Organic by-products from industrial and agricultural sources possess chemical, physical and biological traits desirable for a variety of land uses. Many of these by-products could also be combined to maximize their beneficial land use.

The Fox River Valley represents one of the fastest growing urban populations in the state. Because of increasing competition for land and rising land fill costs and increasingly restrictive regulations on spreading of organic wastes, farmers and industries in the Fox Valley are looking for alternatives to direct land spreading and/or land filling of raw wastes.

We have received a one-year grant from the University of Wisconsin’s University-Industry Relations Program to evaluate the economic, technical, organizational and regulatory feasibility of combining organic wastes in a centralized processing facility in the Fox River Valley. That study is now complete.

The centralized processing facility would collect organic wastes, process them into soil amendments using appropriate technologies (anaerobic digestion, composting, dehydration) and market the finished products (fertilizers, composts, soil blends) to landscapers, horticultural enterprises, State departments of transportation, golf courses, land reclamation projects, etc.

Benefits
If successful, this project could have a significant short- to long-term economic impact in Northeast Wisconsin. It should reduce waste handling costs for most of the industries, farms and municipal agencies participating in the project. It should also generate revenue from the sale of the soil amendment products. It may also alleviate regulatory oversight and lower liability costs associated with waste handling and disposal. It should facilitate industry compliance with ISO 14,000 environmental management standards. Overall, the project should have a beneficial economic and environmental impact in the region by converting wastes to resources, reducing over-application of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) on agricultural lands and redistributing organic matter to soils where it is most needed.

Project Description
We are conducting a feasibility study of a pilot scale processing facility in the Fox River Valley. This study includes
1) demographics of “waste generators” (geographic location, company size, volumes and timing of wastes generated)
2) chemical and physical characteristics of each waste stream as well as combinations of wastes
3) economics of transporting wastes to a centralized processing facility
4) suitability of processing technologies for production of soil amendments; e.g., fertilizers and or compost
5) costs of building a processing plant and managing a facility
6) market opportunities for finished products
7) business structure of processing facility, e.g., a cooperative structure vs. other types of structures
8) existing regulatory and political climate for such a project and changes that might be needed to provide incentives for this type of project
9) potential location of centralized processing facility and sources of financing.

We have identified several “waste generators” (industries, livestock farmers, municipalities) and waste “integrators” (public sector agency or private sector company or entrepreneur, responsible for waste collection, processing and marketing/distribution) who might participate in a pilot-scale centralized waste processing project. We anticipate that at least one food processor, several large dairies, Appleton Wastewater and Department of Public Works (yard waste), a paper mill and a wood products processor (pallet company, lumber mill) will be the major “waste generators.” We also expect Agriliance (formerly Cenex Land O’Lakes) to play a major role as either waste processor/integrator or product marketer and distributor. These key players will participate in the feasibility study by providing information about the demographics of their waste streams (amounts, timing, current fates) and chemical, physical and biological characteristics.

Agriliance will provide knowledge and expertise in product marketing and distribution. All key players will participate in discussions about the structure of their business partnership. We will explore the feasibility of a cooperative structure for bringing industries, farmers and municipal agencies together. The University of Wisconsin’s Center for Cooperatives and Cooperative Development Services (a consulting agency) are assisting with this part of the feasibility study. We will also identify and evaluate appropriate processing technologies and potential markets. We will also develop a plan for securing private investments and grants for the construction and operation of the pilot processing facility.

Industry representatives, farmers and municipal government officials will be involved continuously and actively in the feasibility study. They will receive information about the economic and technical feasibility of a pilot-scale processing plant as it unfolds. We have formed a steering committee of several key players and an advisory group consisting of by-product generators, extension agents and state agency personnel. The steering committee will provide advice and guidance on technical, organizational and financial issues. The advisory group will provide feedback on the study as it progresses. We will test and demonstrate appropriate processing technologies on farm and at the Appleton Wastewater Division waste treatment facility.

We anticipate development of clear guidelines for use of optimal waste streams, processing technologies, business structures, and marketing/distribution opportunities for the soil amendments generated at a centralized processing facility. The feasibility study will be completed in 12 months, and it will serve as document for securing funds for a pilot-scale waste processing facility in the Fox River Valley. We will hold public and private presentations for potential financiers of the pilot-scale processing plant, including state and federal agency personnel, private investors and private foundation representatives. 

Executive Summary of the completed FRVOR Feasibility Study

Download the Project Feasibility Study Report