-----Original Message-----
From: AZH@... [mailto:AZH@...]On Behalf Of Gary Wangler
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2005 8:47 AM
To: AZH@...
Subject: Re: [AZH] small scale composting

You know,,, as I recall some time back,,, 1985??? I thought one or two
of the zoos at that time were processing and packaging the material as
'Zoo-poo' in both a novelty and useful material. Is this a thing of the
past??

I would have thought by now, some 20 years later, there would have been
a great product being sold or utilized.

I also remember when at the St. Louis Zoo, we did have a company
approach us to take our manure and process it for resale but the zoo
administrators were afraid of the liability and repercussions from the
end user if there was a contaminate or bio- hazard that might affect
someone and the zoo being sued in the long run.

Fortunately, I don't have these problems anymore being at a medical
facility but I do enjoy reading the e-mails from you guys and helping
out if possible.

It might be well worth researching with the US Compost Council as I
mentioned to Laurie to find out what's going on in individual states.

Seems to me, there's a great product being over-looked and money being
lost.

Gary.




Gary Wangler,
Horticulturist / Supervisor
St. Louis Children's Hospital
1 Children's Place
St. Louis, Missoouri 63110

(314) 454-4770

>>> dgreen@... 12/15/2005 8:41 AM >>>
Hi Laurie,
We are in the same situation as you described.  Too much waste for
small homeowner-type operation, but no space for windrow operation.

We found a local company that was interested in starting a compost
business.  I found this contact through the University of Georgia
Outreach Engineering Program.

Currently, the company provides a 20 cu yd dump trailer which is hauled
off grounds once per week to their facility for composting.  We use this
strictly for Elephant Waste and bedding at the moment.  We were able to
negotiate a rate that was comparable to that of the previous disposal
fee.  We are in the process of purchasing the compost back from the
company to use on grounds.  I hope to market and sell the product in
small quantity soon.

The landscape waste we generate in the Horticulture department is
chipped and put back into the landscape.  The other waste (bamboo from
Pandas) is collected by another company that composts this as green
waste.

It has been a learning experience to go through this exercise, but very
worthwhile.  Please contact me if you would like any other information.
Good Luck!


Danielle L. Green
Curator of Horticulture
Zoo Atlanta
800 Cherokee Avenue, S.E.
Atlanta, GA  30315

Phone  404-624-5620
Fax  404-624-5841

>>> LSpangler@... 12/15/05 09:18AM >>>
We do not generate enough waste nor have the space for a large scale
(windrow type) compost operation.   However, we are surpassing the
ability to compost on a homeowner's level with backyard compost bins.
Do any of you work with a local company that would pick up livestock
manure for composting?  If so what kind of container is used for holding
the manure?   I would like to approach a local quarry that already uses
leaves to make a topsoil that they sell.   They want more organic matter
so I see an opportunity there but want to have more information before
approaching them.

Laurie Spangler, Interim Curator/Director
Conservation Coordinator/Registrar
Mill Mountain Zoo
PO Box 123484
Roanoke VA  24034

Phone:  (540) 343-3241
Fax:  (540) 343-4066

Mill Mountain Zoo's Conservation Vision is to empower and inspire zoo
staff, guests and the community to take conservation  action.



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