ARS | Publication request: New municipal solid waste processing technology reduces volume and provides beneficial reuse applications for soil improvement and dust control

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: March 16, 2011
Publication Date: July 20, 2011
Citation: Torbert III, H.A., Gebhart, D.L., Busby, R.R. 2011. New municipal solid waste processing technology reduces volume and provides beneficial reuse applications for soil improvement and dust control. In: Kumar, S., editor. Integrated Waste Management. Rijeka, Croatia: InTech. p. 195-218.

Interpretive Summary: A garbage-processing technology has been developed that shreds, sterilizes, and separates inorganic and organic components of municipal solid waste. The technology not only greatly reduces waste volume, but the non-composted byproduct of this process, Fluff®, has the potential to be utilized as a soil amendment to improve soil conditions in highly degraded soils. This chapter describes the lifecycle processing and utilization technologies and present details describing beneficial reuses of the Fluff by-product. A key component of this technology is that the Fluff by-product can be utilized as a soil amendment to improve soil physical and chemical condition. This chapter will describe studies to analyze the chemical characteristics of the Fluff. Evaluations of the materials potential as a soil amendment will be described based on multiple studies. These studies include both laboratory analysis and multiple location field studies beneficial alternative to current waste management practices.

Technical Abstract: A garbage-processing technology has been developed that shreds, sterilizes, and separates inorganic and organic components of municipal solid waste. The technology not only greatly reduces waste volume, but the non-composted byproduct of this process, Fluff®, has the potential to be utilized as a soil amendment to improve soil conditions in highly degraded soils. This chapter describes the lifecycle processing and utilization technologies and present details describing beneficial reuses of the Fluff by-product. A key component of this technology is that the Fluff by-product can be utilized as a soil amendment to improve soil physical and chemical condition. This chapter will describe studies to analyze the chemical characteristics of the Fluff. Evaluations of the materials potential as a soil amendment will be described based on multiple studies. These studies include both laboratory analysis and multiple location field studies beneficial alternative to current waste management practices.