With societal pressure over organic waste disposal and green house gas production, combined with landfill diversion targets, some are looking hard at how they are going to reach their goals. Composting projects are typically the best solution for instituting a landfill diversion initiative, but the fact remains that unless there is already a local composting facility who can receive the collected organic waste, few can afford building a new site. Starting a composting project is a lengthy process from the first group idea to actual implementation. There is a lot to absorb before a intelligent decision can be made.

In addition to the entry cost for a composting project, community acceptance is key. If there is an outcry from local residents who cite the noise of equipment, traffic from big trucks, the smell, the risk of fire, and an increase in vermin, a project can hit the skids before it ever makes it out of committee.

Then there are the costs of equipment for collection, transportation expenses, consultation fees, a project manager, equipment operators, new collection and training procedures to implement, quality control and laboratory testing. It is not surprising that after a year of operations most find themselves over-budget.

But in the Memphis region, that could be changing. Agra-Cycle has designed a new in-vessel vertical composting unit (VCU) named the Vee Stack. VCU’s have been in operation worldwide but primarily in the UK and Australia for over three decades and have exceeded the most stringent composting requirements. Agra-Cycle’s breakthrough design and construction techniques have cut the production cost to a fraction of foreign competitors and it is fabricated locally in Tennessee.

“The Vee-Stack will enable large companies and communities to meet and exceed landfill diversion targets, eliminate the production of green house gases, provides a finished product that is an effective, measurable carbon sink all while promoting sustainable agriculture.”

But the real coup is in Public Relations. The PR for an environmentally sound, sustainable recycling project are enormous and timely. Composting is bi-partisan, it is something that every citizen can support and it generates a greater community awareness. It generates pride among citizens who want to be proactive in support of improving the soil and cleansing our environment.

According to Agra-Cycle, “There are two keys to operational success using a Vee Stack. The first is in the processing of the organic waste: a mixed and balanced ratio of carbon to nitrogen must be achieved. Then the pH values must be adjusted, followed by precise moisture control, and finally loading into the Vee Stack. Agra-Cycle relieves a major headache for the client.

The second key occurs through the natural process of draft induction. Air enters the Vee Stack from the bottom which greatly enhances the composting process in the chamber. If you know what a chimney fire is then you get a good concept of how the Vee Stack operates. As the thermal patterns rise in the stack, microbes that thrive at higher temperatures come to life. This is called the Stoichomatic range. For other composting methods these thermal ranges pose a threat of fire and are avoided at all costs, but with in-vessel construction these temperatures are harnessed to promote the process. The high moisture content of this process eliminates the fear of fire. The microbes eat all the smelly gases and hydrogen sulphides that create problems with other methods of composting. The unit essentially operates as it’s own bio-filtration system. The Vee Stack is fully self contained and even collects and recycles leechate back into the system where it too is composted.

Our goal is to work with a local communities and companies that are committed to landfill diversion and support sustainable recycling. We can custom design the Vee Stack to meet specific needs and tonnage requirements. We then oversee, maintain and operate the Vee Stack and remove the finished product. Agra-Cycle provides the specialized knowledge and experience to process your organic wastes consistently and for much less than you are currently paying for disposal.”

In continuous use a Vee Stack will process about ten tons of organic waste per day. Greater tonnages are achieved using multiple units. The process is completed between 14 and 21 days depending on the composition of the organic waste used.
In addition to of all these benefit’s the expense for waste disposal drops approximately by 25 percent. Now that is we call sustainable.”

Agra-Cycle is the sole proprietor this technology yet they remain committed to their mission statement of implementing sustainable recycling projects in the their home state of Tennessee as a not just a preference, but a priority. Agra-Cycle is a Tennessee based non profit organization providing educational resources while promoting sustainable agriculture. All contributions are fully tax deductible. Please check with your tax professional for current tax laws.