City leaders continue to look at options for landfill

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Myron Hirschman, president of Hirsch Systems, holds up a sample ofcomposted materials. Hirschman said a biofilter helps eliminate odors sometimes associated with composting. (Melissa Brownrigg)

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While Clarke County landfill approaches its expiration date, city and county leaders are considering another option – composting.

Winterset resident Myron Hirschman of Hirsch Systems asked for Osceola City Council's support to build a potential composting facility a few miles east of Osceola.

The facility would reduce the amount of waste taken to the landfill and would accept food organics, paper products, yard waste and other compostable products.

Hirschman said building the facility in the area isn't a certainty and it depends on many factors, including receiving the support of the county, city and many business owners.

"There's still some hurdles and a lot of details that still need to be worked out," he said. "A lot depends on long term contracts with local businesses."

HURDLES

One hurdle Hirschman has to overcome is the economy. Hirschman would be responsible for building and maintaining the facility. To do so, he said he will apply for low interest loans from Department of Natural Resources.

Time is of the essence, because these loans might disappear.

"I want to apply soon or they might be gone," he told the council.

The existence of the facility also depends on receiving a permit from the state and operations must pass local zoning.

Another hurdle is overcoming misconceptions about compost facilities, Hirschman said.

Many people relate composting to strong odors.

Hirschman said these odors can be eliminated by controlling the materials in buildings and treating the air with a biofilter, a layer of organic material and wood chips.

"The biofilter is a very important part of the recipe," Hirschman said. "I want zero odors, that's my goal. The biofilter is simple to use, easy to maintain and it works."

Several city and county officials who recently toured compost operations around Iowa said they were impressed and surprised similar facilities didn't give off an odor.

Councilman Bill Ogbourne was among those representatives who went.

"There was hardly any smell at all, but an earthy smell," he said.

BENEFITS

Although the composting operation isn't official, many council members embraced the idea of having an alternative option for some waste, especially in light of the landfill's approaching 2011 closing date.

The closing landfill was one reason Hirschman is looking to build in the area.

"The community needs to be looking at its options," he said.

Councilman and Clarke County Landfill Commission member Jim Kimball said he thinks composting is an opportunity the city should be considering.

"We're interested in all the options, and this is one of them that would make sense and keep things local," he said. "This is definitely an option that we're going to investigate and we encourage the development of the facility."

Ogbourne said composting won't solve the landfill dilemma, but will help.

"This is a very viable alternative to digging holes in ground," said Ogbourne. "We're just putting the waste in a different place, instead of digging a hole in the ground and burying it with clay. And in the end,  we're turning the waste into usable product."

According to Davenport's compost facility, compost can help make plants healthier.

Hirschman said he has seen compost work miracles on dying plants or grass and has the before and after pictures to prove it.

According to Hirschman, composting could significantly reduce the amount of waste taken to the landfill by up to 75 percent if the entire community becomes involved.

Hirschman is also interested in the area because of the number of businesses in town, including restaurants, grocery stores and manufacturers, that generate a high percentage of compostable waste.

The compost facility would not only accept waste from these businesses, but also citizens for a tipping fee. The amount of the tipping fee hasn't been set.

The council also discussed curbside compost pickup. City Administrator Bill Kelly said this could be an option, but one that would be considered "far down the road."

COMPOSTING OPERATIONS

Hirschman has 20 years experience in the composting business, but he said he never stops being amazed by the process and the end product.

"It's a very rewarding process," he said. "I never get tired of seeing the product change. The industry is a lot more established and is continuing to evolve."

"The end product might not be pretty, but it makes good compost and it's a wonderful product to have around."

As part of Hirschman's plans, he will buy 80 acres, but would only use 10 acres for composting. The rest of the land would be devoted to offices, grinding area and a place where yard waste is deposited.

Hirschman said he hasn't bought the land yet, but will do so "subject to everything coming together."

And if everything works out, Hirschman said he could begin construction of operations in spring.

The compostable material would be unloaded directly into two 50 by 75 feet buildings. The entire process to make usable compost would take 90 days. Hirschman said he would most likely have a product to sell locally and in bulk by fall.

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