19, 2024

FREE LIVE WEBINAR & Q/A

Design, Siting, & Permitting of a Municipal Compost Facility

We hope you can join SCS Engineers for our next client webinar. Feel free to share this invitation with others who may be interested!

Live on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 2:00 pm Eastern Time for 1 hour

You will receive a unique Zoom link to join the event. SCS Engineers never shares or sells your information.

The amount of organic waste produced in North America burdens waste management systems and, when placed in landfills, creates methane and uses up valuable landfill space or gets incinerated. In response, municipalities and private companies are diverting organic wastes from landfills and recycling them into high-quality compost. While theoretically simple, there is a logical series of processes and parameters, some specific to each site, to reach the goals communities and solid waste management organizations hope to achieve.

As with all SCS Client Webinars, we’re here to answer your questions throughout the forum and afterward. Our panelists take us through the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resources Recovery Authority’s (SCRRRA) proposed compost facility. This facility reflects a well-thought-out strategy that leverages advanced composting technologies and engineering practices to create a sustainable and economically viable operation.

Join SCRRRA Executive Director David Aldridge and Professional Engineer Greg McCarron as they step through the Design, Siting, & Permitting of SCRRRA’s Municipal Compost Facility. The live educational presentation is on Thursday, July 18th, at 2:00 pm (Eastern) and includes an open Q&A forum.

Composting
Greg McCarron (left) and Dave Aldridge (right) bring plenty of hands-on advice to the session.

Recommended for These Audiences

This educational, non-commercial webinar with Q&A is free and open to all who want to learn more about composting programs. We recommend this month’s discussion for private and public solid waste management, municipal government, and agency staff looking to begin or refine a composting program as part of their waste management strategy. It also provides insight to processors, compostable product manufacturers, haulers, citizens, retailers, and businesses interested in reusing what was once considered waste into a valuable commodity with environmental benefits.

A Certificate of Attendance is available on request following the live session.
You will receive a unique link to join the event. Do not share the link. SCS Engineers never shares or sells your information.

CAN’T MAKE THE LIVE SESSION? NO PROBLEM.

 

 

Posted by Diane Samuels at 4:24 pm

January 8, 2024

SCS Engineers Organic Composting
Organic Composting – permit and build a regional compost facility that will accept food and yard waste.

 

At USCC 2024 Dave Aldridge of the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resources Recovery Authority and Greg McCarron of SCS Engineers present Planning and Development of a Public Compost Facility based on a compost facility and programs when disposal capacity is nearing its limit.

The Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resources Recovery Authority (SCRRRA) is the waste management and recycling authority for its twelve member municipalities. Since 1984, SCRRRA has been responsible for implementing solid waste recovery systems, and coordinating recycling and disposal services. Due to the closure of a major waste-to-energy facility in July 2022, Connecticut has a shortfall in disposal capacity that has resulted in an estimated 860,000 tons of municipal solid waste being shipped out of state for disposal, mostly to landfills. SCRRRA estimates that disposal tipping fees will exceed $100 per ton in the near future.

The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection’s Comprehensive Materials Management Strategy recommends implementation of organics collection programs and processing facilities, in an effort to manage waste within the state. Aldridge and McCarron’s presentation covers the planning and development steps taken by SCRRRA to permit and build a regional compost facility that will accept food and yard waste. The proposed facility will accept organic material from all of its member towns and regional businesses, and produce a high-quality soil amendment for farmers and gardeners. SCRRRA will also provide finished compost, at reduced cost, to disadvantaged communities in the region, for community gardens and beautification projects.

Planning and Development of a Public Compost Facility covers the following topics:
1. Regional waste landscape.
2. Permitting and execution of an aerated static pile (ASP) pilot test.
3. Preparation of a feasibility study and pro forma.
4. Site options and considerations.
4. Local site permitting, and,
5. Next steps, including design and construction.

 

About Aldridge & McCarron: David Aldridge is the Executive Director of the Southern Connecticut Regional Resources Recovery Authority responsible for implementing solid waste recovery systems, recycling, and disposal services in twelve Connecticut municipalities with a population base of 230,000. Dave has been the Executive Director of SCRRRA for over 12 years, responsible for all financial, administrative and operational functions of the Authority using his 25 year background as a logistics industry executive responsible for transportation and distribution with expertise in process improvement and operational efficiency.

Gregory McCarronAs a Vice President, Greg McCarron is responsible for overseeing SCS’s nationwide organics management practice. He works closely with SCS’s national and regional clients, completing projects covering all aspects of solid waste management, including composting and anaerobic digestion. Typical these include designing, permitting, constructing, and operating compost and anaerobic digestion systems and facilities for public and private clients. His experience includes operations, project management, design, permitting, regulatory support, construction oversight, system start-up, economic analysis, and technology assessments. Reach out to Greg at m or on LinkedIn.

Both speakers are engaged with many associations, coalitions, and committees focusing on leading edge waste management in the U.S. including the US Composting Council.

 

 

 

Posted by Diane Samuels at 6:00 am

November 9, 2023

compost conference 2024

This informative day will include keynote speakers, breakout sessions, networking, a catered lunch, and exhibitors. Attendees will benefit from a variety of themed breakout sessions providing education on composting related to the basics, home, farm, municipal, schools, and medium to large scale operations. The event will highlight how composting can benefit local communities, businesses, the environment, and improve climate resiliency.

SCS experts plan to attend – come find us and talk about  your composting needs!

Click for more conference details and registration information

 

 

Posted by Laura Dorn at 4:38 pm

October 31, 2023

SCS Engineers is a Silver Sponsor of the 2024 Wisconsin Integrated Resource Management Conference at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, February 28-March 1.

WIRMC is a great local opportunity for continuing education and networking opportunities. The conference offers a great mix of technical discussion, emerging technologies, practices, and networking with other industry professionals, such as SCS Engineers (visit us at Booth 41).

AROW-Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin, SWANA-Solid Waste Association of North America, and WCSWMA-Wisconsin Counties Solid Waste Management Association jointly host the statewide conference.

Look for this highlight session featuring SCS Project Manager Chris Jimieson:

Track Session II, Thursday, February 29 (2:30 pm)

Chris Jimieson co-presenting “Engaging New Strategies and New Audiences to Increase Waste Reduction” with Samantha Worden of Sustain Dane and Baltazar De Anda Santana of Latino Academy of Workforce Development, Inc.

wisconsin integrated resource management conference
Recovering recyclables

This session covers environmental equity, recovery of more recyclables, composting education and outreach, waste reduction/zero waste in recycling, and recycling education. Active participation and engagement in waste reduction efforts increase recycling. Three projects highlight the role of engaging education strategies, workshops, and community events in empowering Latinx, school, and neighborhood communities. Learn how the tools and behavioral communications strategies can be replicated in your waste reduction efforts, spreading the ripple effect of impact.

There’s plenty more on the Wisconsin Integrated Resource Management Conference agenda! Check here for the latest.

 

 

 

Posted by Laura Dorn at 10:37 am

September 5, 2023

SCS Engineers is a proud sponsor of the New Mexico Recycling & Solid Waste Conference, September 19-20, at the Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown.

The conference, themed “The Value of Materials & Relationships,” will include plenary sessions, breakout sessions, an awards ceremony, exhibitors, networking opportunities and more! The conference is jointly hosted by The New Mexico Recycling Coalition and the New Mexico SWANA Roadrunner Chapter, and will cover such topics as recycling, composting, landfill operations, transfer stations, and much more!

SCS professionals are presenting at the conference, including

Michelle Leonard is discussing Organics Diversion (Tues, Sept 19, 1:30 – 3:00 pm, Breakout Session B)

Ray Huff and Tom Parker are presenting on Landfill Management (Wed, Sept 20, 9:30 – 11:00 am, Breakout Session D)

Find out more and register today!

We hope to see you there!

 

 

Posted by Laura Dorn at 5:51 pm

August 24, 2023

Learn from nationally-recognized instructors at the Compost Research & Education Foundation’s Compost Operations Training Course (COTC), September 11-15, 2023, at Booth Labs, NC State University, in Raleigh, North Carolina.

SCS Engineers Senior Project Professional, Matt Brokaw, is leading the module on Compost Site Selection & Design on September 12.

The COTC provides in-depth training from nationally-recognized instructors, and provides practical experience through hands-on activities.  Content is continuously updated to reflect location conditions and up-to-date industry practices.  Attendees can also tour local facilities to see theories put into practice.  The Training is intended for anyone who needs comprehensive instruction on commercial-scale compost production and marketing, including compost facility managers (municipal, commercial, or farm), environmental and agricultural consultants, regulators, and equipment vendors.  This week-long course provides the knowledge needed to run a composting facility successfully.

Click for more COTC details

The mission of the Compost Research & Education Foundation is to advance composting technologies, practices, and beneficial uses that support resource conservation and economic and environmental sustainability. The CREF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

 

 

Posted by Laura Dorn at 3:18 pm

August 17, 2023

Meet SCS Engineers professionals at the Iowa Society of Solid Waste Operations (ISOSWO)’s Recycling & Solid Waste Management Fall Conference, October 2-4, at the Waterloo Convention Center in Waterloo, Iowa.

The conference will feature networking opportunities, a solid waste tour and a sustainability walking tour, exhibits, and auction, and educational sessions.

Click for more details and registration information

 

Posted by Laura Dorn at 3:15 pm

April 11, 2023

SCS Engineers is hosting our 2023 Pennsylvnia Solid Waste Seminars on Tuesday, June 6 in Harrisburg, PA.

This half-day seminar is designed to provide updates on the latest regulatory, policy, and technological developments in the solid waste, landfill, landfill gas, and sustainable materials management industries.  The sessions are presented by experienced SCS professionals, and continuing education units are available.

This year, our professionals will cover these important topics:

  • Use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Landfill Gas Data Analysis and OM&M, by Justin Stevenson
  • Leachate PFAS Treatment, by Sam Cooke
  • Compost Best Management Practices, by Greg McCarron
  • Emerging LFGE Financial Drivers: eRINs, Crypto, and Funding from the Fed, by Eric Peterson
  • Indicators of Heat Generation Processes that May Cause Elevated Temperature Landfills, by David George
  • Tools to Estimate GHG Emissions from Landfills, by Lisa Wilkinson
  • Pennsylvania Regulatory Update, by Josh Roth

Lunch will be provided, followed by Disc Golf.

The seminar is intended for solid waste management professionals, landfill managers, waste/recycling managers, supervisors, and operators. For attendees already possessing solid waste management and disposal experience, topics will provide a fresh perspective and cover important regulatory and technological updates. For those new to the field, topics will cover essential information on various critical aspects of waste/ recycling program collections, transfer, processing, and disposal, as well as landfill development, operations, monitoring, and management

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Posted by Laura Dorn at 3:31 pm