Casella Organics specializes in the recovery and reuse of organic and mineral resources as we have been amending soils, recycling nutrients, and innovating uses for over 30 years.
We offer a wide range of services including Agronomic Services, Anaerobic Digestion, Composting, Contract Operations, Depackaging, Food Waste Collection, Full Service Resource Management, Lagoon Cleanouts, Land Application, Modern Landfill Disposal, Product Marketing for earthlife®, Resource Optimization and Innovation, and Spreader Rentals. Our group is the go to for solutions in this space!
Agronomic Services
- Agronomic Services
- Anaerobic Digestion
- Composting
- Contract Operations
- Food Waste Collection
- Lagoon Cleanouts
- Land Application
- Spreader Rentals
Our experienced team specializes in working with farmers to find the right amendments for their growing needs. Many of our field staff have a background in agriculture, and our team includes Certified Crop Advisers and Nutrient Management Planners. We evaluate each site where we provide materials and begin with a soil sample to identify the specific nutrient needs for the land. We follow through on that assessment and provide a wide spectrum of products tailored to your specific needs, which all meet strict quality standards and possess high nutrient value. We make sure you get you're monies worth.
Anaerobic Digestion is a controlled process by which organic materials (those with plant and animal origins) are transformed by organisms that thrive in an environment without oxygen. The process produces a nutrient rich soil amendment and biogas, primarily methane, which is used as a renewable replacement for natural gas. Casella Organics is committed to expansion of this technology to expand recycling options for organic materials. We recover biosolids, food processing byproducts and other feedstock for anaerobic digestion and market fertilizer products derived from digestion.
Casella Organics advises the operation of two anaerobic co-digesters in Massachusetts. The "first" in the state at Jordan’s Dairy Farm in Rutland, Massachusetts and the second at the Barstow's Longview Farm in Hadley. These facilities are co-digesting dairy manure produced by the host farm and food residuals (commonly known as ‘source separated organics’ or ‘SSO’) diverted from food processors. This material arrives at the site in closed containers and is loaded into the digester where it is processed without exposure to air – from there the material spends approximately thirty days in-process before being removed and stored as a stabilized fertilizer product. This liquid product is then used during the growing season by the farms and their neighbors as a recycled liquid fertilizer, replacing both synthetic fertilizer products and traditional raw manure spreading.
The biogas produced during the stabilization of the in-process material is used to power a small combined heat and power unit, or CHP unit, consisting of an engine and a generator which provides electricity and heat to the farm’s buildings. Surplus electricity is distributed through the power grid.
This "closed-loop" recycling program is a local and sustainable program that is mutually beneficial for all involved.
We are always looking for more “stuff” to recycle at our anaerobic digesters, especially high-strength liquid food residuals. If you believe you have some material appropriate for this type of recycling, or you would like assistance operating your an anaerobic digester or sourcing feedstock for a digester, please contact us.
Composting is the controlled process by which organic materials (those with plant and animal origins) are aerobically decomposed by organisms to produce a nutrient rich soil amendment.
At our Hawk Ridge Compost Facility, our special recipe is created using a carbon source (e.g. wood chips) a nitrogen Source (e.g. biosolids), oxygen and water. The most rapid composting occurs when the carbon to nitrogen ratio is between 25 and 30 to 1 by dry chemical weight. High carbon sources are needed for energy, while high nitrogen sources provide the most concentrated protein. This mixture is then placed in an environment such as a vessel, row or pile where it begins the process. Once the material has reached specific time and temperature requirements in order to kill pathogens and weed seeds and deter vermin, it is removed from the vessel and further cured. This curing process allows the material to stabilize and reduces decomposition. The highest market grade compost is dark brown or black in color and has a soil-like, earthy smell.
Compost can be used as a soil amendment or as a direct medium for plant growth. It can also be used to prevent erosion, construct wetlands, to cover landfills, and remediate soils. For more general information on the composting process visit www.epa.gov/compost.
We have decades of experience composting a variety of materials, in a number of locations. We're always looking for more "stuff" to add to our piles, provide expertise and technical support, and even help with operations.
We know operations inside and out. Over the years we've gained hands on experience in the full spectrum of residuals management including collection, transportation, dewatering, event work, facility development, fleet maintenance, product marketing, R&D...you name it, we've probably tried it and if not, we're willing to!
It is based upon this depth of experience, that we offer contract operations services to both municipal and private facilities. We specialize in contract services for farm land application programs, compost facility operations, compost sales programs, and specialty projects. As an example, we invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in the design, construction and operation of an "Ashcrete Plant" at Paper Mill in Maine. The plant resembled a concrete batch plant, except that it utilized paper mill residuals including ash, precipitated calcium carbonate and green liquor dregs as ingredients. After blending and mixing ingredients, drivers delivered them in cement mixers to an on-site environmental construction project for direct use. The result was a reduction in expenses for raw materials, a reduction in landfill disposal, and the construction of an improved environmental facility.
We're always on the lookout for opportunities to provide routine and innovative operations support with a goal of efficient operations, 100% compliance and excellent service to our customers.
Commercial Collection
We provide food waste collection service to hundreds of businesses and institutions throughout the Northeast. Call 800-CASELLA to learn if this service is available in your area.
Residential Collection
Many municipalities are working to introduce residential food waste collection. We provide collection and processing services in support of these innovative pilots, including both curbside pickup and drop-off solutions.
Customized Signage, Bins, Education
Food waste diversion is new to many people, and successful programs must provide thoughtful education to drive awareness and behavior change. We work with our customers to develop customized signage, bin configurations, and training programs for food waste.
On-Site Solutions
If your organization generates large quantities of food waste, you may be interested in on-site processing solutions to improve the recyclability of your materials without distracting from your daily business. Let us help you explore the options.
Lagoon cleaning is a periodic and necessary part of facility maintenance for many industries. We have developed a systematic and efficient approach to handling this task. We will organize the process, manage any and all subcontractors, and individually visit with neighbors to assure their comfort and understanding of the process. We are also experienced in being part of a cleanout team, providing our specialized residuals management services as part of a larger project package.
Often the most economical option for residuals management is to apply materials with nutrient value directly to the land. We have particular expertise in the field of direct land application for a variety of materials including Class B biosolids, short paper fiber, wood ash, and liming agents. Our team of experts is well versed in all regulatory and permitting requirements in all areas where we work so you don't have to be. In addition, these programs often support local agriculture, have a small carbon footprint and can be an integral part of a sustainable materials management program.
Casella Organics offers a fleet of modern agricultural spreaders for rent to go along with your earthlife product purchase. Our custom spreader capacities are offered in various makes and models to accommodate different products with holding capacities ranging from 5 tons to 24 tons. We maintain the fleet in excellent working order and all untis are designed to maximize application precision and efficiency.
Our qualified staff can assist you in selecting the right spreader for your application as well as scheduling delivery and pick up.
Please contact us at 800-933-6474 for more information.