Organics Team

This team looks at solutions for materials that include “green” and yard discards, brush & tree residuals, food scraps, and other organic material. Composting is an example of a solution that can be rapidly implemented.

Staff Liaisons:

Stephanie Anderson
Kaira Fuentes

In the media

A Composting Station for Every Municipality
Once again, the menace of incineration resurfaces, an action criticized by everyone that cares about the air we breath, our health and environment. Recently, it was announced that the Environmental Quality Board had accepted USACE's initiative of burning the organic material gathered and stored after hurricane Maria... To read more click here.

Resources

To view presentations, pictures and other resources developed during the 1st Puerto Rico Organics Recycling Summit, please click here!

The Environmental Quality Board of Puerto Rico published the announcement of public hearings on the regulation of composting in which the PRRP has been working and pushing for the last 1-2 years or more.

The public hearing on the proposed Regulation will take place in the EQB, Public Hearing Room, 4th Floor, Building Environmental Agencies
Cruz A. Matos 1375 Ponce de Leon Ave., Urb. San Jose Industrial Park, San Juan, Puerto Rico. To read the official public hearing announcement click here.

DATE: December 3, 2015
TIME: 9:00 am

Big step for recycling organic in Puerto Rico!

You can read the Regulation (in Spanish) here.

PAST MEETINGS

NEWS

Recycling Industry Will Fight Burning of Debris
Representatives for the recycling industry are organizing to stop USACE from burning the vegetative debris left by Hurrican María... Click here to read more.

Composting in El Camarero Horse Race Track
The participants in the Recycling Promoters Course, recenlty visited El Camarero Horse Race Track where they saw an internationally recognized composting process designed specifically for the place that has also helped their economy.

Mother Earth - Innovative model of compost recycling

Mother Earth Organic Cooperative has been conducting an interesting recycling effort at Placita Roosevelt in Hato Rey. Market events during the first and third Sundays of the month has established a recycling station stowed compostable materials created by the company Trito Agro-Industrial Services, Inc. (TAIS). Read more on our blog.

Organics Team Investigations

The Organics Team is currently investigating composting and anaerobic digesting process rules in Puerto Rico. See the following links to learn more.

EPA Food Recovery Challenge - Learn more and join the Food Recovery Challenge, part of the EPA's Sustainable Materials Management Program.
Organics Team Presentation on US Composting Rules has produced the following presentation of flowcharts that summarize New York and Florida state composting regulations.
Regulatory Schematics for Composting Facilities in Florida
Florida Composting (yard waste) Rules (in Spanish)
New York Composting Site Rules

WEBINAR "BIOGAS IN PUERTO RICO: DIVERTING ORGANICS AND ENERGY PRODUCTION"

The preliminary agenda for our webinar was as follows:

Introduction of PRRP - 10 minutes

Introduction of EPA - 5 minutes

Presentations:

Esteban Monge-Reymundi, Ambiente Orgánico, Elementos básicos del biogas y ejemplos exitosos a nivel internacional. - 15 minutes

Luis Beal, Bio Energy Puerto Rico, What is an Eco Park? - 15 minutes

Gustavo Méndez, Manufacturing Manager of Bacardi - Successful example of organic management and energy production in Bacardi PR. - 15 minutes

Brenda Reyes, EPA, Grants and Opportunities Available from the EPA. - 15 minutes

Q&A - 45 minutes