Municipal Food Composting Project

  • Project typeDesign, construct and operate a food composting facility
  • Project valueTBD: ~$2 Million
  • Project schedule12 to 24 months (~Spring of 2027)
  • Contractor nameTBD
  • Completion DateMarch 10, 2027
Photograph of an aerated static pile. The image depicts rich compost sitting on top of lateral pipes. An attached fan pushes air through the laterals and up into the organic material to create compost.

Project purpose and scope

Design, construct and operate a Municipal Food Composting facility at the Los Alamos landfill at 3701 E. Jemez Road.  When completed, the County will need to hire three additional employees to operate the program which will provide various drop-off sites for residents and curbside collection for businesses. The project is intended to reduce waste, greenhouse gas emissions and provide fertile soil available to our 

This project supports the following Council's Strategic Goals & Objectives

Natural Resource Protection, Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Waste Management, all three of which are under the Environmental Stewardship Goal. 

Background

2024 Feb 06:

The Los Alamos County project team returned to the Council and received approval to begin discussions with DOE to modify the lease agreement and change the method from a windrow to an aerated static pile.

2023 Jul - 2023 Dec:

The Los Alamos County project team explored options at the Eco Station site due to limitations at Bayo Canyon. As DOE owns the landfill, Los Alamos would need to amend a lease agreement with DOE and change the recommended method due to space limitations.

2023 Mar - 2023 Jul:

Los Alamos County project team began searching for an alternative site with Bayo Canyon, but no suitable location was identified due to DOE restrictions or lack of feasibility.

2022 Sep - 2023 Mar:

The Los Alamos County project team began the conceptual site plan process, researching the permitting process and conducting a site survey. The initial site plan faced significant challenges, including topographical issues that required slope grading of ~55 feet across the site, as well as a non-potable water line and sewer line that would need to be rerouted outside the compost area.

The Los Alamos County project team also applied for a ~$4 million grant from the EPA (we were unsuccessful). 

2022 Sep 06:

Los Alamos County Council accepted this recommendation.

2022 Mar 17:

The Environmental Sustainability Board unanimously recommended implementing a food composting system in Bayo Canyon near the Los Alamos County wastewater treatment plant, using the windrow method and providing drop-off sites for residents and curbside collection for businesses. 

 

Project Timeline

2024 Feb:

Negotiate a lease with the Department of Energy for the landfill site at the Eco Station

2024 Mar:

Return to the County Council to approve the new DOE Lease Agreement.

Upon approval of the new lease - 

  • Design, permitting and equipment acquisition (~12 months)
  • Construction (~6 months)
  • Implement & Customer education

~2027 Spring:

Operational

Benefits of the Aerated Static Piles

The benefits of moving forward with the aerated static piles versus the windrow method are as follows:

  • Low impact solution
  • lower capital costs
  • No building required
  • low maintenance costs
  • Wildlife interactions and odor control can be managed through fencing and proper composting management
  • Inexpensive and easy to scale operation

 

 

Updated: 2025-03-10

Contact details

Sustainability Manager Angelica Gurule

Location

3701 East Jemez Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544  View Map

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