A study was conducted to evaluate composting as a means of increasing waste diversion at Ft. Polk, LA. Wastes were evaluated from a range of activities, and the authors found that a number of materials currently landfilled are suitable for composting, including: vegetation, food wastes, pulverized paper (which is not suitable for recycling), consumer-contaminated paper (not suitable for recycling), damaged wood pallets, and sludge from the wastewater treatment plants. Waste records from Ft. Polk suggest a composting operation producing at least 2200 tons per year (from a food waste/vegetation strategy) is feasible. This would represent considerable solid waste diversion, consistent with meeting Net Zero Waste Goals. Between the Integrated Training Area Management (ITAM), the Directorate for Family, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (DFMWR) (golf course, athletic and drill fields), and smaller groups, there are enough users to consume all the compost that could be generated from an on-site operation. A suitable area for on-site composting is available. There are also other alternatives to on-site composting, including current management, which is outlined in this report; other means of waste diversion (including direct soil application of certain waste materials and anaerobic digestion of food wastes); and the possibility of developing partnerships with composting facilities offsite. Although this project is focused on Ft. Polk, the assessment could be-in a broad sense-applicable to other Army installations. In addition, the issues found at the Joint Training and Readiness Center (JTRC) might have applicability to contingency environments and deployed operations. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents.
Solid waste management is an important engineering function at Forward Operating Bases (FOBs). Due to the contingency nature of base operations and daily life at the FOB, waste generation is likely to be always higher than Continental United States (CONUS) on a per soldier basis. To improve operational effectiveness and efficiency, there is a need to gather baseline information on which to evaluate the performance of new technologies and approaches to solid waste management. To fill this data gap, the Army Study Program funded a group of studies for power, water, and waste management. This specific work characterized and quantified solid waste generation, which includes septage ("blackwater") generation, at the "per soldier" and base camp level.
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service Retail Service Station Standard Design and Specifications, and Department of Defense Fuels Facilities Engineering Panel require the use of underground storage tanks (USTs). U.S. Army Installation Management Command garrisons prefer to install aboveground storage tanks (ASTs), and have requested waivers to this standard design. The decision to select either storage tank type must consider a number of factors, including: Federal, state, and local regulatory requirements; capital costs; environmental and safety risks; and added infrastructure. This work was undertaken to provide a decision making tool to help justify granting or denying exemption requests. Considering account installation, annual costs, and tank removal, it is estimated that AST systems are minimally 4% more expensive than USTs over their 30-year lifetime. If recommended AST practices and purchases are made, it is likely that the life cycle cost of an AST will be ~20% more expensive than that of a UST system over 30 years. It is therefore recommended that waiver requests not be given out freely, but it is also recommended that waiver requests be granted in situations where USTs can be proven to be a higher risk for leaks and failures than are ASTs. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.