CWMI updates and Program Work Team (PWT) Managing Wastes

Dairy Manure Bedding

• Using Manure Solids for Dairy Barn Bedding, 2006. Links to:
  • Project Description
  • Project Summary
  • Project Summary Phase 2: Frequency of Bedding Changes
  • Frequency of Re-Bedding With Dairy Manure Solids - Results. 59p, 2008.
  • Literature Review
  • Dairy Manure Solids Cut Bedding Costs. Article published in Northeast DairyBusiness 10(4):24-25, 2008.
  • Using Manure Solids as Bedding. Final report, 128p, 2008.
  • Health Impacts and Economics of Using Dried Manure Solids in the Northeast - Proceedings from the Ninth Annual Fall Dairy Conference, 2008.

Fact sheets (click here for a separate listing of our composting fact sheets)

• Compost Fact Sheet Series 1-8
  • 1. Marketing Composts and Meeting Consumer Needs. 6p, 2004.
  • 2. Regulation and Certification of Composts. 4p, 2004.
  • 3. Improving and Maintaining Compost Quality. 6p, 2004.
  • 4. Testing Composts. 6p, 2005.
  • 5. Compost Bulking Materials. 4p, 2004.
  • 6. Compost Pads.6p, 2005.
  • 7. Compost Equipment. 6p, 2006.
  • 8. Composting Liquids.4p, 2007.
• Health & Safety Guidance for Composting in the School Setting. 2p, 2005.
• Health & Safety Guidance for Small Scale Composting. 2p, 2004.
• Home Composting. 4p, 2005.
• Home Use of Milorganite®. 2p, 2006.
• Municipal Solid Waste Composting Fact Sheet Series #1-7
• Municipal Yard Waste Composting - Operator's Fact Sheets Series #1-10
• Natural Rendering Fact Sheets:
  • Composting Livestock Mortality and Butcher Waste. 12p, 2002.
  • Composting Poultry Mortality. 12p, 2008
  • Composting Road Kill. 12p, 2007
• Preventing Animal Nuisances in Small Scale Composting. 2p, 2005.
• Using Manure-Based Composts in Turf Maintenance. 4p, 2007.

Final reports

• Application of Sewage Biosolids to Agricultural Soils in the Northeast: Long-term Impacts and Benefit Uses. 2005.
• Biosolids Applied to Land: Advancing Standards and Practices (NRC). 282p, 2002.
• Connecting Farm Composts With Agriculture Users Demonstrating Compost Assets With Growers. 78p, 2007.
• Frequency of Re-Bedding With Dairy Manure Solids - Results. 59p, 2008
• Hygienic Implications of Small-Scale Composting in New York State. 71p, 2004.
• Improved Manure Management to Enhance Diary Farm Viability. 26p, 2003.
• New York City Materials Exchange Roundtable.14p, 1997.
• Packaging Waste: Whose Responsibility Is It Anyway? 24p, 1998.(appendices)
• Pathogen Analysis of NYSDOT Road-Killed Deer Carcass Compost Facilities. 78p, 2008
• Pay As You Throw For Large Municipalities. 32p report of the New York City Roundtable, 2000.
• Quality of New York State Agricultural Composts. Report and data on 25 NYS manure-based composts and on compost label and guideline options, 2003.
• Reducing the New York City Waste Stream: The Potential Role for Composting. 38p, 1998.
• Small to Medium Scale Composting of Food Wastes in New York City. 65p, 1999.
• Using Manure Solids as Bedding. Final report, 128p, 2008.

Health and safety

• Composting
  • Health Impacts of Composting Air Emissions. Article published in Biocycle 48(11):44-50, 2007.
  • Compost Facilities: Off-Site Air Emissions and Health. Literature review, 2007.
  • Composting Health Considerations. 1p discussion, 1996.
  • Health & Safety Guidance for Composting in the School Setting. 2p illustrated fact sheetsheet, 2005.
  • Hygienic Implications of Small Scale Composting in New York State. 71p report on home compost quality, 2004.
  • Health & Safety Guidance for Small Scale Composting. 2p illustrated fact sheet, 2004.
  • Municipal Yard Waste Composting: Operator's fact sheet.
  • Health & Safety Precautions. 1p discussion addressing compost workers, 1995 updated 2000.
• Sewage sludge
  • Compost Air Emissions Health Studies. Literature review, 2007.
  • Compost Facilities: Off-Site Air Emissions and Health. Literature review, 2007.
  • Investigation of Alleged Sludge Health Incidents Associated with Land Application of Sewage Sludges. 22p article published in New Solutions 12(4):387-408, 2002.
  • Sewage Biosolids Land Application: Reported Health Incidents. 2p summary of health investigations and link to a matrix of locations of incidents and symptoms reported, 2007.

Sewage sludge

• Health and safety
  • Compost Air Emissions Health Studies. Literature review, 2007.
• Compost Facilities: Off-Site Air Emissions and Health. Literature review, 2007.
• Investigation of Alleged Sludge Health Incidents Associated with Land Application of Sewage Sludges. 22p article published in New Solutions 12(4):387-408, 2002
• Sewage Biosolids Land Application: Reported Health Incidents. 2p summary of health investigations and link to a matrix of locations of incidents and symptoms reported, 2007.
• Local, state and federal rules
• A Brief Summary of the Federal Standards for Land Application of Sewage Sludges. 3p summary of the US EPA Part 503 rules, 1997.
• Comments on Proposed US EPA Standards for Dioxins in Land Applied Sludge. 7p critique by 7 Cornell faculty, 2000.
• Proposed Revisions to Part 360 Rules. 12p comments by 6 Cornell faculty on NYS Department of Environmental Conservation rules pertaining to land application of sewage sludges, 2002.
• Review of Risk Assessment for Dioxin in Land Applied Sludges. 8p comments on US EPA risk assessment, 1999.
• Recommendations for Municipal Sludge Ordinance/Rules. 8p information to assist in drafting municipal rules restricting land application of sewage sludges, 2003.
• The Role of Municipalities in Regulating the Land Application of Sewage Sludge and Septage. 66p article published in the Natural Resources Journal 41(1):77-123, 2001.
• The Significance of the Recent Virginia Supreme Court Decision on Local Ordinances Regulating Land Application of Sewage Sludges. 1p discussion, 2001.
• National Academy of Sciences Review
• Biosolids Applied to Land: Advancing Standards and Practices (NRC). 282p report; press release and summary. These refer to the NRC report, 2002.
• "Comments on" Standards for the Use of Disposal of Sewage Sludge: Agency Response to the NRC Report on Biosolids Applied to Land and the Results of EPA's Review of Existing Sewage Sludge Regulations, 26p comments on the plan of US EPA to respond to the recommendations of the NRC report. These comments appear in the Federal Register 68:17379-17395, 2003.
• Land Application of Sludge Sludges (aka Biosolids): The Case for Caution. 29 slide Powerpoint presentation to the NRC, 2001.
• Northeast Research Committee on Land Application
• Biosolids/Sludge publications available from the Universities participating in the Northeast Regional Committee on Land Application of Sewage Biosolids.
• Guidelines for Application of Sewage Biosolids to Agricultural Lands in the Northeastern U.S. 36p recommendations developed by 9 scientists from 5 universities, 2007.
• Members and Affiliates of the Northeast Regional Committee on Land Application of Sewage Biosolids.
• Northeast Regional Committee on Land Application of Sewage Biosolids: Committee Reports.  Final Report. 2006 - While this multi-state research project has terminated, the Committee continues to work together as a Coordinating Committee on the “Use of Residuals in Agriculture in the Northeast” (NECC-1010). Minutes 2004, Annual Report 2004, Annual Report 2003, Annual Report 2002, and Annual Report 2001.
• Research publications of the Northeast Regional committee on Land Application of Sewage Biosolids. 6p list of references.
• Research Project Proposal of the Northeast Regional Committee on Land Application of Sewage Biosolids. 5p document.
• Risk analysis and research
• Comments on Proposed EPA Standards for Dioxins in Land Applied Sludge. 7p critique by 7 Cornell faculty, 2000.
• Land Application of Sewage Sludge: An Appraisal of the US Regulations (The Case for Caution). Article critiquing the US EPA risk assessment on which the federal Part 503 rules pertaining to land application of sludges are based. Published in the Int. J. Environment and Pollution 11(1):1-37, 1999.
• Organic Chemicals in Sewage Sludges. Article reviewing the presence and significance of organic chemicals in sewage sludges. Published in the Science of the Total Environment 367(2-3):481-497, 2006.
• Review of Risk Assessment for Dioxin in Land Applied Sludges. . 8p comments on US EPA risk assessment, 1999.
• Scientific Papers on Sludge by Cornell Faculty. Links to abstracts and articles.
• Septage Quality and its Effect on Field Life for Land Applications. Article on limits to land application due to metals in septage (septic tank pumpings). Published in the Journal of the American Water Resources Association 39:87-97, 2003.
• Use and guidelines
• Considerations for Dairy Farms Regarding Use of Sewage Sludges, Sludge Products and Septage. 23p report and 6p summary of a document by 7 Cornell faculty and Extension educators, 2003.
• Guidelines for Application of Sewage Biosolids to Agricultural Lands in the Northeastern U.S. 36p recommendations developed by 9 scientists from 5 universities, 2007.
• Home Garden Use of Milorganite®. 2p fact sheet addressing questions about use of this dried sewage sludge product in the home garden, 2006.
• Land Application of Sewage Sludges. 6p section of the Cornell Guide for Integrated Field Crop Management pertaining to the use of sewage sludges, 2006.
• Using Organic Matter in the Garden. 13p fact sheet on use of various soil amendments including manure, sewage sludge and compost, 2000.

Soil quality and testing

• Soil clean-up standards
  • Comments on Metal Pollutant Standards in the NYS DEC Proposed Brownfield Regulations Soil Clean Up Objectives. 9p analysis, 2006.
  • Comments on Methods to Conduct Soil Survey and to Develop Soil Standards. 9p comments from 6 Cornell faculty on methods proposed by NYS DEC for establishing background soil concentrations and developing clean-up standards, 2004.
  • The Ground Water Quality Implications of the Proposed Soil Clean Up Standards for Brownfields, 10p analysis, 2006.
  • Public Hearing Testimony to NYSDEC on Proposed Brownfield Regulations Soil Clean-Up Objectives. 3p summary of key points, 2006.
  • What Effect Would Including Vapor Intrusion Have on the NYS DEC Proposed Brownfield Regulations Soil Clean-Up Objectives (SCOs)? 7p analysis, 2006.
• Soil testing
  • The Cornell Nutrient Analysis Laboratory (CNAL) provides accurate and cost effective analysis of soil, plant, and water samples for farmers, growers, extension educators, state and federal agencies, regulators, home gardeners, researchers, and many others within the state, nation, and world.

Youth and teacher

• School Composting
  • Best Ever Compost. 5p illustrated instructions of worm compost recipe for youth, 1995.
  • Bin Designs. 15p document illustrating several compost bin systems, 1996.
  • Building a Soda Bottle Bioreactor. 3p illustrated document shows how to build soda bottle composter, 1995.
  • Building a Two-Can Bioreactor. 3p illustrated document shows how to build a composter using two trash cans, 1995.
  • Compost Quiz Game. 13 question quiz for youth, 1995.
  • Composting as a Topic for Independent Student Research. 1p document explains how composting can be a teaching tool, 1995.
  • Composting as a Waste Management Technique. 1p document explains how composting fits into waste management, 1995.
  • Composting Indoors. 1p overview of indoor composting options, 1995.
  • Culturing Microorganisms. 2p document on how to use microorganisms in the classroom, 1995.Frequently Asked Questions. Q &A for small scale composting, 1995.
  • Frequently Asked Questions About Worm Composting. Q & A, 1995.
  • Health & Safety Guidance for Composting in the School Setting. 2p illustrated fact sheet, 2004.
  • High-Tech Bioreactors. Instructions for how to build complicated composter for experiments, 1995.
  • Hygienic Implications of Small Scale Composting in New York State. 71p report on home compost quality, 2004.
  • Ideas for Student Research Projects. 2p document with ideas, 1995.
  • More About Worms... And Related Classroom Activities. 1p document, 1995.
  • Observing Compost Invertebrates. 1p instructions, 1995.
  • Observing Compost Microorganisms. 1p instructions, 1995.
  • Outdoor Composting. 2p instructions, 1995.
  • Plant Growth Experiments. 2p instructions, 1995.
  • Potential Cross-Curricular Applications of a Worm Bin For the Elementary School Classroom. 2 p document with ideas, 1995.
  • Preparing Slides of Microorganisms. 2p instructions, 1995.
  • Six Easy Steps to Setting Up a Worm Bin. 2p instructions, 1995.
  • Techniques for Detailed Study of Compost Microorganisms. 1p instructions, 1995.
  • Trash Goes To School. Series of solid waste lesson plans for grades K-12, 1991.
  • Troubleshooting Compost Problems. 1p chart, 1995.
  • Troubleshooting Worm Bins. 2p solutions, 1995.
  • Why Composting? 2p document explaining the reasons, 1995.
  • Worm Composting Basics. 3p instructions, 1995.
• Composting in the Classroom. Guide for student composting research. 116p book on using composting in teaching grades 9-12, including background information and experiments to try, 1998.
• Composting: Wastes to Resources. 36p illustrated guide for educating youth about composting including 2 posters and 11 designs for composting systems, 1996. (or purchase)
• Do You Know Where Your Garbage Is? 12-minute video (download or purchase) for youth which presents options for what we can do with the garbage that we can't reduce, reuse, or compost. Animated characters and documentary footage explores the controversial issues of composting, incinerating, and landfilling and how these can be part of a community's waste management plan. 1992.
• It's Gotten Rotten. Links to information on how to purchase (or free download) this 20-minute video on the biology of invertebrates in compost. Teacher's guide included. 1997.
• Life After The Curb. 20-minute video (download or purchase) for youth showing how materials are reprocessed into new products. It shows separation and recycling processes and end products for plastic, steel, aluminum, glass, and paper. 1990.
• Recycling: Mining Resources From Trash. Links to information on how to purchase this 33p guide and 5 posters that shows what's in your trash can, what's made of recyclable materials, and where it should go. 1990.
• What about Waste? Activity booklet introducing youth to a variety of subjects on environmental science. 25p, 1990.

Other

• Agricultural Plastics - Boon or Bane? An agricultural waste market research study for NYS. 1997.
• Get the Goods: Not the Garbage. 255p educational instruction to teach limited resource homemakers about waste reduction, 1994.
• Packaging Waste: Whose Responsibility Is It Anyway? (appendices)
• Pay As You Throw NYC RT report 32p report of the New York City Roundtable, 2000.
• Waste Prevention Tools at Work. 80p manual and 13 minute video (free download) will help solid waste officials, educators, recycling professionals, and businesses reduce the amount of solid waste generated by businesses, with a particular focus on retail, hospitality, and small office sectors. Includes waste assessment methods, cost evaluation information, and work sheets. 1994. Contact CWMI to order.
• Waste Reduction Through Consumer Education (summary)