The ultimate in recycling, composting has been in use in some form since ancient times. A well-managed composting facility should exist as a good neighbor contributing to ecology. However, since local populations often perceive risks if a composting facility is built nearby, composting facilities must be designed and operated with minimal odor, dus

• New York Times bestseller • The 100 most substantive solutions to reverse global warming, based on meticulous research by leading scientists and policymakers around the world “At this point in time, the Drawdown book is exactly what is needed; a credible, conservative solution-by-solution narrative that we can do it. Reading it is an effective inoculation against the widespread perception of doom that humanity cannot and will not solve the climate crisis. Reported by-effects include increased determination and a sense of grounded hope.” —Per Espen Stoknes, Author, What We Think About When We Try Not To Think About Global Warming “There’s been no real way for ordinary people to get an understanding of what they can do and what impact it can have. There remains no single, comprehensive, reliable compendium of carbon-reduction solutions across sectors. At least until now. . . . The public is hungry for this kind of practical wisdom.” —David Roberts, Vox “This is the ideal environmental sciences textbook—only it is too interesting and inspiring to be called a textbook.” —Peter Kareiva, Director of the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, UCLA In the face of widespread fear and apathy, an international coalition of researchers, professionals, and scientists have come together to offer a set of realistic and bold solutions to climate change. One hundred techniques and practices are described here—some are well known; some you may have never heard of. They range from clean energy to educating girls in lower-income countries to land use practices that pull carbon out of the air. The solutions exist, are economically viable, and communities throughout the world are currently enacting them with skill and determination. If deployed collectively on a global scale over the next thirty years, they represent a credible path forward, not just to slow the earth’s warming but to reach drawdown, that point in time when greenhouse gases in the atmosphere peak and begin to decline. These measures promise cascading benefits to human health, security, prosperity, and well-being—giving us every reason to see this planetary crisis as an opportunity to create a just and livable world.

The Composting Handbook provides a single guide to the science, principles and best practices of composting for large-scale composting operations facing a variety of opportunities and challenges converting raw organic materials into a useful and marketable product. Composting is a well-established and increasingly important method to recycle and add value to organic by-products. Many, if not most, of the materials composting treats are discarded materials that would otherwise place a burden on communities, industries, farms and the environment. Composting converts these materials into a valuable material, compost, that regenerates soils improving soils for plant growth and environmental conservation. The Composting Handbook expands on previously available resources by incorporating new information, new subjects and new practices, drawing its content from current scientific principles, research, engineering and industry experience. In both depth and breadth, it covers the knowledge that a compost producer needs to succeed. Topics include the composting process, methods of composting, equipment, site requirements, environmental issues and impacts, business knowledge, safety, and the qualities, uses and markets for the compost products. The Composting Handbook is an invaluable reference for composting facility managers and operators, prospective managers and operators, regulators, policy makers, environmental advocates, educators, waste generators and managers and generally people interested in composting as a business or a solution. It is also appropriate as a textbook for college courses and a supplemental text for training courses about composting or organic waste management. Created in conjunction with the Compost Research and Education Foundation (CREF) Includes the latest information on composting and compost, providing the first comprehensive resource in decades Written with focus on both academic and industrial insights and advances

Composting is a widely used biological process for the management of some wastes produced in communities and agricultural activities, which have experienced substantial growth during the last few years. Because this and the knowledge of composting has increased, the number of composting facilities has increased tremendously, especially in some European countries. Interest has also increased in several countries in other regions of the world. Compost Science and Technology attempts to summarize some of the most important work conducted during the last few years under one cover. The contributions to the publication are made by some of the most qualified professionals in the world and present the information in a clear and objective manner. The readers will find the information very useful and will be helpful in the design of new facilities and organic recycling programs. The manager or interested member of the community does not have to have a rigorous training in science or technology. - Up-to-date contributions by some of the most knowledgeable and respected leaders in the field - Clear and objective presentations, which are arranged in such a way that it is not necessary to read the entire book - Information is supported by data, tables and references - Covers most important aspects of the process including a brief historical review - May be used by teachers as well as practicioners in the field

Providing guidelines for implementing sustainable practices for traditional petroleum based plastics, biobased plastics, and recycled plastics, Sustainable Plastics and the Environment explains what sustainable plastics are, why sustainable plastics are needed, which sustainable plastics to use, and how manufacturing companies can integrate them into their manufacturing operations. A vital resource for practitioners, scientists, researchers, and students, the text includes impacts of plastics including Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and sustainability strategies related to biobased plastics and petroleum based plastics as well as end-of-life options for petroleum and biobased plastics.

Environmental Microbiology, besides a traditional discipline in Developing fast, because of realization of its importance in Industry, Agriculture Pharmaceutical concerns, Public Health, Geological explorations, bioenergetics and as a mean to exploit new sources of energy useful for various purposes. Environmental Microbiology comprises a crucial element of studies in microbiology. Enabling scientists to explore microbes in greater detail, it gives an insight into how microorganisms behave under non-simulated, natural conditions, although microbes that exist in artificial environments such as bioreactors are also studies. Exploring such processes as microbial ecology, microbially mediated nutrient cycling, geomicrobiology, microbial diversity and bioremediation the subject encompasses a great deal. Environmental Microbiology was born at the dawn of the "e;environmental era"e; at the beginning of the 1970s. Thirty years of maturation have led to an exciting and vibrant field that has attracted countless numbers of productive and enthusiastic scientists and students at universities, research centers and government agencies around the world. The present text has been designed to outline the basic and fundamental aspects of Environmental Microbiology to be understood in its right perspective. The modern techniques and designs employed in microbiological applications are discussed in a comprehensive manner which will update the readers of the commercial aspects of microbiology.

It is a first of its kind volume to address the recent issues emerging in agro-based economies. It will be the single point source for recent advancements in agro-based global bioeconomy. It empowers the utilization of biotechnology to address worldwide ecological issues by supporting sustainable resolutions for global agricultural markets. It gives both foundation hypothesis and functional direction on commercialization and regulatory issues. Empowers usage of adaptable approaches that can adjust to and uphold socially and financially valuable agro-based technologies.

Advances in Agronomy, Volume 179, the latest release in this leading reference on agronomy, contains a variety of updates and highlights new advances in the field. Chapters in this new release include Complementing Compost with Biochar for Agriculture, Soil Remediation and Climate Mitigation, Weed Management in Wet Direct-seeded Rice (Oryza sativa L.): Issues and Opportunities, Plant Temperature Response and Heat Tolerance in Rice: A Review, Obstacles in Continuous Cropping: Mechanisms and Control Measures, Agriculture-Related Green House Gas Emissions and Mitigation Measures, and more. - Includes numerous, timely, state-of-the-art reviews on the latest advancements in agronomy - Features distinguished, well recognized authors from around the world - Builds upon this venerable and iconic review series - Covers the extensive variety and breadth of subject matter in the crop and soil sciences

Organic waste composting is another excellent example to demonstrate the power and the benefits of nexus thinking. Even though organic waste composting itself is not a new topic, those who want to start a new project or align an ongoing project with nexus thinking, find it difficult to gather the necessary information. With nine case studies from four continents, this book aims to fill above gap in literature. While current literature on composting is often found to be limited to either soil/agriculture sector or waste management sector, this book presents a combined point of view. This open access book starts with an introductory chapter that describes the need to bring the waste management aspects and soil nutrient management aspects of compost production into one integrated theme. The relevance of nexus thinking and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are also presented in this introduction. The first three chapters after the introduction covers composting from the solid waste management and its policy aspects, taking examples from three developing countries. The next three examples are mostly about the benefits composting can provide to the soil and agriculture. These examples are also from three developing countries, but with a mixture of urban as well as rural settings. Last three chapters present more insight into the latest developments taking examples from Europe, as well as new methods adapted from the traditional styles from Africa.

Automotive Plastics and Composites: Materials and Processing is an essential guide to the use of plastic and polymer composites in automotive applications, whether in the exterior, interior, under-the-hood, or powertrain, with a focus on materials, properties, and processing. The book begins by introducing plastics and polymers for the automotive industry, discussing polymer materials and structures, mechanical, chemical, and physical properties, rheology, and flow analysis. In the second part of the book, each chapter is dedicated to a category of material, and considers the manufacture, processing, properties, shrinkage, and possible applications, in each case. Two chapters on polymer processing provide detailed information on both closed-mold and open-mold processing. The final chapters explain other key aspects, such as recycling and sustainability, design principles, tooling, and future trends. This book is an ideal reference for plastics engineers, product designers, technicians, scientists, and R&D professionals who are looking to develop materials, components, or products for automotive applications. The book also intends to guide researchers, scientists, and advanced students in plastics engineering, polymer processing, and materials science and engineering. - Analyzes mechanical, chemical, physical, and thermal properties, enabling the reader to select the appropriate material for specific applications - Explains polymer processing, with thorough coverage of operations across both closed-mold and open-mold processing - Provides systematic coverage of materials, including commodity and engineering thermoplastics, bio-based plastics, thermosets, composites, elastomeric polymers, and 3D-printed plastics