How MWRD Biosolids and Composted Biosolids Program Fits in the Bio Based Circular Economy ? Kuldip Kumar, Ph.D Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Email: kuldip.kumar@mwrd.org Phone: 708.588.3579 Ahmad Laban, Biosolids Manager, Ahmad.Laban@mwrd.org Dominic Brose, Dr. Solids, Dominic.Brose@mwrd.org Tom Kunetz, Energy Neutrality, Thomas.Kunetz@mwrd.org

CONCLUSIONS If you are composting, any type - you are doing GOOD for environment, society, & sustainability; you get 70/100. If you are able to introduce anaerobic digestion for all easily biodegradable waste (food scraps, FOG etc), capturing energy in the form of biogas, and then making compost of digestate – you are doing GREAT; you get 100/100. At MWRD Chicago – We are doing GREAT things with our Resources Recovery Program and our goal of becoming UTILITY OF THE FUTURE.

Biosolids, Fertilizers, Compost, & Manure Total Land in US – 2.3 Billion Acres Under Agriculture – 315 Million Acres 0.2% Ag Land Receives Biosolids 7 Million Ton Biosolids 30 Million Ton Compost Fertilizer 55 Million Ton Manure 140 Million Ton 7 % Ag Land Receives Manure

Compost and Sustainability Soil Health Management - National Advocacy A roadmap for collective action to secure the conservation and economic benefits of healthy soils Using soil health principles and systems- Improve C sequestration, wildlife and pollinator habitat, crop yields and profits

Compost and Sustainability Recovered Resources MWRD biosolids Organic materials – wood chips, yardwaste, etc. Value-added Product – Compost Soil Quality Benefits Soil health & physical properties, water infil. & retent. Soil fertility, nutrient use Environmental Benefits Increase conservation, ecosystem services Reduce GHG, landfilling, chemical use, nutrient loss Socio-Economic Benefits Increase productivity, green space, jobs, well-being Reduce O&M costs

EQ Biosolids Compost – An Exception In 2015 the IL Environmental Protection Act was amended to adopt federal standards for Exceptional Quality (EQ) biosolids and biosolids products “EQ biosolids and compost are recovered resources, not sludge, not waste” MWRD Windrow Compost Midlothian Greenspace

Current Biosolids Distribution Programs 2016 Biosolids Utilization (total 105,000 DT) Pelletizer (35%) (contracted land application) Farmland (44%) Urban land (13%) Landfill Cover (8%) The MWRD’s goal is 100% beneficial reuse of biosolids. We have developed a diversified approach to bioslids distribution, With final application done through a combination of pellets, farmland application, urban land application, and landfill cover. 3,400 tons P 5,200 tons N 31,300 tons C

The Challenge

IPCC Conclusions Warming of the climate system Increasing in global average air and ocean temperatures Rising global average sea level Reductions of snow and ice Warmest 12 years on record

is dominated by fossil fuels. The current global energy system is dominated by fossil fuels. Shares of energy sources in total global primary energy supply in 2008

Urban Metabolism LINEAR METABOLISM CIRCULAR METABOLISM Goods Water Fuel Timber Food Waste Gasses Solid waste Liquid waste CITY INPUTS OUTPUTS CIRCULAR METABOLISM FARMBELT Goods Water Fuel Timber Food Waste Gasses Solid waste Liquid waste CITY INPUTS FARMBELT OUTPUTS

3Rs - Education and AR campaigns for schools, general public , all stakeholders - most cost effective; income and employment generation Address growing Consumerism by refusing to buy new commodities

MWRD Resource Recovery Ordinance (September 1st, 2016) Receive Bio-waste for many beneficial uses: Enhanced Biological Phosphorus (P) Removal from Wastewater to Meet NPDES Effluent P Limits Energy Neutrality Goals – Biogas/Anaerobic Digestion Composting Biosolids w/Wood Chips, Yard Waste, and other Bio-waste to Make Class A Exceptional Quality (EQ) Biosolids Compost

Energy States of Carbon: All About Biorecycling Reduction (gaining e- ) Photo synthesis Carbon dioxide Anaerobic digestion CH4 (CH2O)n CO2 methane Org C (biomass) Fully reduced Fully oxidized Combustion, respiration Oxidation (losing e- ) Methane biomass Carbon dioxide Energy rich moderate none Redox state -4 In between +4 COD (energy) 4 g OD/g (180.4 Wh /g) Typically 1-3 g OD/g zero

Carbon Flow in Biosphere CO2 C – Soil Methane Energy Recovery\BiosolidsCompost Compost Biosolids Biosolids Org. Biomass

Bio-based Circular Economy Fertilizer Biosolids Compost Compost Fertilizer Manure Manure Compost Biosolids/ Composted-biosolids

Imports Landfills C I B D O I G R E E S A T I N O A N C T O S M O P Reduce Imports of Energy Dense Fertilizers Reduce Imports of Fossil Fuels C RURAL AREAS CITIES I B D O I G R E E S Organic Waste Food waste Yard waste Ag. Residues A T I N O A N C Bio refineries Biogas T Nutrient Cycle O S M O P X Compostable Organic Waste X Compostable Inorganic Waste (Gypsum Board etc.) Landfills

How MWRD Biosolids and Composted Biosolids Program Fits in the Bio Based Circular Economy ? LET US DEVELOP A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP A BIO BASED CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN CHICAGOLAND AND PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT AND OUR FUTURE Kuldip Kumar, Ph.D Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Email: kuldip.kumar@mwrd.org Phone: 708.588.3579 Ahmad Laban, Biosolids Manager, Ahmad.Laban@mwrd.org Dominic Brose, Dr. Solids, Dominic.Brose@mwrd.org Tom Kunetz, Energy Neutrality, Thomas.Kunetz@mwrd.org