Environmental Management Ideas

Compost bins on campus would be good for food waste
Has any thought been given to having compost bins? I routinely have food waste that can be composted and must currently bring it back home - and I'm guessing that I'm not the only person at NREL in that situation. Presumably, the compost soil could be used by the Denver West maintenance folks as well.

• Response: The Lab did investigate composting grass clippings before, but received a response that we didn't have enough clippings—nor generate them frequently enough—to warrant composting on the NREL site. Composting food waste appears to introduce additional complexities. Based on the personal experience of one of the ES&H staff with composting food waste, it is an activity that requires continual attention. If Sustainable NREL is going to begin a food composting project, one of the most important items to decide upon upfront is who will manage and monitor the composting process. This need for substantial staff time seems like it would be one of the biggest challenges.
  
  Aside from the staff to monitor and manage the process, there are some primary ES&H issues associated with composting food waste.
  
  
  • Decay of organics produces methane, which is a flammable gas—a location outdoors will take care of this issue
  • Odor—if the compost bin is properly tended, odors will be minimized
  • Rodents and other critters—Rats, raccoons, and other scavengers are frequently attracted to areas where garbage is present.
  • Pathogens and allergens—While the composting process kills most primary pathogens, secondary pathogens, such as fungi and other micro-organisms, produced during the composting process are of concern. These can cause a range of symptoms from minor irritation to more serious debilitating illness.
  
  Sustainable NREL will keep this on a list for consideration, but it is not a priority at this time. (October 2005)

Composting toilets suggested for NWTC
Some of my colleagues and I were at the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) guard post building, learning about its energy-efficient features. The Port-o-John sort of stood out as an unsustainable feature. Have composting toilets been considered? I think we have four or five Port-o-John facilities here at the NWTC.

• Updated response: In order to install a composting toilet, we would need a permit from the state, similar to what we get for a septic system. With unheated composting toilets, the 64 degree temperature requirement can sometimes be met below ground considering the heat generated from the organic chemical reactions. However, it may require building a heated structure to house the toilet, which is cost-prohibitive at this time. (October 2005)
  
  
• Response: The NWTC site-entrance building is a showcase net zero-energy building (ZEB), and the suggestion of using a composting toilet is certainly appropriate. We are currently investigating feasibility with Site Operations. To provide some background, the Port-o-John was installed following a request for accommodations closer to the building. Because Port-o-Johns already were used in the areas where plumbing does not exist at the site - and there already was one available - it was used as a way to meet this need expeditiously. In addition to funding, there is an issue of disposing the waste on the NWTC site. We will keep you apprised of progress. (September 2003)

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