Managing challenging organic waste streams in VT and beyond
Recently, there have been many concerns raised over contaminants in compost. Physical and chemical inputs have industry professionals and citizens alike concerned about what we may be putting on our soils. Across the nation, policy is following those concerns. Whether it's PFAS, biosolids, microplastics, or trash, the spotlight is on preventing or reducing, and managing all of it.
This VORS 2023 session provided a conversation with industry experts who discussed and answered questions on possibilities for best management for some of these more challenging organic waste streams. Questions considered:
What do we collectively do with problematic organic wastes?
Where can they be reasonably used?
What's happening upstream to try to make these organic residuals safer? What are the opportunities and limitations?
Panelists:
Andrew Carpenter, Northern Tilth, LLC
Josh Kelly, ANR DEC
Eamon Twohig, ANR DEC
Josh Tyler, CSWD
Facilitator: Natasha Duarte, CAV
Video time stamps:
00:00 VORS introduction from Natasha Duarte
2:41 Introduction to the topic, Natasha Duarte, CAV
7:09 Introduction of panelists
10:28 Opening remarks from Andrew Carpenter, Northern Tilth, LLC
16:33 Opening remarks from Josh Kelly, ANR DEC
20:50 Opening remarks from Eamon Twohig, ANR DEC
26:42 Opening remarks from Dan Goossen, CSWD
31:36 Discussion
1:16:16 Closing comments from panelists
Shared resources:
VT State Law that will ban PFAS in food packaging
As of July 1, 2023 "(a) A manufacturer, supplier, or distributor shall not manufacture, sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or distribute for use in this State a food package to which PFAS have been intentionally added and are present in any amount."
CAV’s Compost Conversation PFAS and how these "forever chemicals" impact the composting industry (25 August 2022)
US Center for Disease Control (CDC). National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals.
