Project
Missouri Organic, located in Kansas City, Missouri is a 10-acre composting facility that
accepts a variety of municipal waste. The goal of the company is to transform waste into
organic fertilizers and mulches. Missouri Organic needed a solution to their odor problem
due to regulatory pressure.
Customer Problem
Weeks prior to the application of SCD Odor Away complaints were made to the Missouri
Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), by neighboring businesses, due to foul odor
emissions. These complaints resulted in fines and potential further financial penalties if the
odor was not managed.
Goal
The goal of the trial was to reduce odor to meet regulatory standards.
Methodology
On average Missouri Organic accepts 15,000 metric tons of organic waste yearly. Missouri
Organic can potentially have 20 windrows simultaneously composting. Each windrow
consists of 175 tons of material, of that 125 tons are organic food waste. For this trial each
windrow was sprayed with SCD Odor Away directly on the organic waste as it is
incorporated in to the windrow. A second application was sprayed 7-10 days during first
turning of windrow. (Pictures on Page 2)
Data was taken to test the odor of the composting process with a Scentometer (Nasal
Ranger®). Data was taken three times a week, from six areas around the facility, beginning
three weeks prior to the application. After the trial began, the scent was tested twice a
week for a twelve-week period. In Scentometry the air from the site is diluted with
filtered, odorless air until the tester can no longer sense the initial odor. The values that
the Scentometer read are as follows: 2, 4, 7, 15, 30 and 60. Where 60 is the highest
dilution value. Prior to applying SCD Odor Away, the average daily reading was 7.4, which
is above the regulatory limit of 7 in the state of Missouri.
Results
The goal of the project was to reduce odor from the composting facility and it was
achieved. The average daily readings during application were 2.6, well below the regulatory
limit. (See Tables I – III)
Testimonial
Kevin Anderson, Vice President for Missouri Organic, reported a complete satisfaction
with the trial and has integrated the use of SCD Probiotics into their foul emissions
control program and plans to continue use indefinitely. He went on to highlight that there
was an improvement in odor at the facility, overall odor of the product is no longer rotten
but earthy and sweet, and that they were recognized by the Missouri Department of
Natural Resources (MDNR) as taking proactive measures towards ending the issue of
emissions.
We want to openly express that the application of SCD Probiotics indeed produced
remarkable results…both in the odor control and the product quality. – Kevin Anderson VP
for Missouri Organic
Table I: Daily Readings of Odor Emissions – July 19, 2010 – Nov 29, 2010
Table II: Odor Intensity at or above the Level of Violation
Before Application of SCD Odor Away 43% of the time odor emissions were over the
regulatory limit. During application on average they were over regulatory limits 8% of the
time.
Table III: Average Odor Intensity
The application of SCD Odor Away greatly diminished the odor being produced. The
average odor intensity went from 7.4 to 2.6, bringing the odor well under regulatory limits.
Added Benefits
While the input of waste is important, there is evidence to support improvement in the
quality of compost.
Table IV: Average Nutrient Index
The Nutrient index is obtained by dividing the total nutrients (N,P,K) by the amount of salt
(Sodium and Chloride). The higher the Nutrient Index the less chance of having a toxic
buildup of Sodium (salt) in the soil.* During treatment with SCD Odor Away the results
show an increase in the nutrient index.
Table V: Nutrient Level N+P+K
Compost data is most commonly expressed in amount of Nitrogen, Phosphate and Potash
(abbreviated as N,P,K). If a compost result has the rating 1-2-2 it means that the compost
has 1% Nitrogen, 2% Phosphate and 2% Potash. Most compost tests will have an average
nutrient level (N+P+K) of <5%*. As shown below, the average NPK levels increased after
the application of SCD Odor Away.
Added Benefits Continued.
Kevin Anderson, VP for Missouri Organic said, “We now consider SCD Probiotics a value
added ingredient to our final products.” Missouri Organic is advertizing SCD Probiotics
Technology by including the technology logo on their retail bags of compost.
Conclusion
SCD Odor Away offers a sustainable option for controlling foul odors associated with
commercial composting. In addition to odor control, SCD Probiotics enhances the nutrient
level of the compost. For Missouri Organic probiotics have delivered the following results:
- On average a 35% Reduction in foul odor emissions
- Increase in quality of compost including NPK and nutrient index
- Compost is much more marketable
- Reduction of fines and pressure from MDNR
- Fines can be as much as $2,000 per violation
- Fines assessed to Missouri Organic have been waived upon further use of
SCD Probiotics
Additional information upon request. Contact
customerservice@SCDProbiotics.com
*Data received from Midwest laboratories Inc
