Compostable Materials Initiatives

Operational Challenges/Concerns Assessment Procedure (OCAP)

The OCAP project proposes to develop and formalize operational challenges assessment procedures, which will include task lists for and guidance to enforcement agencies (EA) and operators in the assessment of a site’s key operational challenges.

Compost sites face multiple challenges. CIWMB staff experience, for example, suggests that unaddressed operational challenges such as off-site odor migration or inadequate control of feedstock contamination lead to eventual site failure and disruptions in a region’s compostable material handling.

Currently, there is no overall procedure or approach for analyzing operational problems at these sites on a holistic/systemic basis; instead, problems are often addressed in isolation from the broader operational context. OCAP will provide the tools to analyze and identify systemic operational problems and will constitute a foundation for upcoming Integrated Best Management Practices development efforts.

While OCAP is being finalized, draft copies of the assessment tool are currently available by contacting Jeff Watson.

Last updated: October 29, 2007