By diverting 28,500 tons per year of food waste from the landfill, the total change in GHG emissions (MTCO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) is 20,498.44
Project Highlight:
Prince George’s County, MD Organics Composting Facility
Composting Facility Delivers Significant Environmental Protection
From Pilot Project to Full Scale
Recently expanded organics composting site is largest food waste composting facility on the East Coast
Processing 57,000 tons per year of organic waste (28,500 tpy of food waste & 28,500 tpy of yard waste) the expanded facility is diverting substantial amounts of organic waste from the landfill thereby reducing GHG emissions significantly.
the equivalent of
Removing annual emissions from 4,315 passenger vehicles
Conserving 2,306,565 gallons of gasoline
Conserving 854,102 cylinders of propane used for home gas grills
Project Expansion Outcomes
Technology that helps to protect the Chesapeake Bay
The expansion utilized the SG Bunker® Systems with GORE® Covers which includes in-ground trenching for leachate capture and re-use that helps protect the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
Perpetuates the Closed Loop Organic Lifecycle
One of the facility’s first customers, the University of Maryland’s dining services, saves by diverting their food scraps to the composting facility rather than tipping in the landfill.
They also use the final product from this process, known as LeafGroGold® — a nutrient-rich dark humus-like material – at the university’s farm.
This product is in very high demand because it eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers, adds nutrients back into the soil and increases root uptake and absorption in plants. It is sold commercially in bulk.
Revenue from the sale of LeafGroGold® is directed back to the county to help offset the cost of the composting operation.
