May-27-2009

Organic Compost Available!

Greenco Environmental is manufacturing organic compost created using food waste and yard/wood waste from metro Atlanta businesses.  The rich compost improves soil texture, helps the soil hold water, suppresses plant disease and prevents soil erosion in addition to enhancing plant growth.  The Greenco compost is now being sold in bulk.  If you’re interested in purchasing Georgia organic compost, please call: 770-872-3777.

GREENCO FAQs
What is compost? Composting is the controlled biological process of decomposition of organic materials into a product that can be used beneficially as a soil amendment, for water conservation or erosion control * Soil is the top of the chart in our natural organic cycle of life. * One of the key ingredients to keeping our ecosystem in balance and healthy is organic matter. * The most efficient way to add organic matter to our planting and farming soil is to use compost. What are the advantages of using compost? * 100% natural organic material * Improves soil texture and promotes new plant growth * Creates and renews biodiversity in soil, enhancing plant growth * Suppresses plant disease and prevents the erosion of soil * Water conservation - adding compost to the soil dramatically increases its ability to hold water How does Greenco manufacture compost? * Food, yard and wood waste are hauled to Greenco's 32-acre facility in Barnesville, Georgia. * Ground yard waste and wood waste are mixed with food waste as it arrives at the facility. * The blended material is assembled into composting windrows. * Windrows are managed and maintained at specific temperatures for 90 days--exceeding industry quality standards. * The rich, organic compost is sold in bulk to farmers and manufacturers of bagged garden products. Where is the Greenco Environmental facility? The Greenco Environmental facility is located in Barnesville, GA in Lamar County. What CAN be composted at Greenco's facility? FOOD RESIDUALS: *meat, poultry, fish *shellfish and bones *eggs and dairy products *table scraps and scrapings *fruits and vegetables *bread, dough, pasta and grains *coffee grounds, filters & tea bags FOOD SOILED PAPER: *paper towels, napkins and plates *paper take-out containers *pizza boxes *paper cups *waxed cardboard and paper WOOD & YARD WASTE: *grass clippings & yard trimmings *chipped or ground wood *tree branches, trunks and stumps *pallets and construction lumber COMPOSTABLE PRODUCTS: *products made from bagasse (sugarcane fibers) *PLA products (corn based) What CANNOT be composted at Greenco's facility? *plastic *glass *plastic lids, straws, and creamer containers *cardboard items lined with plastic *metal *produce baskets or netting *plastic wrap *plastic take-out containers *plastic plates, cups & utensils *latex and plastic gloves *Styrofoam *foil *rubber bands *garbage and hazardous waste Who creates "food waste"? * Food processing industries. * Meat and seafood industries. * Fruit and vegetable industries * Bakeries * Animal feed industry * Mixed food industry * Supermarkets * Food services industry * Hospitals * Military installations * Nursing homes * Prisons * Restaurants * Schools, universities and colleges * Private homeowners Who creates "yard and wood waste"? * Landscape companies * Counties * Municipalities * Residential Communities * Land clearing operations * Wood processing companies What is a windrow? the piling of organic matter in long rows (in the case of Greenco, for the purpose of manufacturing compost). What is a windrow turner? Compost windrow turners were developed to produce compost on a large scale. They are traditionally a large machine that straddles a windrow of approximately eight feet high by thirteen feet across. Turners drive through the windrow at a slow rate of forward movement. They have a steel drum with paddles that are rapidly turning. As the turner moves through the windrow, oxygenated air is injected into the compost by the drum/paddle assembly. Where can I get more information on composting at HOME? The Georgia Department of Community Affairs - http://www.dca.state.ga.us/development/EnvironmentalManagement/programs/downloads/Composting.pdf