UNDERSTAND BIOSOLIDS Advantages

Land application surpasses disposal by using residuals as a nutrified soil fertilizer. This reuse offers direct economic benefits to several stakeholders:

	Farmers benefit through increased crop productivity Taxpayers benefit through reduction of landfill fees Municipalities benefit from the production of a saleable fertilizer product
The advantages of biosolids versus synthetic fertilizers also are numerous; they include:
	Biosolids improve soil by enriching it with “slow release” organic matter — preferable to synthetic fertilizers Biosolids increase plant growth by providing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and other nutrients critical for healthy plant growth Biosolids reduce soil erosion because biosolids-enriched soil encourages thick vegetation and binds water in the soil, limiting sediment runoff during rain Biosolids improve ecosystems by providing nourishment for beneficial soil organisms

Further, land application operations in close proximity to biosolids treatment further expand environmental benefits by lowering transportation energy expenditure and cost.

Exciting new developments in the industry involve the use of dried raw sludge and dried digested sludge as fuel with energy values similar to lignite or brown coal. Alternative technologies to drying also are in early development stages and may prove viable in coming years.

The processing, drying, and recycling of biosolids combine to form an integral cycle in the global movement to environmental sustainability. At NEFCO we are proud to contribute to this goal.