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Sustainable Urban Composting: Determining Best Practices for Organic Waste Management in Burlington, Vermont
Shepard, Caroline
Shepard, Caroline
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Abstract
Diverting solid waste from landfills is an essential component in creating sustainable cities and communities in the United States. A large percentage of refuse waste is organic material (i.e., food waste) which can be managed through composting processes as an alternative to landfill disposal. Through the lens of sustainable urban planning, the development of an organic materials processing facility can be difficult as its operational processes are often undesirable and burdensome to surrounding communities, environments, and economies. Three examples of successful and sustainable urban organic waste management programs were examined to identify the balance among the social, environmental, and economic growth factors of sustainable development. Each case example (Dubuque, Iowa; Seattle, Washington; and Toronto, Ontario) was also used as the basis for sharp comparison to Chittenden County, Vermont. This study's findings resulted in the creation of a set of recommendations and best practices for the future development of a sustainable organic waste management program for Chittenden County and the urban area of Burlington, Vermont.
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2011-05-17