The Washington Department of Ecology has strategically invested in CSANR and WSU through the Waste to Fuels Technology (WTFT) partnership. The WTFT partnership supports research to facilitate the commercialization of a number of second-generation organics processing technologies for integration with aerobic composting by our regional organics recycling industry. Within the partnership, technologies including composting, anaerobic digestion, and pyrolysis are being further developed to maximize the environmental benefits provided, minimize unintended negative impacts, understand and improve economics and address other barriers to broader implementation.
During the 2021-2023 biennium, research and extension efforts focused on
- Ensuring that compost facilities in the state can better understand air emissions
- Developing new strategies for controlling air emissions during the composting process
- Improving understanding of solid waste-to-energy and materials recovery technologies
- Education of a diversity of individuals on the beneficial impact of using soil amendments derived from organic materials
These efforts additionally created new pathways for converting food and woody biomass into valuable products. Together, these projects support the implementation of the State’s Solid and Hazardous Waste Plan (Washington State Department of Ecology, 2021).
Advancing Organics Management in Washington State: The Waste to Fuels Technology Partnership, 2021-2023 Biennium (PDF)
Boone, K., M. Garcia-Perez, T. Jobson, E. Bronstad, V. Crow, K. Hills, A. Whittmore, and G. Yorgey. 2022. Publication 22-07-002. Solid Waste Management Program, Washington Department of Ecology, Olympia, WA.
Technical Reports
Technical reports provide more detail on individual projects completed as part of the Waste to Fuels Technology Partnership during the 2021-2023 Biennium.
- Reduction of Odors and Greenhouse Gases from Composting Processes Using Biochar from Locally Available Bio-resources (PDF)
- Implementing Method 25.3 to Measure VOC Emissions from Composting in Washington State (PDF)