The Composting Handbook

Dr. Rynk has been researching and teaching about processing of waste and agricultural materials for over 30 years. His areas of expertise include waste management, biomass processing and conversion, natural treatment processes, odor management, spontaneous combustion and energy conversion and conservation. He is internationally recognized for his work and expertise in the field of composting. He has authored numerous publications about composting, waste management and energy. He holds a Professional Engineering license in Agricultural Engineering. He is a regular instructor for composting training schools and workshops, nationally and internationally. He is co-instructor and co-developer for the "Foundations of Composting workshop, held annually at the U.S. Composting Council conference. Bob was the editor and lead author for the original On-Farm Composting Handbook, which is the precursor to The Composting Handbook. Bob is Professor Emeritus with The State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill. Ginny Black served on the Compost Councils Research and Education Foundation Board of Trustees since 1995, chairing the organization since 2014. She served on the US Composting Council's Board of Directors from 1995 to 2010. She currently chairs the Minnesota Composting Council (MNCC), a non-profit organization founded in 2012. The MNCC is a State Chapter of the US Composting Council, working with composters, businesses, and the public sector to divert and process organic materials to compost facilities. Ginny served as a technical staff person for recycling and composting with the Minnesota State Agency's from 1987 to 2013, setting up recycling and composting programs throughout the state of MN. In her last 12-years she focused exclusively on promoting reduction and composting of organic materials. She also served on the City of Plymouth's city council from 1995 to 2013 and was the Councils Representative to the City's Environmental Quality Commission. Dr Jane Gilbert has a background in microbiology and biochemistry and has been involved in the organics recycling sector for over twenty-five years. She is the former chief executive of the UK Composting Association, co-founder of the European Compost Network and the current Chair of the International Solid Waste Association's Biological Treatment Working Group. Jane is a Fellow of the UK's professional body, the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, and is an ISWA International Waste Manager. Over the years, she has authored a number of technical publications on composting and the benefits of compost use. Jane trades as Carbon Clarity, providing consultancy, training and writing services. Equipped with degrees in Agriculture (Organic Farming) and Environmental Science, Johannes has worked in organics recycling, composting and the use of recycled organics products for over 35 years both in Australia and overseas. He has extensive experience as consultant and rese...

1. Why Compost?
2. Enterprise Planning
3. The Composting Process
4. Compost Feedstocks
5. Passively Aerated Composting Methods, Including Turned Windrows
6. Forced Aeration Composting, Aerated Static Pile, and Similar Methods
7. Contained Composting Methods and Methods Summary
8. Composting Animal Mortalities
9. Compost Operations and Equipment
10. Site Planning, Development, and Environmental Protection
11. Process Management
12. Odor Management and Community Relations
13. Safety and Health Principles and Practices
For Composting Facilities
14. Facility Management
15. Compost Quality and Testing
16. Compost Use
17. Compost Use for Plant Disease Suppression
18. Compost Marketing and Sales
19. Composting Economics