Waste Management – Pala CASE STUDY

Waste Management (WM) needed a high-capacity composting solution capable of processing more than 40,000 tons of source-separated organics annually from the San Diego and Los Angeles regions. With only three acres available for composting, the facility required an efficient system that could rapidly stabilize organic material while minimizing its operational footprint.

Located on tribal land in Pala, California, the project also needed to meet stringent environmental and operational requirements consistent with California composting standards. Reliable temperature monitoring, automated aeration, odor management, and accurate compliance reporting were essential.

A unique challenge was the site's short-term lease, with renewal dependent on the success of the operation. Rather than invest in permanent infrastructure, WM needed a completely portable system that could be relocated if necessary. Blowers, pumps, controls, and supporting equipment needed to fit within shipping containers, while the aeration distribution system had to be removable and reusable.

Green Mountain Technologies designed and supplied two eight-zone covered aerated static pile (cASP) systems, providing 16 independently controlled aeration zones. The systems use pipe-on-grade spiral galvanized ducting, eliminating the need for permanent below-grade aeration infrastructure and allowing the equipment to be relocated or reconfigured.

At the heart of the installation is GMT's WebMACS automated control system, integrated with ReoTemp wired temperature probes. WebMACS continuously monitors compost temperatures and adjusts aeration to maintain conditions favorable for rapid aerobic decomposition. The system maintains oxygen levels of 10% or higher, helping operators optimize biological activity while reducing the need for manual adjustments.

WebMACS also automates temperature recordkeeping for Process to Further Reduce Pathogens (PFRP) documentation, simplifying regulatory reporting and reducing operator workload. An integrated automated irrigation system provides additional control of pile moisture directly through the WebMACS interface.

To preserve the client's flexibility, GMT packaged the blowers, pumps, and control equipment in shipping containers. Combined with removable aeration ducting, this creates a portable industrial-scale composting system without sacrificing automation or operational sophistication.

The result is a compact, highly efficient facility capable of stabilizing organic material in approximately 22 days, allowing WM to move material off-site for subsequent use in regional agriculture and maintain throughput on a remarkably small footprint.

Project Highlights: 16 aeration zones | Portable containerized equipment | Automated irrigation | WebMACS temperature and PFRP tracking | Approximately 22-day stabilization