DairyCreek Golf Club is the first stadium in the United States to claim to adhere to the principle of “zero waste” and the first golf course in the world to implement “zero waste”. The so-called “zero waste” means that all waste on the course can be recycled and reused without causing any waste to pollute the environment. Is the stadium “zero waste” a new environmental protection measure or a gimmick on paper? How to do it?
Dare to be first
There is an old slang in foreign countries. The Dairy Creek Golf Club in Obispo, San Luis, Calif., is guided by this sentence and strives to be the first “zero-abandon” golf course in the United States. It recycles and reuses all products used in golf courses, completely eliminating any waste as the ultimate goal, recycling all available materials (aluminum, glass, paper, cardboard and plastic) and 100% recycled wastewater for irrigation. The grass cutting of the course is either decomposed in the turf, returned to the soil to form nutrients, or treated with a green waste processor to form a natural compost.
According to the Zero Zero Alliance in Portland, Oregon, the overall goal of the concept is to eliminate solid waste, dangerous goods, toxic substances and emissions, and to change the focus of work, using by-products from everyday life. Potential resources. “Our waste products should have future applications, rather than simply being stacked in a landfill.” For companies, implementing a zero-waste principle will not only improve product utilization, but also reduce overall costs.
Although the concept of “zero waste” is not the first of the Dairy Creek Golf Clubs, it is a pioneering application in the management of golf courses. Dairy Creek Golf Club is one of three golf courses managed by Josh Heptig, Director of Golf Courses in San Luis Obispo. Heptig is very interested in the concept of “zero waste” and believes that as long as there is reasonable planning, maintain important partnerships and Referring to the principles that have been successfully applied to other businesses, “zero waste” is also applicable to golf courses. When asked why zero waste was implemented, Heptig said: “Zero waste is the ultimate answer to all sustainable development issues. This is what should be done, and we have a lot to do with this.” Abandoned golf courses should reduce, recycle or reuse their waste (including food waste) to the fullest. The Dairy Creek Golf Club has the courage to “eat the first crab” and has become a model in the industry, providing valuable educational and promotional resources.
Zero discard trilogy
For Heptig, applying the zero-waste concept to golf course operations, analyzing waste streams and finding ways to change can be a challenge. Which wastes can be recycled, reused or directly eliminated, involves all aspects of golf course operations and is sloppy. Through a joint discussion with professional staff at the stadium, Dairy Creek Golf Club has developed a program to achieve two goals – the first goal is to achieve zero waste through food waste composting, insect boxes and composting tea; The goal is to use organic fertilizer products to reduce irrigation water and minimize the flow of excess chemicals into nearby rivers.
First, garbage composting
The first step in achieving zero waste on the course is food and green garbage composting. Composting facilities are used to break down food and green waste and then reuse the course. Many golf courses and owners are familiar with greens composting technology, and there is a formula in the industry to describe it – “green (cut grass) + brown (leaves and sawdust) + moisture”, after a period of time, can be incorporated into planting Bed or turf mixed compost. The green waste portion of the formula is relatively easy to operate. Spreading the greens and other areas of the grass into the long grass area or adding it to the compost material will eventually become a good fertilizer return to the turf; while the brown waste portion is crushed. The machine forms a compost.
A relatively larger challenge is the recycling of food waste from the restaurant, which is often referred to as cooking waste composting. One of the top priorities in modern waste management around the world is the landfill of food and organic waste. Anaerobic decay of food and organic waste disposed of at landfills releases harmful gases, while organic wastes that promote aerobic degradation do not release harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, so large wastes (such as restaurants, schools) And the development prospects of the golf course) R&D diversion method are very important. Food waste composting demonstrates the use of food waste and organic waste from landfills and the use of compost to replace expensive and unsustainable fertilizer products. In view of environmental health and health regulations, the use of special compost bins is important for the control of bacterial content and odour in non-vegetable food waste. The food residue and green waste compost at Dairy Creek Golf Club will be carried out in two special composting containers.
Second, the insect box operation
The Dairy Creek Golf Club has partnered with EPA to install worm boxes on the course and implement aquaculture operations that can quickly reduce catering waste. The use of alfalfa to break down vegetable waste such as lettuce is incredibly fast and efficient, and the insect box can easily handle vegetable waste from the restaurant’s waste stream.
The so-called cockroach breeding is to let the cockroaches eat the kitchen waste and convert it into fertilizer, which can also be called worm compost. Just do a few preparations: insect boxes, newspapers, kitchen trash and cockroaches. The insect box is an inflated container in which the crucible is placed. It can be a covered plastic bucket, styrofoam, metal, wooden box or a professional insect box purchased at the mall. The bottom of the insect box needs to be punched in order to circulate air and drain excess water. The most commonly used compost worm is Eisenia Foetida, commonly known as red dragonfly, which is available at garden centers, bait shops or online suppliers. This cockroach has adapted to survive in decaying organic matter, which thrives in decaying plants. In the insect box, it is very easy to use a newspaper, office paper or cardboard shredded paper to lay a layer of “soft bed” for the bugs. This layer of “soft bed” should be laid with wet paper, wet the paper and then twist it, spread it into the insect box like a wet sponge, try to make it fluffy, and then pour the kitchen waste. It should be noted that foods and dairy products containing yeast, onions, meat, cooking oil or citrus should be avoided in the poured waste.
The insect box can be placed outdoors in a sheltered area, but in harsh weather conditions, it is better to place it indoors. To maintain the activity of the cockroaches in the insect tank, temperature, humidity and ventilation should be considered. Add kitchen waste approximately twice a week, and the newly added waste should be covered with a 1-2 inch “soft bed.” The bacteria and fungi in the insect box help to break down the kitchen waste and eventually form a nutrient that is beneficial to the healthy growth of the plant. When the color of these cockroaches is deepened, all the garbage has been broken down and can be used.
Degradation of waste by aquaculture, for high-quality soil additive mixed compost, or as a component of compost tea. Dairy Creek Golf Club uses the most advanced bio-generators in the United States to make compost tea. Composted tea is good for stimulating root growth and plant vigor, preventing pests and reducing the amount of water needed for irrigation maintenance. Studies have shown that this can successfully replace inorganic fertilizers and pesticides, creating a water-saving environment for soil and grass roots.
These two food composts usually cost $10,000. Through the use of insect boxes, the fat (meat and other food waste) incorporated into the compost can be increased by about 10% without causing odor or parasite problems. Each box has a volume of approximately 3-4 cubic yards (approximately 2.2-3.05 cubic meters) and is capable of handling 150 pounds (approximately 68 kilograms) of food waste per day. The waste thus treated will be spread to the golf course or processed to become composted tea. According to the feedback from the green workers, the use of compost tea has achieved good results, especially in the prevention of disease.
Third, “full” recycling
In addition to the above waste utilization measures to form compost, Dairy Creek Golf Club also tried every means to recycle aluminum products, plastics and paper. This sounds easy, but it’s not the case when it comes to many packaging and everyday paper products. Many golf courses recycle containers such as paper products, aluminum cans and plastic bottles during office and maintenance operations. But plastic foam cups, wax paper, kitchen wrap, fertilizer bags and pesticide containers, these variables are far-reaching and must be included in the concept of zero waste. Although only a small amount of attention is paid to 90% of the products, it is easy to recycle, but the remaining 10% is a problem. Heptig and his staff continue to work with suppliers to consider different options for fully recyclable materials packaging and catering services.
As part of the practice of sustainable development, Dairy Creek Golf Club uses reclaimed water for irrigation, and the stadium is investigating the feasibility of collecting solar and wind energy plans due to its sunny and windy location. In addition, the stadium will also install energy recycling water supply lines to offset the pumping needs of energy and irrigation systems. The energy paddle in the recycling waste line is used for sewage treatment after sewage treatment, which saves costs. Energy auditing is also an aspect of auditing the course business (checking cart charging, irrigation pumps, lighting, etc.) to maximize the effective use of resource integration needs. Use bio-combustion engines to convert fat from food and beverage waste into fertilizer.
Pioneer model
Based on its successful implementation of zero-waste principles, the Dairy Creek Golf Club is almost inundated with a variety of consultations. Dairy Creek Golf Club is rapidly growing into a community center for environmentally friendly entertainment and education centers, and its development has been highly valued by industry insiders. Many educators have contacted the stadium and hope to open the “zero abandoned park” on the course to students and citizens. The California Conservation Corps asked the course’s professionals to train them. The Moro Bay Eco Club’s Zero Waste Service Program disseminates information about zero-waste and zero-waste parks to the public by participating in a local “Mobile Zero-Waste Propaganda Station”. The environmental protection staff of the Dark Canyon Nuclear Power Plant was deeply shocked after visiting the Zero Abandoned Park and decided to try food waste composting. A local catering company was also inspired to incorporate zero-waste classification technology into its own customer service agreement.
In order to better organize and organize events (different community organizations or individuals to visit zero-waste related equipment and learn related technologies), Dairy Creek Golf Club is considering establishing a “zero-disposal task force” for any organization or individual interested in zero-abuse concept. All can participate, set the strength of hundreds of families, discuss and promote the concept of zero waste, and achieve a win-win effect. It can be said that there is no better way than “zero-disposal of the stadium”, attracting golfers to visit the stadium to increase the number of playing rounds while restoring golf’s environmental reputation and protecting the environment in a sustainable and recyclable way. Through the case of the Dairy Creek Golf Club, you can see how easy it is to make changes, just to strengthen the environmental awareness of sustainable development, and to achieve zero waste is just around the corner.
Link one:
Recycling and zero waste courses
The IVC (Irvine Valley College) recycling and zero-waste program provides students with the opportunity to find employment in the recycling and zero-waste sector. The aim of the program is to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to equip their entire industrial sector related to sustainable resource management with a comprehensive perspective and to provide students with a comprehensive perspective on solving global economic and environmental problems. Play a role.
This course provides a thorough analysis of trends and technologies in the recycling and resource management industry, requiring students to demonstrate, analyze and design zero-waste strategies, prepare and implement recycling and waste reduction programs, and create “zero-waste social initiatives” and business courses. Includes compulsory courses in recycling and resource management, culture and zero waste, community resource management and zero waste and commercial resource management and zero waste, as well as environmental and resource economics, global environmental issues, materials and processing, recycling and resource management Recommended electives such as cooperation experience.
As long as you have completed the required course (generally no more than 18 units), the school will award the relevant competency certificate. These certificates are recognized by the local government and are basic job ability certifications that enter the labor market or improve student work skills.
Link two:
Waste into treasure
- Refining the waste oil from food and beverage into biodiesel
As a by-product of the catering industry, catering waste oil is quite expensive in terms of emissions and disposal. If you pay attention to it, it will cause extremely harmful “ditch oil” and cause serious environmental pollution. The emergence of biodiesel has become a “savior”, and its low sulfur content and high oxygen content can reduce pollution and save energy. In Europe and the United States, vegetable oil is mainly used as raw material to prepare organisms, while Japan recycles edible waste oil to achieve production. This article describes how a club in the United States prepares biodiesel by recycling edible waste oil.
In 2005, the River Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas, began the club’s environmental programs, and the stadium’s lighting renovations were versatile. The club’s major renovation efforts during the year included investment. Implement an energy efficient system. In 2008, all club departments worked on “recyclable projects”. Among them, General Manager Joe Bendy asked the operations department to convert the waste oil from food and beverage into biodiesel (biodiesel is oil crops, wild oil plants). And aquatic plant oils such as engineering microalgae, animal fats, food waste oil, etc., which are fatty acid alcohol esters produced by transesterification of feedstock oils and alcohols, which can replace petrochemical diesel regenerative diesel fuel and are a clean biofuel) The scenario is studied. In the past years, the club spent a lot of time on the processing of waste oil for food and beverage. Although some companies will recycle waste oil, the idea of converting food waste into biodiesel seems to be more operable.
After careful investigation and research, the club found that the stadium in Texas rarely reused the waste oil of the restaurant. Even if there is, the process of refining is quite simple. After learning and exchanging equipment and equipment with a large number of companies, the club only chose to refine the oil and equipment with a variety of models to choose from. And because of the work intensity of the equipment department of the stadium, another factor considered by the club is to consider the complexity of the refining process and the length of time required. After all the opinions are combined, the equipment manager is responsible for the implementation and supervision of the specific project.
For the implementation of new projects, efficient and comprehensive training is the primary consideration in the early preparation. The refining equipment provides on-site training and guidance opportunities, and arranges for professionals to perform in specific installation steps, real-time operation (storage, how to use diesel). Monitoring and evaluation enable learners to quickly master the essentials and make objective judgments based on the type and budget of the club. Converting edible waste oil to diesel can be done in a 5 gallon drum (small) or in a 80-gallon medium-sized processor (like the River Oaks Country Club), which is very flexible to operate. But no matter which model you choose, the refining process needs to follow the following steps:
A, oil collection and storage
Used vegetable oil (soybean, cottonseed, palm oil, etc.) can be stored in a closed container without any water contamination;
B, oil filtration
It is important that the treated oil is doped with the least amount of contaminants, and no one is willing to find food residue in the fuel filter. Waste cooking oil is passed through a 300-gallon processor through a 300- and 400-micron filter to a 55-gallon drum, which is then pumped back into the processor;
C, heating
A heating system is embedded in the processor to raise the temperature to 140 degrees. The heating system also has the function of drying oil to ensure that the moisture in the oil is completely removed;
D, titration
The function of the titration is to carry out the pH test on the oil and to calculate the transesterification reaction between the animal and vegetable oils or vegetable oils and the lower alcohols such as methanol or ethanol under alkaline or acidic catalysts and high temperature conditions to form the corresponding fatty acids. Potassium Hydroxide and Catalysts Required in the Process of Methyl Ester or Fatty Acid Ethyl Ester (Biodiesel) (In the process of producing animal fuels, such as animal and vegetable oils and wastes, accelerate chemical reactions, increase oil yield, and improve fuel oil. The mass of all chemical additives). This process can help calculate the amount of catalyst needed to refine waste cooking oil into diesel. If straight eucalyptus oil is used, the amount of catalyst is essentially 5 grams per liter.
E, a mixture of methanol and potassium hydroxide
After calculating the titration results, the next work is to mix methanol and potassium hydroxide to form a methoxide. In order to obtain accurate titration results, it is necessary to avoid the tail oil and biodiesel in the reactor tank, and the final oil quantity of the refined oil accounts for about 20% of the crude oil;
The transesterification process produces two products: biodiesel and glycerol/fatty acids. When the heated oil and methoxide are mixed for 90 minutes, the first batch of glycerol will be produced, which takes 4-8 hours (the same steps as the E process);
G, rinse with water
After the end of the biodiesel transesterification process, it is in its original state of mixing with the catalyst, soap and glycerin, and these mixtures need to be washed clean with water;
H, dry product oil
The next step is to transfer and discharge the refined biodiesel through the built-in heater. The heater can drain the water contained in the finished oil. After 4-6 hours of heating, the refined oil can be moved to the storage. Oil tanks can be used in any type of diesel engine.
The invention of biodiesel is not only an environmentally friendly form of recycling of waste oil, but also saves the club thousands of dollars in fuel costs per year. The River Oaks Country Club produced 1,700 gallons of biodiesel in 2009 (labor costs less than $650). In 2009, biodiesel production costs averaged 0.38-0.4 cents per gallon, and all production costs were 18 months. All recovered within. Another advantage of biodiesel is that it can be used in water heaters, avoiding carbon dioxide emissions from conventional water heaters and conventional diesel engines. At the same time, biodiesel can reduce the production of unburned hydrocarbons (without sulfur) by 90%, which can effectively lubricate the machine and extend the life of the engine.
About catalyst
The transesterification catalyst for refining includes an acidic catalyst, a basic catalyst, and a bioenzyme catalyst:
The acidic catalyst includes a catalyst which is easily soluble in alcohol (sulfonic acid, etc.) and various solid catalysts. In the industry, the most commonly used is concentrated sulfuric acid and sulfonic acid or a mixture of the two;
The basic catalyst comprises two types: a strong basic anion exchange resin, a solid base catalyst which catalyzes a heterogeneous reaction such as a carbonate, and an inorganic base catalyst which is easily dissolved in methanol and is subjected to a catalytic liquid phase reaction such as KOH or NaOH;
Bio-enzyme catalyst: transesterification by lipase using animal fats and lower alcohols, mainly fungal lipase.
