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Memorandum to Solid Waste Advisory Council Members Page 3 March 17, 1983 III/1 YARD WASTE COMPOST PROPOSAL From a landfill abatement point of view, centralized composting facilities have the greatest potential. Therefore, most of the County's effort will be directed toward developing and establishing a network of small-scale centralized leaf composting facilities. Ramsey County will attempt to initiate the development of sevennew sites within the County in 1963. It is anticipated that three sites will be located in the northern suburbs while four sites will be located in different planning districts within St . Paul. A letter of agreement will be developed between the Environmental Health Division and the County's Public Works Department . The letter will describe Environmental Health's role in solid waste management and describe Public Works future involvement in the composting program. Grass/Leaf Demonstration Windrow In addition to the new sites, staff would like to conduct n small composting demonstration project focusing on grass clippings. We envision a small windrow (approximately 30' long by 5' to 6' wide and 4 ' to 5' high) composed of grass clippings and leaves. Grass and leaves would be mixed in a 2:1 ratio by volume. We believe that the pile should be turned at least once 11111 per week for four to six weeks. It may be necessary to turn the pile two additional times later in the summer. County staff will monitor the tempera- ture once a week for the first four to six weeks. • We estimate that it will cost approximately $153 to construct and water the windrow. Turning costs throughout the summer are estimated at $984 . The location of the windrow has not been determined. However it will be located adjacent to an existing leaf windrow to obtain leaves (partially degraded) . Staff anticipate persuading one hauler to provide one or two loads of grass clippings. County staff intend on hiring one temporary employee to work on the leaf composting program and implement a public awareness program. The employee will spend approximately 75% of their time on the leaf composting program and the remainder of their time on the public awareness program. This individual will assist county staff and work with the municipalities and contact people who become involved in developing the new sites and work to continue the New Brighton leaf composting program. The public awareness program will involve a variety of the following activities: writing the Ramsey County Update; organize a scrap book from newspaper articles relating to solid waste management, providing news releases on composting and recycling programs; writing articles describing solid waste management activities for local papers; possibly.developing radio releases on solid waste management; assisting staff to upgrade the 111/1 Courthouse office paper recycling program; update the County's slide show on solid waste management, give presentations to schools, civic groups,