Recycling Practices for Environmental Materials

OBJECTIVES: 1) Gather information on best practices for managing wood wastes. Determine if a centralized composting site is better than on-site chipping and spreading or landfill disposal. 2) Review the practices of other SHAs and Districts at KYTC relative to large animal composting. Determine what practices KYTC can adopt for a compost operation. 3) Monitor a pilot large animal carcass composting site in District 5 during its initial runs. 4) Identify beneficial uses for those compost materials (e.g. soil amendment) to aid in establishing desirable vegetation. BACKGROUND: This study was intended to identify current generally accepted practices for the handling of environmental materials by other SHAs, and compare those to corresponding KYTC actions. Surrounding SHAs were previously surveyed by KYTC officials and by the Maryland DOT to determine how others are handling some of these materials. Findings of those surveys indicated that KYTC is at least on par with other SHAs in recycling of some environmental materials. Two specific sources of environmental materials were identified that could benefit from further investigation: 1) tree and brush debris and 2) large animal road-kill carcasses resulting from crashes with vehicles on the state maintained roadways. The disposal method for these materials needs to be investigated further to explore possible compostinglrecycling options. Best practices need to be identified including facilities/equipment for composting/recycling, manpower/cost requirements, compost analyses/testing, and potential uses for the recycled materials (e.g. soil amendment-in particular the establishment of turf, wildflowers, and other desirable vegetation). Options for in-house/contractor collection and recycling need to be determined including the potential for centralized collection of those refuse for composting/recycling. Large animal composting needs to be evaluated by a pilot operation which is being planned in KYTC District 5. Details on composting, including facility design, compost medium, animal capacity, compost heap manipulation, pre/post-treatment (grinding) and compost spreading equipment should be obtained prior to the start of that pilot activity. FY 2006 ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Initial information gathering was conducted related to recycling of constructions wastes and large animal carcasses. Work was initiated on a draft interim report. A revised work plan was prepared and approved by the Study Advisory Committee. SAC members recommended some scope changes to the project that will require the project to be extended and completed by the end ofFY 2007. FY 2007 PROPOSED WORK: Work began on the study objectives after the study advisory committee approved the revised work plan. All deliverables are to be accomplished by FY2007. PROJECTED COST THROUGH FY 2006: PROGRAMMED COST FY 2007: TOTAL ESTIMATED COST: $25,000 $30,000 $55,000