Maryville, Missouri faced a challenge when new state laws banned burning and landfilling yard waste. The city’s solution was to create a composting program that turned yard waste into a valuable resource.
Initial Challenges and Solutions
The city’s first attempt at handling yard waste was to have residents bring it to a community-owned farm. However, this led to problems with illegal dumping and inconsistent decomposition. To address these issues, the city applied for and received a grant to start a composting operation. They purchased equipment, including a tractor with a loader bucket and a powered auger-aerator. The composting site was moved to a secure, fenced portion of the city landfill for better control and accessibility.
Program Operations
The composting program accepts yard waste from residents and businesses in Maryville and four surrounding counties. Incoming loads are weighed and inspected at the landfill gatehouse. Items that don’t comply with regulations, such as garbage, metal, and plastic bags, are rejected. Accepted green waste is then dumped in designated areas.
The Brown Bear aerator is considered crucial to the program’s success. It mixes and turns the green waste more effectively than a bucket, minimizing dirt inclusion and ensuring continuous processing. The aerator creates windrows of green waste, approximately 100 feet long, 5 feet high, and 4 feet wide.
The composting process is simple and efficient:
- No additional materials are added to the green waste, including bulking agents, water, or chemicals.
- No grinding is required as the auger’s action pulverizes leaves, twigs, and small cuttings.
- No screening is necessary thanks to the thorough pre-unloading inspections.
The composting process takes about three months, resulting in a fine, black material that resembles rich black dirt. The finished compost is then stockpiled for residents and businesses to collect and use for their lawns, gardens, and landscaping.
Program Benefits
The program requires minimal manpower, with one person managing the composting operation in an average of 1.5 days per week. The same operator handles the landfill’s dozer, compactor, and scraper on the remaining days.
Maryville’s composting program is notable for its:
- Low cost: The operating budget is less than $4,000 per year, covering fuel, maintenance, and repairs.
- Minimal repairs: The auger-aerator has operated for five years without any emergency shutdowns.
- High effectiveness: The program successfully transforms yard waste into valuable compost.
- Positive public perception: The program has received compliments for its environmental benefits and minimal odor.
Public Outreach and Recognition
Recognizing the importance of public cooperation, the city launched a public relations campaign before the program began. They distributed brochures explaining the benefits of composting and provided information on how to participate. Radio and newspaper ads, along with presentations to schools and civic groups, further spread the message. The city emphasized the program’s free service. Public education proved successful, with residents quickly understanding the composting process and participating enthusiastically.
Maryville’s composting program has garnered recognition from other communities. Many have adopted similar programs based on Maryville’s success. The program has been praised for its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency. The Brown Bear auger is specifically recognized for its effectiveness in mixing materials and producing high-quality compost.
Overall, Maryville’s composting program offers a model for other communities seeking sustainable solutions for yard waste management.
