Characterization of Man-made Foreign Matter

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At a time when MSW is still being examined for potential composting,- and in Europe for “MBT” – the issue of non degradable content and dispersible plastic residue content remains a significant issue. This published paper presents a somewhat unique and ground breaking study conducted at the Woods End Laboratory as part of a New York City DOS supported project. Hundreds of tons of NYC trash was actually transported to an out-of-state MSW composting operation, sequestered and run through the process. The research paper specifically examines non-degraded textile and plastic fibers present in the finished compost. Techniques included using optical and electron-spectrographic microscopy, FTIR imaging and forensic micro-physical methodology to derive a picture of the range and concentration within compost-humus of obviously non degraded plastic content “down to the finest micron level”. Heat-annealed polyethylene strands from disposable diapers were ubiquitous as well as colored textiles suggesting fragmentation of rugs and carpets. Even micro-fine PVC fragments were found. “The study shows that once compost source ingredient is collected and blended in this manner, you probably can never get it clean by any reasonable standard” says the principle author.