title: Open windrow composting of polymers: an investigation into the operational issues of composting polyethylene (PE).
abstract: This paper investigates the operational issues surrounding the open windrow composting of degradable polyethylene sacks. Areas for consideration were the impact of degradable polyethylene sacks on the composting process, the quality of the finished compost product, and how the use of sacks influenced the on-site processing. These factors were investigated through determining the amount of polymer residue and chemical contaminants in the finished compost product and the daily monitoring of windrow temperature profiles. Site and practical handling considerations of accepting an organic waste contained within PE sacks are also discussed. Statistical analysis of the windrow temperature profiles has led to the development of a model that can help to predict the expected trends in the temperature profiles of open compost windrows where the organic waste is kerbside collected using a degradable PE sack.
authors.affiliation: Water and Environmental Research Centre, University of Bristol, UK. georginaudavis@aol.com
authors.forename: G U
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000378:metabolism; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000378:metabolism*; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D009930:Organic Chemicals; D020959:Polyethylene