YOLO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - On September 28, a crowd of nearly a hundred residents, community leaders, and visiting waste management professionals participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Northern Recycling Composting and Construction and Demolition Recycling Facility at the Yolo County Central Landfill (YCCL).

The new facility increases Yolo County’s capacity to produce organic compost from 52,000 to 182,000 tons annually. In addition, the facility combines construction, demolition, and inert (C&D) material recycling and eliminates the need to truck C&D to Sacramento for sorting.

“Yolo County leads the way in our region to ensure a reduction in greenhouse gases, safely reusing of waste while providing nutrient-rich compost for community members to use at their homes, businesses, and farms,” said Yolo County Supervisor Angel Barajas. “Converting waste products to compost and energy will immediately provide community and environmental benefits, which will last for generations.”

The YCCL spent a decade researching, planning, and solving regulatory issues before its Grand Opening.

The composting facility is the first of its kind in the region, employing an emissions-reducing composting process called Covered Aerobic Static Pile (CASP). The CASP creates optimal composting conditions via positive aeration, automatic irrigation, advanced temperature control, and a biofilter layer.

CASP reduces odors, and air emissions, such as volatile organic compounds and ammonia, during the process and reduces water use. It also eliminates the need to use industrial vehicles to turn the compost, which reduces air pollutants from such equipment.

Yolo County Supervisor Angel Barajas, Supervisor Gary Sandy, Supervisor Don Saylor, and Supervisor Jim Provenza joined Yolo County Administrator Gerardo Pinedo and the Yolo County Director of Integrated Waste Management Ramin Yazdani.

Representatives from Congressman Mike Thomson, Senator Bill Dodd, and Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry also attended.

“The Northern Recycling partnership will help us produce organic soil for a wide array of resources the community depends upon, including landscape suppliers, residences, large agricultural sites, and also generate recyclables from our construction and demolition waste,” said Supervisor Gary Sandy.

Mainspring Energy and YCCL simultaneously announced the installment of a 100% landfill biogas linear generator pilot project. The linear generator will run on biogas – collected from methane emissions – produced by the landfill to generate a renewable electricity source for site operations and supply the power to the grid. Yolo County generates enough power from landfill gas and biogas for more than 3,000 homes.

“We are excited to partner with Mainspring and continue to demonstrate the production of renewable electricity using a new and innovative technology that has the potential to increase the efficiency of electricity production and reduce air emissions,” said Director Ramin Yazdani.

The YCCL continues its mission to offer excellent service to the community as it optimally balances the challenge of regulatory compliance, environmental protection, and cost-effectiveness.

The YCCL is offering free compost to Yolo County residents only during September and October. To learn more about the YCCL, visit www.yolocounty.org/government/general-government-departments/community-services/integrated-waste-management-division.