A new report from the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that nearly 60 percent of the 6.9 million tons of biosolids generated in 1998 were put to a beneficial reuse such as land application or landfill cover. By the year 2010, 70 percent of the estimated 8.2 million tons of biosolids will be reused, the report predicted.
The new study, Biosolids Generation, Use and Disposal in the United States, focuses on biosolids generated by publicly owned treatment works and the subsequent management practices used by POTWS for treating and then recycling or disposing of biosolids.
The report is part of an EPA series on solid waste management and actually was written for municipal solid waste facility operators and state and local solid waste decision-makers. It is designed to help in developing coordinated biosolids management programs with local POTWs and other generators.
Out of a total of 6.9 million dry tons generated in 1998, EPA estimated that 2.8 million dry tons were land applied after being treated to a Class B pathogen status. An additional 0.8 million dry tons were beneficially used after further treatment, such as composting, advanced alkaline stabilization, or heat treatment, and 0.5 million dry tons were used in another manner.
The report estimates that approximately 40 percent of the biosolids generated in 1998 were discarded with no attempt to recover nutrients or other valuable properties. The report estimates that at least 20 percent of biosolids were managed by MSW facilities through either landfilling (17 percent) or as landfill cover (3 percent). An estimated additional 6 percent were managed by MSW facilities in composting programs. Approximately 1.5 million dry tons were incinerated.
EPA predicted that the use of biosolids will increase in the future due to the benefits from recycling, cost considerations, and public perception issues associated with disposal. In 2000, EPA estimates that 7.1 million tons of biosolids will be generated for use or disposal, growing to 7.6 million tons in 2005 and to 8.2 million tons in 2010.
The percentage of biosolids used (rather than disposed of) will grow from 63 percent in 2000 to 66 percent in 2005 and to 70 percent in 2010. A trend away from disposal and toward use would result in a decline in biosolids disposed of in MSW landfills and an increase in the use of biosolids as landfill cover and in composting programs at MSW facilities.
In 2000, EPA estimates at least 14 percent of biosolids will be landfilled and 3 percent used as landfill cover. An estimated additional 6 percent might be used in composting programs. By 2005, an estimated 13 percent will be landfilled, 3 percent will be used as landfill cover, and 6.5 percent will be composted at MSW facilities.
EPA predicted that the beneficial use of biosolids will continue to be hindered by public opposition in some areas of the country. The public acceptance issues involve concerns about pollutants in the biosolids, risk of disease, and odors.
Over time, as industrial pretreatment of wastewater has advanced, the quality of biosolids has continued to improve, EPA said.
Public acceptance concerns can be effectively addressed through a combination of approaches, including assessment of public attitudes, modifications to biosolids management programs, outreach and education, and marketing of biosolids products.
The report, Biosolids Generation, Use and Disposal in the United States, may be downloaded from the EPA website, http://www.epa.gov. It is also available from the EPA Office of Solid Waste.
