Salinas Valley CASE STUDY

Salinas Valley is one of the largest agricultural regions in the United States, producing large quantities of bagged leafy greens. With the introduction of California Senate Bill 1383, Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority (SVSWA) was searching for a cost effective way to keep organic waste, namely packaged food out of their landfill. Recognizing the huge regional market for fertilizer and cost-effective nature of compost, SVSWA went out to bid for an Aerated Static Pile (ASP) composting system to complement their operating landfill.

GMT won the bid to design and install a 12-zone ASP composting system. The facility handles 75,000 Tons per year of regional yard waste, debris, and food waste from the on-site de-packager. The below grade aeration system consists of perforated pipe embedded in concrete beams, significantly reducing construction costs, and GMT’s state-of-the-art web-based control system, WebMACS. GMT designed the facility, provided controls, blowers and ducting, commissioned the system, and trained operators. GMT is still involved in operations ensuring throughput and compliance goals are met.