Yard Trimmings Research Articles

Waste Prediction Approach Using Hybrid Long Short-Term Memory with Support Vector Machine

As climate change increases the risk of extreme rainfall events, concerns over flood management have also increased. To recover quickly from flood damage and prevent further consequential damage, flood waste prediction is of utmost importance. Therefore, developing a rapid and accurate prediction of flood waste generation is important in order to reduce disaster. Several approaches of flood waste classification have been proposed by various researchers, however only a few focus on prediction of flood waste. In this study, a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) approach is adapted to address these challenges. Two different raw datasets were obtained from the “Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2015” source. The datasets were for 9 years (1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2014, 2015), and are labelled as the materials generated in the Municipal Waste Stream from 1960 to 2015 and the materials Recycled and Composted in Municipal Solid Waste from 1960 to 2015. The waste types were grouped as paper and paperboard (PP), glass (GI), metals (Mt), plastics (PI), rubber and leather (RL), textiles (Tt), wood (Wd), food (Fd), yard trimmings (YT) and miscellaneous inorganic wastes (IW).

Application of sludge, organic solid wastes and yard trimmings in aerobic compost piles

The effects of different mixture ratios of sewage sludge (SS), organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) and yard trimmings (YT) on the performance of composting process were investigated in this study. The high water content and the proper carbon/nitrogen ratio make sludge ideal for this procedure, improving the characteristics of the initial composting mixture. OFMSW and YT enable the production of a quality product that may be used as a soil conditioner. Therefore, piles of about 1 m3 were prepared by mixing OFMSW, SS and YT in four different ratios (w/w) [only OFMSW, OFMSW:SS = 2:1, OFMSW:SS:YT = 3:1:2, and OFMSW:SS:YT = 4:1:2]. The piles were kept in controlled aerobic conditions for 10 weeks. The temperature of the piles was measured daily (for the first 4 weeks) and ranged between 60-70 oC, while air was provided to the piles by mechanical turning. Results showed that the pile OFMSW:SS:GW = 3:1:2 was most beneficial in composting, since its ability to accumulate and retain heat and achieve high organic matter degradation. The final compost products contained C/N ratio less than 15 indicating that achieved mature and stable products. The heavy metal contents in the final composts were several times lower than regulation limits.

Performance of five Montreal West Island home composters

Even if home composting can eliminate municipal organic waste collection, handling and treatment costs, its compost quality requires investigation outside the laboratory. A study was thus conducted to evaluate the influence of the following management practices on the compost quality produced by five backyards home composters in Montreal West Island from June to October 2010: the type and backyard location of the home composter (HC), and the rate and type of organic waste (OW) fed into the home composter. The parameters monitored were compost temperature and final characteristics including trace elements and pathogens. For all HC compost, maximum but not necessarily thermophilic temperatures were highly probable within one week of adding more than 10 kg of OW composed of equal volumes of food waste (FW) and yard trimmings (YT). Top and bottom HC perforations enhanced convective aeration but concentrated OW decomposition within the bottom layer. Fed an equal volume of FW and YT, the final HC compost had a dry and organic matter content exceeding 30%, and 50%, respectively, and a total nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium level of 2, 1 and 3 % on a dry matter basis, representing a good quality soil amendment. Clean OW feeding resulted in compost respecting Canadian and European regulations for Escherichia coli and Salmonella, irrespective of the temperature regime. For trace elements, regulatory limits may be exceeded when the home composter is fed ashes and soil. Homeowners must also be careful when applying pesticides to their lawns and gardens and then feeding the residues to the home composter.

Biodegradability of Municipal Organic Waste: A Respirometric Test

Home composting of the organic fraction of the municipal solid waste mainstream can help reduce the economic and environmental burden currently faced by urban centres. The physico-chemical properties of the organic fraction components, mainly food waste (FW) and yard trimmings (YT), govern the process effectiveness, namely its rate and extent. The objective of the study was to identify the most effective home composting formula using respirometric tests measuring oxygen uptake. Pure, binary and tertiary formulas of FW, YT and wood chips (WC) were aerated for 32 days in cells maintained at 40 °C. Results indicated that the formula composition had a significant impact on the rate and cumulative O2 uptake (p < 0.01). The binary formula of FW:YT with a wet volume fraction of 0.5:0.5 produced the highest peak O2 uptake rate (OUR) and cumulative oxygen uptake (COU) of 145 mol/h/kg dm and 28.4 mol/kg dm, respectively, followed by the tertiary formula of FW:YT:WC with a fraction of 0.33:0.33:0.33, at 115.6 mol/h/kg dm and 15.3 mol/kg dm. Considering peak OUR and COU, the binary formula of FW and YT is thus most effective in supporting an active microbial activity for a fast composting process and the generation of high temperatures. Accordingly, adding WC as bulking agent is not necessary.

Home composting of organic waste - part 2: effect of management practices

Home composting (HC) can produce safe compost if properly managed, while reducing municipal disposal costs. This project investigated the sanitary and safety impact of HC management (with/without bulking agent, batch/weekly feeding, with/without regular mixing) using the Plastic (P) and Wood (W) bins, the Rotary Drum (RD) and the Ground Pile (GP) filled with equal wet volumes of food waste (FW) and yard trimmings (YT). Thermophilic temperatures were obtained only for batch feeding. Mixing the HC compost improved thermophilic temperature duration for W with limited convective aeration, but reduced the duration for P with good convective aeration. Tested only with W and RD, BA reduced the thermophilic period by increasing the compost dry matter from 20% to 40%, lowering the pH from 6.1–7.7 to 5.7, and diluting the biodegradable organic matter. The lowest parasite and pathogen level and odours were obtained in P and GP without BA.

Home composting of organic waste - part 1: effect of home composter design

Worldwide, health and environmental considerations encourage landfill diversion of the organic fraction (OW) of municipal solid wastes, through alternative such as home composting. Of poor sanitation, and trace element and toxic hydrocarbon content (PAH) documentation, this study compared against a laboratory composter (LR), the performance (temperature regime and compost quality) of four 300 to 400 L home composting systems (HC), namely the Plastic (P) and Wood (W) Bins, the Rotary Drum (RD) and the Ground Pile (GP). All were batch loaded with the same food waste (FW) and yard trimmings (YT) mixture for uniform testing. The P and GP performed best in terms of temperature regime, followed by W and LR, while all demonstrated similar dry and organic matter and chemical oxygen demand except for RD with a higher dry matter because of poor aeration. All composts respected regulatory pathogen/parasite counts, trace element and PAH levels.

Soil Chemical, Physical, and Biological Properties of a Sandy Soil Subjected to Long-Term Organic Amendments

Although landfills are the most common destination for organic waste materials in the United States, these materials might be better utilized for compost and recycled as organic amendments. However, there is little information available on the effects on soil quality of long-term application of these materials. Over a 10-year period, we applied composted and non-composted amendments, including municipal solid waste (MSW), yard trimmings (YT), and biosolids to a sandy soil in vegetables production in a replicated design with a no amended control. Amendments increased the soil content of most nutrients including P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn as well as organic matter (OM) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) by three-fold. Effects on P and OM were restricted to the top 30 cm of the soil profile. Bulk density was decreased from 1.6 to 1.4 g.cm 3 by organic amendments, and available water-holding capacity (AWHC) was increased by 35%. Organic amendments also enhanced the overall soil microbial activity (species number and diversity), especially of the desirable groups such as heterotrophic aerobes, actinomycetes, and pseudomonads. Thus, the quality of amended soils was improved by all criteria measured, although increased P content could create a water quality concern.

An assessment of the characteristics of yard trimmings and recirculated yard trimmings used in biowaste composting

The aim of this research was to characterise samples of yard trimmings (YT) and recirculated yard trimmings (RYT) that are used to co-compost organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) taken from 18 composting facilities in Catalonia (NE Spain), to determine their contribution in the composting process, and to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of reusing RYT. We found significant differences between the characteristics of the two materials. RYT had higher pH levels, electrical conductivity, and organic and ammonium nitrogen content than YT. Nutrient content also shows an increment from YT to RYT, and in the case of P and K, this variation can be attributed to an exogenous source rather than the relative concentration during the composting process. We also found significant differences in particle size distribution and bulk density. From the results, it can be assumed that RYT could be reused in the composting process if OFMSW, YT, and RYT are used in the correct quantities to balance the mixture but they cannot totally replace the features of YT.

Chemical and biological characterization of slaughterhouse wastes compost

The chemical and biological properties of compost made from yard trimmings (YT) composted alone or mixed with slaughterhouse wastes (SHW) were evaluated in seven phases. Mixtures were weighed in a 2:1 proportion (YT:SHW) and placed in composting bins (0.91 m 2). Temperature was recorded to determine the time (d) needed to reach the first (1HC) and second heat cycles (2HC). Composting characteristics were measured at 0 d, at the peak of the 1HC and 2HC, and at maturation (0, 20, 50 and 70 d). During 1HC, bacterial isolates were cultivated in both treatments and identified using the Biolog ® System. Chemical composition was statistically analyzed using a 2 (layers of SHW) × 7 (composting phases) factorial arrangement of treatments with the ANOVA procedure of SAS. The pH was neutral for YT and ranged from 7.41 to 6.82 for SHW throughout the process. There was a decrease in organic matter (OM) and carbon (C), and a relative increase in nitrogen (N) in both treatments. At 70 d of maturation, C:N values were similar between treatments, but lower ( P > 0.05) than the initial values. Final N concentration was higher ( P > 0.05) for the treatment with SHW. Only the SHW treatment exhibited thermophilic temperatures. At the 1HC in both treatments, different populations of bacteria responsible for the breakdown of OM were identified showing an active heterogeneous population. The presence of pathogenic microorganisms was not detected in treatments containing SHW.

Yard Trimming-Biosolids Compost: Possible Alternative to Sphagnum Peat Moss in Tomato Transplant Production

Large volumes of yard trimmings (YT) and biosolids (BS) co-compost have recently become available to the Florida vegetable industry. Compost used as vegetable transplant medium may be less expensive than traditional Sphagnum peat moss, since it can be locally produced. ‘Agriset 761’ tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seed were sown in five combinations of compost, peat, and vermiculite amended media: 0:70:30 (control), 18:52:30, 35:35:30, 52:18:30, and 70:0:30 % by weight, respectively. The experiment was repeated 3 times over a one-year period to accommodate the Florida transplant production season. YT-BS compost were sieved to a particle size less than 2.4 mm (33 % by weight) to be utilized as a transplant media.The YT-BS compost had a high initial EC that restricted plant growth in one of the three batches used. By mixing YT-BS compost with peat and vermiculite the EC was reduced to an optimal 0 to 2 dS·m−1 in the Fall 1997 and Spring 1998a experiments, but not for Spring 1998b.Transplant media with YT-BS compost increased tomato seedling leaf area and shoot dry weight 21, 28, and 35 DAS (days after seeding) compared with the control. Additionally, YT-BS compost increased root dry weight 28 DAS and final stem diameter 35 DAS compared to the untreated control. Leaf area and shoot dry weight 21 DAS and shoot and root dry weight 28 DAS decreased linearly as compost rate increased. Although root dry weight differences among YT-BS compost rates 21 and 28 DAS were evident, these differences disappeared 35 DAS indicating no effect of compost rate on transplant characteristics. Number of leaves 21, 28 and 35 DAS were similar among all treatments. Utilization of YT-BS compost in the Spring 1998a experiment at any rate provided a slow-release source of nutrients that produced a tomato transplant with higher quality characteristics compared with the traditional peat:vermiculite medium and mineral fertilizer application. Once transplanted to the field, the differences that existed in the transplants grown in compost amended soilless medium disappeared. Fruit yields and size (i.e., large, extra-large, average fruit weight) between the control and compost treatments or among the compost rates were similar, except for the third harvest where the control had more tomato size medium than YT-BS compost treatments.The results suggest that YT-BS compost can be used as an alternative to peat media for tomato transplant production, and that the percentage of substitution for peat is not critical. However, a lack of product physical and chemical consistency would compromise vegetable transplant and bedding plant production. Our results indicate more quality control is required with this YT-BS compost before it can be used wholesale in these markets.

Yard Trimmings–Biosolids Co-compost can Substitute for Sphagnum Peatmoss in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Transplant Media

Large volumes of a compost made by mixing and co-composting yard trimmings (YT) and biosolids (BS) feedstocks have recently become available to the Florida vegetable industry. Compost used as vegetable transplant medium may be less expensive than traditional Sphagnum peatmoss, which is a non-renewable resource. `Agriset 761' tomato seed were planted in five combinations of compost, peat, and vermiculite media: 0:70:30 (control), 18:52:30, 35:35:30, 52:18:30, and 70:0:30 by weight, respectively. The presence of compost in the media increased leaf area, shoot dry weight, and number of leaves 21 days after treatment (DAT), and leaf area, shoot dry weight, root dry weight 28 DAT compared with the control. There were no differences in root dry weight 21 DAT and number of leaves 28 DAT between treatments containing compost and the control. Plants in the compost treatments had greater final leaf area, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, and stem diameter but less chlorophyll content compared with the control. There was no effect of compost rate on any of the response variables measured. Neither final leaf number nor stem length were affected by media composition. The results suggest that YT/BS co-compost can be used as an alternative to peat media for tomato transplant production, and that the rate of use is not critical.

Unblended or Co-blended Composts for Production of Potted Chrysanthemum

Blending compost from various feedstocks may increase the beneficial effects of compost as potting substrate. A factorial treatment combinations included 10 compost combinations, Sunshine Mix and Pro Gro 300S as controls, three compost levels, and three chrysanthemum cultivars. The compost combinations were Compro (CP), poultry litter (PL), PSG polymer dewatered biosolids (PSG), yard trimmings (YT), CP:PL, CP:PSG, CP:YT, PL:PSG, PL:YT, and PSG:YT; all blends were on a 1:1 ratio (v/v). The compost levels were 50%, 75%, 100%; and chrysanthemum cultivars included `Boaldi', `Cherry Davis', and `Yellow Favor'. All treatments were replicated six times. Plants were fertilized with 100 mg/L N from 20N–8.8P–16.6K twice weekly. All compost substrates, except PSG blends produced plants that were shorter than the controls. All compost blends produced similar or greater number of flower than the controls. Plants grown in substrates containing PSG and/or CP produced dark green or green foliages, and other substrates produced plants with pale green leaves. The PSG:PL and PSG: YT blends produced premium-quality plants. All other compost blends produced good-quality plants that were similar to the controls.

Co-blended Composts for Production of Potted Poinsettia

Production of `Top White', `Peterstar Pink', `Lilo Red', and `Red Success' poinsettias were evaluated in a treatment combinations that included 10 compost blends, three compost levels, and two commercial soilless substrates of Sunshine Mix 1 and Pro Gro 300S as controls. The compost feedstocks included PSG polymer dewatered biosolids (PSG), lime dewatered biosolids (CP), yard trimmings (YT), poultry litter (PL), and municipal solid waste (MSW Bedmininster). The PSG, PL, YT, and MSW were co-blended with CP on a 2:1 ratio (v/v), all other composts were co-blended on a 1:1 ratio (v/v). The compost levels of 33%, 50%, and 67% were mixed with peat:perlite (1:1, v/v). There were five replicates per treatment. Plants were fertilized once weekly with 200 mg·L–1 N from 21N–2.2P–16.6K. Sunshine mix produced control plants that had greater canopy diameter and plant grade than Pro Gro mix. Plant height was reduced as compost level increased from 33% to 67%. Blends of PSG:PL at the 33% and 50% levels and PSG:YT at the 33% level produced premium-quality plants. Good-quality plants, similar to those grown in Sunshine Mix, were produced with the PSG or PL compost blended with immature MSW at the 33% level; PSG:PL blend at a 67% level; PSG:YT blend at the 50% and 67% levels; and PL:YT blend at the 33% level.