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Interactive model for UBC Farm compost facility

University of British Columbia. Sustainability Office

To address the future need of composting at UBC the UBC Farm and the SEEDS Sustainability Program have requested research on the feasibility for a compost facility at the UBC Farm. Previously work by other groups has been completed addressing the feasibility of this project from a variety of different perspectives. The goal of this part of the project is two-fold: 1) to combine the existing knowledge from the previous reports into an interactive Excel model. The aim of this Excel model is to aid the decision process when determining how best to implement a compost facility at the UBC Farm. 2) To identify any holes / missing information in the current research and where possible, provide added knowledge. The model is implemented in Excel and features six sheets: 1) Master 2) Compost Output 3) Decomposition Efficiency 4) Animal Bedding 5) Compost Facility 6) Compost Source The areas of “Animal Bedding” and “Decomposition Efficiency” present new research in this report that adds to the greater project. Both of these sections present ways to increase funding, which is seen as a major stumbling block for the project. “Compost Source” is a combination of previously acquired knowledge with some new research added. The remaining sections feature previously acquired knowledge. This interactive model is to serve as a base framework for a bigger more complete model that analyzes and relates all the different variables affecting the successful implementation of a compost facility at the UBC Farm. The purpose of the model is to provide the decision makers with a tool that should aid in helping select the correct plan of action for building a compost facility at the UBC Farm. In order for this to be an effective tool, it must first be a complete tool. The hope is that this base framework can identify gaps in knowledge that need to be further explored and answered before moving forward with implementing a compost facility. In conclusion, there are many questions still left to be answered before a complete model and an informed decision can be made. The primary unanswered question is “where is the required source of funding coming from?” as financially this project does not appear viable. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”

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University of British Columbia. CHBE 573; UBC Social Ecological Economic Development Studies (SEEDS) Student Report

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0108882

Applied Science, Faculty of; Chemical and Biological Engineering, Department of

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