Kern County has proposed a $13.6 million operation next to the Shafter-Wasco Landfill that would take in 400 wet tons per day of organic waste and convert it to compost as a way of cutting methane emissions. The project would deploy a micro-pore fabric to control dust, ammonia and volatile organic compounds commonly emitted during composting of waste from orchards, vineyards, discarded wood, manure and urban landscaping.
If it receives final approval after ongoing public review, and opens as planned in October 2024, the operation would be a big step toward helping Kern comply with a state mandate for reducing the volume of green waste it sends to landfills. The operation’s output may be used as a non-emitting landfill cover, though the bigger hope is that much of the compost will be sold to local residents for gardening purposes. “We’re very excited about that part because that is the full-circle recycling,” County Public Works Manager Chuck Magee said.
In an application for a permit from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, the county said the project proposed for 17621 Scofield Ave. in Shafter would accept materials such as brush, yard trimmings, untreated wood waste, natural fiber, construction and demolition wood waste, orchard and vineyard prunings, grape pomace, crop residue, residential kitchen scraps and food waste from restaurants, grocery stores and cafeterias.