Ouray County Composting Letter of Support
EcoAction Partners is asking for letters of support from the community in preparation for a grant available in the fall of 2020 (form below).
We are pursuing a medium sized commercial composter for Ouray County. The Ouray County Transfer and Recycle Station has been identified as a possible location, with initial verbal support from Ouray County and Bruin Waste (no binding promises or financial support at this time, though).
Western State in Gunnison, and Fort Lewis College in Durango are currently performing studies on Rocket Composters, and EcoAction is following along with their findings.
Rocket Composter A900
FAQ
Does it stink?
Not really. There is an earthy odor, but it is less noticeable than regular trash.
Will it attract bears?
Western State and Fort Lewis have not reported any bear issues as the composters emit very little odor. One of the benefits of the Ouray County Transfer Station would be that it is already fenced.
Does it have to be inside? Will it freeze?
It does not need to be inside, but it does need to sit on a concrete pad, and be covered. The Rocket has an internal thermostat and heater that supplements the natural heat created by the composting process, when necessary.
How much electricity does it use?
Average power costs are reported at 30 kWh per week. That’s less than $20 per month. We will have actual usage data in cold climates from Western State and Fort Lewis in spring/summer 2020.
Who will maintain it?
We’re exploring options for this. Some ideas include hiring a part-time employee, encouraging a private business, and further partnering with Bruin. Leave a suggestion in the form if you wish, or let us know if you’re interested in participating.
What about compostable cups and utensils?
The rocket can compost these! But they must be shredded first, and a shredder attachment is an option that we will pursue if we are able to secure funding. Did you know that compostable cups are not recyclable? They also don’t decompose in a landfill without oxygen. Until we have a shredder and commercial composting ability use #1 or #2 plastic if you need single-use items. Or better yet, ditch plastic altogether and use reusable.