Baltimore, Maryland

The challenge

Award-winning regional biosolids compost production and marketing project.

The project challenges are:

• A privatized solution was required for the beneficial use of biosolids from the city of Baltimore's Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant. 
• The partnership began in 1984 with a Veolia North America predecessor company to provide comprehensive services to support the new Baltimore City Composting Facility. 
• Today, Veolia owns, operates and directs all marketing activities for the 45 dry-tons-per-day in-vessel biosolids composting facility which processes anaerobically digested, dewatered sludge sold to public and private users.

Veolia’s solution

Innovative solutions:

• Initiate Product and Process Improvement Program to enhance product quality and marketability and process optimization.
• Modify compost recipe to increase finished production to nearly triple double annual production and improve marketability.
• Develop strategic alliances with key distributors.
• Fine-tune operations and market development to meet identified market demands.
• Market ORGRO High Organic Compost product as soil amendment and turf product to professional turf managers, landscape contractors, soil blenders and golf courses through a dealer/distribution network.

Results:

Surpassed goals:

• One of the most successful privately operated biosolids facilities over the past decade.
• More than two decades of perfect compliance and no odor complaints.
• Industry model for other operations to emulate.
• Consistently improved revenues from sale of composting materials
• Achieved highest Class A/EQ compost standards of the U.S. EPA and State of Maryland.
• Product sold out on regular basis because of successful marketing program and high quality compost production.
• ​Waste eliminated - everything that goes into the facility leaves as compost.