Composting Solid Waste in Military Contingency Operations

Abstract

Armies around the globe have always had to deal with the problem of solid waste. Today, a large percentage of solid waste is packaging materials (cardboard, paper, and plastic), in addition to waste food and sewage sludge. While much of the solid waste generated at base camps is biologically degradable, the solid waste problem presents significant waste management challenges for the U.S. Army. This is a particular concern when we operate in countries where there are few if any modern waste disposal facilities. During the past 2 years, the United States Army Europe (USAREUR) Engineer Support Operations (ESO) has tested a composting system that converts up to 85 percent of the putrescible waste (waste that decomposes) generated at base camps into a usable product. Additionally, this composting system greatly reduces pathogens, as well as minimizes odor and bioaerosol emissions. The compost produced by the system can be used in a variety of ways, including erosion control, soil amendment, or land application in agricultural, forestry, or mine reclamation use.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA592492

Entities

People

  • James F. Lee
  • Joseph Bost
  • Stephen Stouter

Organizations

  • United States Army Engineer School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Climate Change
  • Containers
  • Engineers
  • Environmental Management
  • Force Protection
  • Fuels
  • Health
  • Materials
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Personnel
  • Monitoring
  • Packaging
  • Personnel Management
  • Solid Waste
  • United States
  • Waste Disposal Facilities
  • Waste Management

Readers

  • Economics
  • Environmental Engineering.