ABSTRACT
Proper siting and design are prerequisites to establishing safe and effective composting facilities. Decisionmakers should take care in selecting a suitable site and developing an appropriate design so as to control both construction costs and operational problems over the life of the facility. This chapter describes factors that should be considered when siting and designing facilities for the composting of MSW or yard trimmings. In general, the primary issues to consider involve odor control (see Chapter 4) and bioaerosol concerns (see Chapter 6). While both types of facilities have similar siting and design requirements, more stringent measures are typically needed at MSW composting facilities. Throughout the siting and design process, it is crucial that the needs of the community be accommodated since public acceptance of a facility is key to its success. Local and state requirements also should be reviewed prior to siting and designing composting facilities. Many states have established specific criteria that composting facilities must address during siting and design. The criteria address many technical concerns, including those related to protecting human health and the environment, and can have an impact on facility location, land use, size, and other considerations. In general, detailed engineering plans typically must be approved by the state environmental protection agency in order to obtain a permit to construct and operate a MSW compost facility. (Chapter 7 discusses state legislation including the specific siting, design, and permitting requirements of several states.)
