Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) CASE STUDY

The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) set out to expand food waste diversion across the region as part of its long-term sustainability strategy. With nearly one million pounds of food waste entering the Franklin County landfill each day, the organization sought a reliable, commercial-scale composting solution that could efficiently process source-separated organics while reducing reliance on landfill disposal.

The project was also intended to establish a scalable model for future food waste composting throughout central Ohio. By creating the region's first Class II composting facility, SWACO aimed to demonstrate how modern composting infrastructure could support a circular economy while providing the capacity needed to expand future food waste diversion programs. These requirements led SWACO to select the Green Mountain Technologies Earth Flow IM-40, a high-efficiency, climate controlled in-vessel composting system designed for reliable organic waste processing.

Green Mountain Technologies supplied an Earth Flow IM-40 in-vessel composting system capable of processing up to 500 tons of organic material annually. Installed at SWACO's Alum Creek Waste & Reuse Convenience Center, the system includes the WebMACS control platform with automated temperature tracking, an integrated scale, tote tipper, and pile-based biofilter to support efficient, controlled composting operations.

The facility was also designed with a compost screener to support finished compost processing. Together, the enclosed Earth Flow system and supporting equipment help control odors, deter vectors, reduce operator involvement, and produce high-quality compost from source-separated food waste and wood chips. As the first of two Earth Flow systems planned for SWACO, the project supports the continued growth of commercial composting throughout central Ohio.