Ann Arbor, MI | nchardoul@recycle.com

Nicole Chardoul, a licensed professional engineer, certified hazardous materials manager, and certified compost professional, is Principal and Vice President at Resource Recycling Systems, a resource management consulting firm headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI. Nicole brings expertise in resource management, organics program design, construction management and engineering. Nicole is actively working with the Michigan Organics Council, private companies, municipalities, universities and healthcare to conduct assessments, conduct training and build capacity for waste reduction and composting to support the local economy and healthy food and soil. She has also managed the design, construction and implementation of numerous material recovery facilities, transfer stations, drop-off stations, and compost sites. Nicole utilizes her background working in various settings to implement sustainable initiatives to reduce costs, maximize landfill diversion, and improve efficiencies, awareness, compliance and public health. Nicole received a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Session Code: F6

Track: Diversion and Collection

Session Name: Innovative Case Studies

Session Time: Thursday, Jan 26, 2:00 – 3:30 PM

Presentation Title: Utilizing Collaboration to Improve Rural Regional Organic Diversion

Presentation Description: According to the 2021 Michigan Gap Analysis Update, organics was identified as the single largest component of municipal solid waste at 38% by weight. The ten counties in rural Northwest lower Michigan had a 2019 estimated 241,585 tons of MSW landfill disposal, including over 67,000 tons of organics going to landfill. Organics diversion from landfill was approximately 5,800 tons, with the majority (93%) being yard waste. A small group of stakeholders gathered to discuss the issue of diverting more organic material in the region and grew to include non-profits, for-profits, municipalities, and industry experts. After receiving grant funding from both the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and the Rotary Charities of Traverse City, SEEDS Ecology and Education Centers, a non-profit based in Traverse City, Michigan and RRS, a consultancy based in Ann Arbor, MI lead a market assessment to better understand and address the organics waste streams and potential recovery solutions in the 10-county rural region. The study looked across the full value chain including case study review, surveys, evaluations, and models for technical, financial, and environmental impacts of discovered opportunities. Multi-scale considerations and solutions were recommended including elements of prevention, rescue/recovery, small-scale and large-scale composting.  SEEDS, through continued regional stakeholder support, and as one of eight teams selected in the inaugural organics cohort of NextCycle Michigan, continues to build their operations and network of technical and financial partners to implement a regional multi-stakeholder and organics value chain collaborative program.