Upgrading for Growth
Happy Trash Can (HTC) Curbside Composting LLC in Bozeman, MT started in 2016 as a small community composting operation on a farm receiving Source Separated Organics (SSO) and wood chips.
Ryan Green, a professional composter from the New York City Compost Project, and his Bozeman native wife, Adrienne Huckabone, also an experienced composter from NYC, founded the company. They used the static pile composting method with a bucket and skid steer to turn the windrows.
From the beginning, HTC provided and grew a food waste collection service, processed the organics, and sold a high-quality product to the community. As the customer base and the volume of SSO feedstock material grew, HTC needed additional space for the static pile operation, and the time it took to process, over 6-8 months, to produce a saleable product.
PROJECT DETAILS
Site Name: Story Mill Convenience Site
Ownership: Happy Trash Can Curbside Composting LLC
Location: Bozeman, MT
Start-Up: In 2016 started composting at another location using static piles and bucket turning. In 2018 started using the SG MOBILE® System with GORE® Cover.
Technology: SG MOBILE® System
Input quantity: 100 tons/batch
No. of Heaps: 3 heaps, 2 covers, 15m x 6 m x 2.5m
Treatment Time: 8 weeks in 3 Phases
Aeration: On-Floor pipe
Control Parameters: Oxygen control mode
Input material: Source Separated Organics, Wood Chips, Yard Waste
Equipment: Skid Steer / Table Screen /Well water / SSO Collection Truck and Trailer / Dump truck
End Product: High Quality Finished Compost
THE SG SOLUTION
Adding Value – Less Time, Less Space, Low Risk, Good Neighbor
In 2018, HTC moved to a similarly sized site and upgraded to the SG MOBILE® System because it could produce a high-quality product in 8-12 weeks, resulting in more throughput on the same footprint in less time. In addition, the system was a low risk for HTC because it is a proven technology for addressing environmental and regulatory compliance issues including reducing odors by greater than 90%, reducing VOC emissions by greater than 90%, as well as ensuring HTC could be a good community member given the proximity to their nearest neighbor was less than 300 feet from the site.
HTC continued to grow its operation by promoting food waste composting in the Gallatin Valley and hauling SSO for residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
PROJECT GALLERY
SG MOBILE® Systems with Happy Trash Can
RESULTS DELIVERED
Compliance, Consistent High Quality Compost & Additional Growth
In January 2021, HTC moved its operation to the City of Bozeman’s Story Mill Convenience Site. With this working relationship with the City of Bozeman, HTC is now processing the cafeteria waste from Montana State University and yard waste from the City of Bozeman’s Summer Yard Waste Program, in addition to servicing its growing customer base across Gallatin Valley and Park Counties.
Of significant importance to the success of the HTC project is the SG MOBILE® System’s capability to comply with the state and local regulatory requirements:
- Meeting air quality standards for odor control
- Meeting Vector Attraction Reduction (VAR) requirements
- Meeting time and temperature requirements (PFRP) for pathogen reduction
- Producing high-quality finished compost
Contact Us
Our Blog
Projects, Technology, and News
Explore our blog to discover more about our projects, technology advancements, and exciting news.
INTERVIEW WITH A BIOSOLIDS EXPERT
Biosolids expert Dan Collins, P.E., shares insights on safe, efficient composting.
Summary of Performance GORE® Cover and Negative ASP
GORE® Cover was evaluated to quantify the performance versus an existing negatively aerated static
Composting Facility Delivers Significant Environmental Protection
The East Coast’s largest food waste composting site processes 57,000 tons of organics annually.
Exceeding Air Quality VOC Emission Regulatory Compliance in California
SG systems consistently meet and exceed California air quality regulations.
Positive ASP Composting: the Future of Organics
Two of the biggest issues faced by commercial composting operators are emissions (odor and
Proven Results: Over 20 Years Reducing Odors and Emissions in California
Sustainable Generation, LLC and the GORE® Cover have a long track record of success.
San Diego County – Otay Composting Facility
Location: Otay Landfill, San Diego County, CA
System: SG MOBILE® System with
Kerman, CA – Mid Valley Disposal Compost Manufacturing
Location: Kerman, California
System: SG BUNKER® System with GORE® Cover
Feedstock:
Why Smart Composting Facility Operators Keep Stormwater and Leachate Separate
During heavy storms, composting facilities face increased runoff and leachate.
What our customers are saying…
“The Sustainable Generation® team provided us with outstanding hands-on assistance as we learned to use their system. We retrofit our existing positive air ASP system, which used a compost cap, by upgrading to the SG Mobile® System with GORE® Cover so we could address environmental and community concerns about odors and vector control, and also so we could scale up and expand our composting operation."
Justin Green, Executive Director & Founder Big Reuse
"With disposal and transportation costs increasing with no end in sight, plus an abundance of yard debris from our community, we decided to try biosolids composting at our Wastewater Treatment Plant to reduce our costs and create a Class A product. We went with the SG Mobile® System with GORE® Covers. The ease of operation and the cost savings made this a natural fit. The final product has been a huge hit with the locals who can't get enough Class A compost. We recently doubled the size of our composting operation to keep up with our increasing volumes and demand. This system is easily scalable to meet future demands."
Mike Miller, Public Works Director, City of Florence, Oregon
"We had no composting experience, so conducting a demonstration project with Sustainable Generation® greatly enhanced our understanding of food waste composting and helped us immensely with our subsequent expansion design process. During the selection process, it made a difference that SG's technology was already a proven solution for meeting VOC emission reductions for our San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District."
Jonathan Kalpakoff, VP Mid Valley Disposal
“The Sustainable Generation® team provided us with outstanding hands-on assistance as we learned to use their system. We retrofit our existing positive air ASP system, which used a compost cap, by upgrading to the SG Mobile® System with GORE® Cover so we could address environmental and community concerns about odors and vector control, and also so we could scale up and expand our composting operation."
Justin Green, Executive Director & Founder Big Reuse
"With disposal and transportation costs increasing with no end in sight, plus an abundance of yard debris from our community, we decided to try biosolids composting at our Wastewater Treatment Plant to reduce our costs and create a Class A product. We went with the SG Mobile® System with GORE® Covers. The ease of operation and the cost savings made this a natural fit. The final product has been a huge hit with the locals who can't get enough Class A compost. We recently doubled the size of our composting operation to keep up with our increasing volumes and demand. This system is easily scalable to meet future demands."
Mike Miller, Public Works Director, City of Florence, Oregon
"We had no composting experience, so conducting a demonstration project with Sustainable Generation® greatly enhanced our understanding of food waste composting and helped us immensely with our subsequent expansion design process. During the selection process, it made a difference that SG's technology was already a proven solution for meeting VOC emission reductions for our San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District."