Optimization of an On-site Aerobic Digester for the Treatment of Commercial Organic Food Waste

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Organic waste makes up about 40% of the residential waste in Canada. Source-separated organics (SSO), if not diverted and treated, are most commonly disposed of in landfills. Food waste has a high moisture content and high biodegradable organic compounds. When stored too long or not properly handled the decomposition of these food wastes can result in the generation of harmful leachate, unpleasant odours, vermin attraction and toxic gas emissions. One alternative for onsite processing of organic food waste is the use of an aerobic digester. The ORCA (Organic Refuse Conversion Alternative) is an aerobic digester that converts organic food waste into a nutrient-rich wastewater within 24-hous by using a natural microorganism solution. Due to its inability to significantly reduce fats, oils and grease (FOGs) the ORCA is limited in its treatment ability and required connection to a grease trap prior to discharging into the sewer system. This applied research project will dose the ORCA digester with the YDRO Series Microorganisms® (YDRO-MS), a cocktail of bacterial cultures, to improve its performance, reduce the amount of fats, oils and grease (FOG) generated from it, and in turn reduce its operating costs. Incorporating the YDRO-MS with ORCA technology has never been attempted before. This project will determine what modifications are needed to the ORCA digester in order to allow for the integration of the YDRO-MS bacteria. These results will allow the ORCA's performance to treat problematic food waste, particularly FOGs, for which there is a tremendous need in Ontario and Canada.