M.S. Thesis: Large Scale Aerobic Composting of Source Separated Organic Wastes: A Comparative Study of Environmental Impacts, Costs, and C ontextual Effects
By Rob van Haaren
Advisor: Prof. Nickolas J. Themelis, Columbia University
Co¬advisor: Prof. Morton Barlaz, North Carolina State University
Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering
Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science
Columbia University
August 2009
This thesis describes research conducted to identify the best available technology for processing source‐separated organic wastes, by means of a multi‐criteria analysis (MCA): a) Environmental impact, b) cost, c) land area required, d) odor control and e) feedstock flexibility. A Life‐Cycle Analysis (LCA) assessed the environmental impacts of each process. In conjunction with the financial and contextual (e.g., odor control) aspects that were examined in this study, this LCA compared four methods for disposing organic wastes: Three aerobic composting methods (windrow composting, aerated static pile, and in‐vessel composting) and the use of yard wastes as Alternative Daily Cover (ADC) on a landfill. These methods were rated for each criterion and individual dominance scores were generated, using case‐specific weighting factors for each criterion. As a result, a decision making model was created that can help communities and waste management companies in choosing the appropriate technology for a particular situation.