I have spent the last two days attending the US Composting Council Conference in Oakland, CA. I have learned more than I ever imagined there was to know about composting, and I have just scratched the surface. Composting food scraps and yard/plant debris can provide a world of benefits in reducing green house gases, contribute nutrients to and renew our soils, aid in flood water management, and potentially reduce or remove toxins and antimicrobials from our environment. Composting what would otherwise be waste is a truly amazing opportunity for our communities.

I took a tour of the Jepson Prairie composting facility in January, and thanks to the help of Greg Pryor (thanks, Greg!) with Norcal Waste Systems, I am able to share that tour with you here. In just 60 days, the food scraps and other compostable materials collected in San Francisco are converted (composted) into a beautiful, rich material. When food scraps go to landfill, they either do not breakdown at all or breakdown anaerobically (without oxygen), creating methane gas and contributing to global warming instead. I am SO glad SF collects food scraps. Seems like a no brainer to me!

Jepson Prairie Compost Tour

Step One – Food scraps from San Francisco are delivered in 18 wheeler trucks to Jepson Prairie every day. Food scraps from Oakland, the UC Davis food court and special events, the CA Medical Facility in Vacaville and the State Prison in Folsom are also taken there. Yard debris from Vacaville, Dixon and Vallejo are hauled to the Jepson Prairie facility in standard route trucks.

The food scraps and yard debris are kept separate due to higher levels of non-compostable material (i.e. plastics) in the food scraps. A total of 300 tons of material are processed each day: on average 200 tons of food scraps and 100 tons of yard debris.

Food Scraps

 Yard Debris (lots of Christmas trees in early January)

Step Two – The food materials and yard debris are run through a grinder to reduce the material size. Straw and other organic materials are added to the food scraps in order to get the proper carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio and porosity for composting. This is typically not necessary for the yard debris. After going through the grinder, the food scraps are run through a sort line to remove non-compostable contaminants.

Food scraps after grinding

Step Three – After the material is ground, it is set out in windrows or long rows. The food rows are covered as a regulatory requirement to help aid the pathogen kill process. The material used to cover the food rows is like a textile, and also helps keep small bits of plastics and other contaminants from blowing onto neighboring land. The yard windrows are left uncovered.

Food Windrows

Step Four – The food windrows are left covered for 30 days, and must achieve a temperature of 131F for three consecutive readings before the cover can be removed. After it is uncovered, the food windrows are turned five times in 15 days so the entire windrow reaches the required temperature. The yard windrows are not covered, so turning begins immediately. The yard windrows must reach and maintain a temperature of 131F for 15 consecutive days and five turns.

Windrow Turner – Straddles/drives over the windrows, and flips/stirs and reforms the rows as it moves forward. (The background in this picture is previously covered landfill.)

Step Five – The compost stays in windrows for 60 days and until the required temperature is met. It is then cleaned and screened to 3/8” pieces or smaller, and any remaining contaminants in the food compost are removed. The food and yard debris compost is marketed separately, and is available for purchase by nurseries, wineries and for other agricultural uses. Nurseries typically get a blend of the food and yard compost, while wineries take the straight food compost, which is higher in nutrients. All of the compost is tested for pathogens and heavy metals, and specific testing can be done on request. Residents from Vacaville and Dixon may pick up three yards for free.

Final Product

In CA, over 40% of what gets thrown away (into garbage & ultimately landfill) could be composted, and reused as nutrients and water retention for our soil and food. This 40% includes food scraps, yard debris (leaves, branches, grass), and paper products that are wet or have come into contact with food, like paper plates, napkins, tissue (for the nose), waxy cardboard and even lined paper cups. For paper products with a lining, the rule of thumb is that at least 90% of the food container be paper, and can be ripped or torn. Sometimes, I will have to unroll the lip of a coffee cup to tear it, but nine paper cups out of ten will tear and can be composted.

When I lived in Asheville, I threw my food scraps in a pile outside to break down into high nutrient soil for my garden. Here in San Francisco, there is no outside, at least not where I can throw my food scraps. So, I had to come up with another plan. For me, throwing compostable material in the trash is a waste of resources and therefore, not an option.

Initially, I started my compost collection in the small Bio-Bags, which meet the City’s labeling requirements. I kept one inside my waste bin under my sink, and put my scraps in there as needed. However, the heat from the water pipes under the sink caused the bag to break down before it was full. The science experiment was great, but the smell was not so great, so I had to try something else.

Since heat was the issue, I decided to move the bag into the refrigerator. This has worked exceptionally well. I keep it in the produce drawer, and by cooling it, the bag and scraps can be held without odors for two weeks or more. I don’t have any issues with insects either. When the bag is full, I take it to a local grocery store, which generates and collects (in waxy cardboard boxes) at least a pallet of compostable fruits and vegetables a day.

I use other containers for compost as they come to me, and have included some pictures below for reference. I like the tall, lined oatmeal containers the best. I keep one by the kitchen sink for greater convenience. It holds a lot and well, and the whole thing can be composted when it is full! Same thing with any paper milk, OJ, or Epson salt container. Not pictured, but also useful are Bagasse (made from sugarcane, looks like thick white paper) clamshell to go boxes, waxy bagel bags, coffee ground bags. Anything made from paper, or a compostable material with holding capacity will work!

I hope to include images and a written tour of the composting facility where SF food scraps go next week, so check back for that. It is taking a little time to work out the details and facts.

If you have questions about composting or would like to schedule a training workshop for your employees or event vendors, please contact me at Janice@goodgreengraces.com.

I have been in search of a bed for the last week, sleeping on the couch in the meantime, and was tempted to buy new at some points in the process. However, I am glad to report that I was able to take care of all my needs through reuse. I saved substantial resources (money in my pocket) and have a beautiful new addition to my home to boot. Since time as well as money factors in the true cost of reuse, I have given a full account of both expense types for this adventure in reuse.

Time

I spent a total of approximately 10 hours shopping online and in person (includes public transit time) at used shops and homes since last Saturday. Using the same rate as previously referenced below ($14/hour), the total investment in time is $140.

Materials

The bed was listed on www.craigslist.org and located at 19^th Ave at Rivera in SF. It took four buses to get there and back to see/try it, and a total transit time of almost two hours, but the bed was in excellent condition and just right for my needs. The woman would not negotiate on the price when pressed, but agreed to include all the bed linens (almost two complete sheet sets, the mattress pad, and a down mattress cover), the frame, and delivery to my apartment for a total of $200. A refurbished bed at National Liquidators was available for $175, but delivery would be $50 and it was not nearly as comfortable, so $200 was cheaper than my next best reuse option. I decided to take it, as I did not want to sleep on the couch another week!

The cover was purchased for $15 at National Liquidators, and helps the bed seem more a seating area than a bed.

The two large pillow cases were purchased at Goodwill on Geary for $2.49, and stuffed with extra pillows that both I and a friend had. The three small pillows were purchased at Out of the Closet on Polk for $3.99 each.

Therefore, my new, used full size bed with a metal frame and full décor comes to a grand total of $361.48 ($221.48 in out-of-pocket cost). If I had purchased everything new, my out-of-pocket cost would have been approximately $1,378.00* plus tax. So, I saved approximately $1,156 through reuse. Not a bad looking bed for that price, no? Plus, I slept the entire night through the first night. Yes!

I also found a nice little used chair at the Goodwill yesterday for $5.99. They don’t make ‘em like this anymore, with the nice spindle legs connected all the way around. Very comfy too. Super high quality for a super low price. Buy used. Why would you ever need to buy anything new?

In the next post, we will examine just how little trash one person generates through true practice of reuse, recycling and composting. I think you will be pleasantly amazed at the true potential and opportunity of zero waste. We are not quite there yet, but we can get very close.

*Estimated cost if everything was purchased new:

Time to shop (estimated to be about the same)

Bed - $1018 (according to label on mattress)

Delivery - $50

Frame - $40

Linens – approximately $30 per set (total $60)

Mattress Pad - $15

King size cover - $150

Pillows - $15 each (total $45)

Total if everything purchased new: $1,378.00

I am all settled in my new place, minus a couple key pieces of furniture: a bed and some seating. The used couch I currently own is too big for my new space, but works fine for the interim. I have spent close to four hours shopping so far, both on craigslist.org and at used furniture stores, but have not found the right pieces thus far. Plus, the only things that came close were brand new. Buying used is my preference, but I am tempted to buy something new just to be done with the business of shopping.

I visited the majority of used furniture places yesterday. They are listed below for future reference. The Salvation Army and Harrington’s were both closed yesterday, but from the window, looked as though they might have a good selection. I planned to visit them today, but with the rainy weather and no answer by phone at either place, it is more attractive to stay home, warm and dry.

Due to this setback, I am tempted, so tempted to buy new. It would be so easy. Expensive (even the cheap stuff is expensive to me), but easy. The new beds are decently made, but with limited consideration of the environment, given the use of virgin materials and limited longevity of design. Both the new bunk bed frame and the new captain’s bed (with drawers – great storage!) are in my neighborhood. In a sense, I would be buying local, but there is no telling where the beds were shipped in from. Delivery would be cheap and fast. I could have either one in a matter of a day at most, and end the sleeping tour of the couch. I could use my credit card so this expense could be deferred for a month, which would be extremely helpful too. I am so tempted, but I just don’t think I can bring myself to do it.

Every other piece of furniture I own is used except for one. I kind of take pride in that. I have really enjoyed the process of finding each piece. A bed is pretty crucial for basic comfort, and I really don’t want the process to take more than a few days. Although the couch is functional, I would much rather be in a bed. The opportunity cost of buying used seems high right now. I could be in a bed tomorrow night! I am going to hold out a little longer though. I will write to let you know what happens. If you are in the City and have (or know of someone who does) a used full bed for sale, please send an email to janice@goodgreengraces.com.

Used Furniture Stores in San Francisco in no particular order

Next to New Consignment - JLSF · 2226A Fillmore Street, (415) 775.4100

National Liquidators - 1110 Van Ness Ave. (Geary), (415) 775-9999

Cottrell's Moving & Storage - (415) 431-1000

Moving Sale - 952 Howard St (5^th & 6^th), (415)-543-6833

Harrington’s – 599 Valencia (16^th), (415) 861-7300

Monument - 572 Valencia Street (17^th), (415) 861-9800

Community Thrift Store - 623 Valencia St. (17^th & 18^th), (415) 861-4910
Touch - 956 Valencia Street (20^th), (415) 550-2640

Salvation Army - 1500 Valencia St (26^th) (could not find good # for them)

Living Connections - 4550 Mission Street, (415) 585-8778

A&D Furniture Liquidators - 4889 Mission Street, (415) 585-3190

The Apartment - 3469 18th Street (Valencia), (415) 255-1100

Gypsy Honeymoon 3599 24th Street (Guerrero), (415) 821-1713

Happy New Year! It has been a busy one for me so far. Hence, the lack of blogs lately. In addition to my current projects, I went on a tour of the Jepson Prairie composting facility in Vacaville, CA this week with some colleagues from the SF Department of the Environment and a fellow blogger, Beth Terry (www.fakeplasticfish.com). The tour was fabulous and very educational. I will write more about this as soon as I get approval to post some pictures with the story…should be later this week.

This weekend, I spent a lot of time preparing for a move. I am staying in the same apartment building, but moving two doors down so I can enjoy a little more space and an exceptional view of Twin Peaks. My old apartment has a built-in Murphy bed, dresser and bookcases, but the new apartment does not. So, I started looking around for used furniture, as in my mind, there is no need to purchase anything new. I am all about reuse. Can you tell?

I was extremely fortunate, and found both a dresser and a bookcase in the basement of the building where I live. They were dirty, but free, so I figured it would be worth it to clean them up and save myself the trouble of looking any further. As I began the three phase cleaning needed to bring each piece into usable order, I began to wonder if reuse in this case was the most efficient use of my resources. I am all for reuse, but in addition to money, time is a resource too. Let me illustrate.

The dresser was filthy. First I had to knock the dust off with a dusting brush. When I realized how much dust and residue there was, I moved it outside so I would not have to breathe all the crap coming off of it. After dusting the outside, inside and all the drawers, I then used a wet sponge to wipe down all the surfaces. It was still dirty and needed to be polished, so then I used some Endust (not the most eco-friendly cleaner, so I asked a friend to have me tested for toxins if anything happened) for the final phase of cleaning.

All in all, I spent about two hours working on the dresser, and it still kind of smelled like basement. At the lowest wage I have worked in the last year, $14/hour, that put the new value of the dresser at $28. Not the cheapest used dresser I might have found…I got one on craigslist a year or so ago for $10, and it was clean and of better quality. This dresser was likely made in the mid-80s, and is a bit flimsy to say the least. One of the drawers is busted so that is not even usable. The base of the dresser is also busted, but will stay together. As I got further and further into this cleaning project, I began to wonder if perhaps I could have found a higher quality used dresser for less cost.

Of course, there is the time to shop, which I have very little of this month. It might have taken at least an hour or two to find another used dresser, either on craigslist.org or at a local used shopped. So, my time investment would have been about the same. Plus the cost to purchase an alternate used dresser. Plus the cost of moving it. So, in this case, local reuse was both the most economical and most sustainable option. Fortunately, the dresser after further airing doesn’t smell anymore either.

I could have bought an inexpensive new dresser for $70 or so, but the quality would, unfortunately, not have been much better. So, given my only investment was time and I kept this “cost” under $40, I feel like this was a pretty good deal.

Now I face the dilemma of what to do with the old shower curtain and all the chemicals that the prior tenant left that I don’t want and will not use. I really don’t want to put the vinyl shower curtain in the landfill, but don’t want to clean and reuse it either. It is pretty grungy. I am going to look into whether this can be recycled as is (without cleaning), and also how to best dispose/find a new home for the cleaning supplies. Need some? I will post my findings shortly. If you have any ideas about how to reuse/recycle the shower curtain, please post a comment to let me know!