Too Much Recycling? Free Market Gov’s’ Empty Landfills Worry Wall St.

EARLIER: Moody’s Investors Service has threatened to downgrade the Delaware Solid Waste Authority, currently rated A2, because the state isn’t dumping nearly as much lucrative trash for local towns in its Cherry Island Landfill and other waste sites as it used to. The state dumps have suffered “substantial declines in tonnage since 2007, from over one million tons, to 675,000 tons in fiscal year ending June 30, 2012,” writes Moody’s in a new report. “The authority expects tonnage to stabilize in the 600,000 to 650,000 tons range in the near term. “A large part of the decline since 2010 is due to increased recycling efforts through state bill that prevented the authority’s direct participation. “Declines have also come in general waste reduction efforts by households.” If Delawareans don’t start throwing out more garbage, DSWA has the power…

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Worm Inn Season is Approaching!

I can't believe it... over the last few months I've practically ignored my Worm Inn system entirely.  It even got to the point where I was afraid to open it up and find that my worms had disappeared (died).  Looks like dumping water on it once or twice a week was enough, and that they indeed ate all the bedding I put in there although I'm sure that was their last priority. I opened up the Inn, and under the top layer of paper waste was nothing but beautiful castings and tons of tiny worms...so awesome.  Now it's time to see what they're made of as I get ready to start giving them heaps of stuff instead of throwing it in the tumbler outside. Worms surviving and thriving, leaves falling…

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Quick Questions with Peninsula Compost’s Nelson Widell

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvcqbvBkyNQ Recently I sent a few questions over to Nelson Widell at Wilmington Organic Recycling Center.  I've visited the facility a few times, and I had some questions about contamination and sorting, as well as bioplastics and pressure treated wood...so here we go: Tyler: How much compost is created each day? Nelson: We are producing about 200 tons per day of compost. Tyler: What would you say the average contamination rate is for your incoming loads? Nelson: Contamination is approximately 3% by weight. Tyler: What's your least favorite common contaminant you receive from incoming loads? (in compost receptacles available to patrons, I always see ketchup packs and plastic utensils) Nelson: The plastic circular label stickers put on bananas and tomatoes is the least favorite contaminant. Tyler: Describe the sorting system in…

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