ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the soil-building potential of urban residuals. Descriptions and characterization of the organic components of both waste streams are discussed. Centralized wastewater treatment plants use a range of processes to separate the water used to convey the solids from the solids themselves. Yard waste and food scraps are the two main components of municipal solid waste (MSW) that have value for soils. Greenhouse gas emission avoidance is considered to be the most significant benefit realized when municipal biosolids and the organic fraction of MSW are diverted from landfills or combustion facilities. The New York City Department of Sanitation does not collect and compost food scraps. In the absence of a centralized collection program, they provide training to individuals and groups on how to compost. The goal of the training is to set up neighborhood composting operations. This program was started in 1993 as a means to build support and public awareness for waste diversion and composting.
