FUTURE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS
Project 2Project Title:
Recycle Animal Bedding and Soil Samples Projected Initiation & Completion Dates: State Fair portion by October 1, 2000 Agronomic Division portion by December 31, 2000 Project Description: This project involves the activities of two divisions. The State Fair Division has managed to recycle much of the animal bedding and waste generated throughout the year on the fairgrounds. However, during the 10-day State Fair, management does not have the luxury of handling the bedding and waste from the Graham and Kelley Buildings and the Sheep Barn in the most environmentally friendly manner. During the State Fair, each facility must be completely cleaned out three times and new bedding installed for the next day’s event. The turnaround must take place within 10 hours. The fastest way to handle the turnaround is to fill waste containers (40 cubic yards capacity) for shipment to the landfill. For each turnaround, the Graham Building generates twelve containers and the Kelly Building and Sheep Barn generate two containers each. If the waste material could be stockpiled in a single place, it would be a mixture of wood shavings, bark, straw, animal waste, and a small amount of human trash (paper, aluminum cans, etc.). A better solution to the waste problem would be to find a place to stockpile it during the State Fair and then dispose of it through composting. The stockpiling location would need to be available 24 hours a day for the duration of the fair and not create complaints from neighbors. The Agronomic Division tests over 300,000 soil samples each year. The samples arrive in small cardboard containers. After the required amount of soil is extracted from the container for testing, the remaining soil and the cardboard box are dumped into a waste container for transport to the landfill. The yearly amount that is carried to the landfill is around 150 tons. The soil and containers are not separated because of the amount of time and personnel it would take. A better solution would be to locate a company willing to take the soil and boxes and perhaps incorporate everything into a composting operation. Contacts:
Actions Necessary for Implementation: A suitable stockpiling location for the State Fair waste must be found that is a reasonable distance to the fairgrounds. Then a vendor must be found that can use the waste material in an environmentally suitable manner. Prior to the 1999 State Fair, efforts were made to locate a person or company willing to accept the waste material. Several individuals expressed an interest, but an agreement to accept the waste material could not be finalized. An additional attempt will be made prior to the 2000 State Fair. For the soil samples, a vendor must be located that can handle the soil and cardboard mixture. As with the State Fair waste, an individual expressed interest , but the division was not able to secure an agreement. The division will continue to seek an individual that is interested in using the excess soil material. Anticipated Environmental Sustainability Benefits: In addition to the economic and environmental value of the composted material, a large amount of waste material will not be taken to the landfill. In addition, each division will realize some savings on tipping fees paid to the landfill.
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