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Devon Pasco

Manufactured Topsoil Approved by State Agency

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Written collaboratively with the Northeast Biosolids & Residuals Association (NEBRA) and the Green Mountain Water Environment Association (GMWEA) this article highlights the benefits of residuals recycling and explores the very first Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) construction project that was completed using our Manufactured Topsoil.

Authorization to supply Manufactured Topsoil to these transportation construction projects was the result of collaborative meetings between RMI, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), VTrans, the Recycled Materials Working Group (RMWG), and Engineers Construction Inc. (ECI.) Approval was received in July of 2022, and shortly after this our work with the Williston Park and Ride project began. RMI supplied biosolids, paper fiber, and wood ash to our distribution partner ECI who screened and mixed the materials into a blended soil. Healthy, robust microbial activity resulted in a thick cover of grass sprouting up within just a few weeks. All parties were very satisfied with the end result, and the Park and Ride remains bordered by hearty vegetation. 

All residuals used in this mix were sourced from generators in Vermont, including Soundview Paper, the largest producer of residuals within the state. Recycling these materials not only supports the local circular economy by ensuring that nothing goes to waste, but also diverts them from landfills subject to capacity. While we did encounter a brief pause due to PFAS scrutiny, soil test results along with the support of Vermont regulators, generators, soil scientists, and the biosolids community allowed us to resume.

Our Manufactured Topsoil was created as a way to beneficially and sustainably re-use residuals, and continued VTrans projects will provide outlets for these recycled materials across the state. This is thanks to the hard work of many individuals, as well as continued support from the state of Vermont for sustainable solutions and the reduction of waste.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at RMF

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July 13th was a momentous day for our team. After several months of planning, coordinating, permitting, and construction, we watched our two new biosolids storage buildings go from a set of plans to two fully formed structures. These two additional Calhoun structures sit diagonally from our original pair of buildings, making a total of four on site.

In celebration of their completion, RMI’s three founders along with members of the operations, compliance, sales, and administrative teams gathered together for an official ribbon cutting ceremony on-site. As an unsuspecting guest of honor, Project Manager Wes Wixson of Infrastructure Construction Corporation was surprised with the unveiling of the name of the second building, officially the “Wes E. Wixson Biosolids Storage Building No.2.”

Our group assembled around the entrances of buildings one and two with Co-owners Marty Riehs and Charley Hanson each holding an end of the ribbon. President Shelagh Connelly performed the honorable task of cutting the ribbon, a symbolic act of progress and dedication to responsible and sustainable residuals management.

This site is the only private merchant biosolids storage and processing facility in New Hampshire, and the expansion is something we think is truly worth celebrating. One hundred percent of the biosolids (and all other residuals) that we manage are beneficially reused in our recycling programs to improve the health and quality of local soils. When land applied, biosolids act as a nutrient rich fertilizer high in organic matter and micro-nutrients. They are an excellent source of slow-release nitrogen and are an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective alternative to commercial fertilizers as well as an essential component in our Manufactured Topsoil.

The ability to utilize these two new structures for the processing and management of biosolids is a win all around. This expansion aids in global efforts to divert usable materials from our landfills and provides numerous benefits to the generators and end– users of these materials, as well as to organics recycling efforts throughout the Northeast.

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The Spring 2023 Newsletter Is Here!

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Water’s Worth It to New Hampshire

Access to clean water is critical in New Hampshire and the 100-plus headcount at the March 2023 “Water’s Worth It!” Legislative Breakfast in Concord is a testament to the extensive support for this cause throughout the state. RMI worked together with members of NHWPCA, GSRWA, NHWWA, and NEWEA to help organize the two-hour event, which featured congressional greetings and remarks from State Senator Denise Ricciardi and Congressional leaders Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Chris Pappas.

Presentations included current water challenges facing New Hampshire, such as aging infrastructure, need for more qualified professionals, climate change, and wastewater treatment facilities tasked with the cleanup of improperly disposed items. Shared also were success stories like newly available incentive programs, grants, and funding for clean water, as well as the invaluable implementation of the Clean Water Act that led to the revival of the “Mighty” Merrimack River.

While there are certainly challenges and obstacles to overcome regarding access and affordability of clean water in New Hampshire, there is also a history of success in this state thanks to the tireless efforts of many dedicated individuals. Future progress will require innovation, education, and continued efforts in public awareness, especially regarding relevant legislation. Overall, there is an inspiring amount of support for the “Water’s Worth It!” movement in New Hampshire and RMI looks forward to contributing however we can to promote the success of future events.

RMI attends 2023 National Water Policy Fly-In

Two members of RMI, President Shelagh Connelly and Sales Representative Christina Adams, flew to Washington D.C. to attend the National Water Policy Fly-In as part of Water Week 2023. Representatives from across the wastewater, drinking water, stormwater, and water reuse sectors attended this major annual event to jointly advocate for water policy.

Over the span of the two-day event, attendees were able to hear remarks from prominent members of Congress, as well as meet with legislators and government officials on Capitol Hill. 2023 brought with it some complex challenges for the water sector, including emerging contaminants, workforce shortages, and a need for continued funding for infrastructure, climate resiliency, and water research, making this event all the more crucial.

As always, RMI was very impressed with the engagement of our National Delegation – and saw first-hand the great work being done by our Senators Shaheen and Hassan, and our Congresspeople Kuster and Pappas. The granite state is fortunate to have this team working for us in DC.

 

Our Fleet Grows Again!

The latest addition to our fleet is “RMI-22,” a 2024 Peterbilt 389 Day Cab which is one of three similar style trucks found within the company. RMI’s fleet, now totaling 11 trucks in all combinations, has an average age of four years standing.  Maintaining a solid fleet of trucks and trailers allows RMI to be available for all our customers and generators when it matters, and updating the fleet helps to keep the cost of repairs lower. Getting a new piece of equipment built can take up to a year in some cases, and a lot of time and planning goes into the process. Concurrently, attention must be given to keeping the current fleet in tip-top condition. Our Operations Department has worked diligently to keep both of these aspects of managing the fleet well balanced. These investments in the fleet keep us on time, keep the RMI name reliable, and let’s face it, the shiny chrome looks great!

Employee Spotlight

We are very proud to announce that RMI Sales Representative Joanne Chickering has recently become a Certified Crop Advisor! Crop Advisors work closely with farmers to provide management plans and recommendations for overall crop and soil health. Their agronomic knowledge and expertise help farms navigate through the many variables that can impact their plants during growing season.

Joanne currently provides agronomic recommendations for our customer orders, breaking down the N-P-K, Mg, and lime values of the products ordered and the recommended application rate per acre. Joanne has been a staple of our sales team and we are super appreciative of all of her hard work! Thanks Joanne and congratulations!

Crop Advisor Column

Spring is definitely in full swing. Many fields are planted with a lot of first cut already being harvested in the area. The dry weather has helped get lots of work done quickly, however, it seems to be getting quite dry. If this is an indication of what is in store for this growing season, it is especially important to make sure our soils are balanced for nutrients and pH so that when the rain does arrive the plants can utilize all available nutrients efficiently.

Soil samples are the best place to start during a soil health quest and it’s important to consider the ultimate goal of healthy soil as a long term, farm specific goal; one size does not fit all. After we know what the soils need, we can begin to address the best ways to provide what our crops need and the overall goal of the farm. Nutrients applied with organic matter are better able to stay in the soil and provide lasting nutrition as the season plays out, and resist losses through leaching in a wet year.

Building organic matter in soils is an initiative many organizations have put an emphasis on and funding opportunities for farmers have never been more plentiful. I encourage producers to do a little research, many amendments RMI has to offer may be eligible for funding. NRCS and American Farmland Trust are two places that come to mind that offer financial assistance to farmers in building soil resilience as our climate and weather patterns continue to be less predictable. I hope everyone has a productive and healthy year. I am available to talk about farm specific goals and crop issues or questions.

Joanne Chickering
Joanne.chickering@RMIrecycles.com

 

Expansion Project Underway

Resource Management, Inc. (RMI) is constructing two brand new buildings at their Residuals Management Facility (RMF) located in New Hampton, NH. These buildings are being manufactured by Calhoun Super Structure and built by Iron Horse Structures. There are currently two similar existing structures utilized on site. The new buildings are 42’ wide by 120’ long with the base of each building consisting of approximately 350 concrete blocks, each weighing one ton. Each building will be able to hold approximately 1,000 tons of material. These new buildings will increase RMI’s ability to manage biosolids and wood ash in NH, with this material being utilized as a natural fertilizer by farmers.

These new buildings are a significant investment in the biosolids management infrastructure for the region, and highlights RMI’s commitment to sustainable and responsible biosolids practices. By repurposing and transforming biosolids and wood ash, they are diverting these materials from landfills and turning them into a valuable resource for local farmers. This approach not only benefits the environment but also supports local agriculture, creating a circular economy that benefits all parties involved.

Overall, the construction of these buildings is an exciting development for RMI. By investing in innovative and sustainable biosolids practices, they are setting a high standard for the industry and demonstrating that responsible biosolids management is environmentally friendly and socially responsible.

Happy Retirement, Mike!

Since 1999, RMI has worked with Monadnock Paper Mill to recycle their short paper fiber (a residual from the paper making process) for reuse as a livestock bedding. Located in Bennington, NH, Monadnock has a wonderfully rich history and has recently celebrated 200 years of operation! They are renowned for their environmental stewardship, achieving status as a New Hampshire Green Leader, obtaining ISO 14001 certification for their Environmental Management System, and winning multiple awards including the Governor’s Award for Pollution Prevention and Business NH Magazine’s­ Lean & Green Award.
Not only are they environmentally exceptional, but we’d say that their employees are the cream of the crop as well. RMI has had the pleasure of working with Monadnock Wastewater Treatment Facility Supervisor Mike Butler since the very beginning. An employee of Monadnock for 48 years (though some legends say he’s been there all 200), Mike plans to kick off his retirement in June of 2023. We can’t express enough how grateful we are to have had such a wonderful relationship with Mike over the years, and we wish him a future full of happiness, health, and a lot of traveling in his retirement. Thanks for everything Mike, and a warm welcome to his successor Rich Pierson!

2023 National Water Policy Fly-In

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Two members of RMI, President Shelagh Connelly and Sales Representative Christina Adams, flew into Washington D.C. to attend the National Water Policy Fly-In as part of Water Week 2023. Representatives from across the wastewater, drinking water, stormwater, and water reuse sectors attended this major annual event to jointly advocate for water policy. Over the span of the two-day event, attendees were able to hear remarks from prominent members of Congress, as well as meet with legislators and government officials on Capitol Hill.

2023 brought with it some complex challenges for the water sector, including emerging contaminants, workforce shortages, and a need for continued funding for infrastructure, climate resiliency, and water research, making this event all the more crucial. As always, RMI was very impressed with the engagement of our National Delegation – and saw first-hand the great work being done by our Senators Shaheen and Hassan, and our Congresspeople Kuster and Pappas. The granite state is fortunate to have this team working for us in DC.

Water’s Worth It to New Hampshire

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Access to clean water is critical in New Hampshire and the 100 plus headcount at yesterday’s “Water’s Worth It!” Legislative Breakfast in Concord is a testament to the extensive support for this cause throughout the state.

Members of the New Hampshire Water Pollution Control Association (NHWPCA), Granite State Rural Water Association (GSRWA), New Hampshire Water Works Association (NHWWA), and New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA) worked together to organize the two-hour event, beginning with congressional greetings and remarks from State Senators Denise Ricciardi and Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Chris Pappas.

Wastewater professionals Heidi Lauricella (GSRWA), Boyd Smith (NHWWA), Fred McNeill (City of Manchester-EPD), and Rene Pelletier (NH DES) followed up with presentations on the current water challenges facing New Hampshire, such as aging infrastructure, need for more qualified professionals, climate change, and wastewater treatment facilities tasked with the cleanup of improperly disposed items. Shared also were success stories like newly available incentive programs, grants, and funding for clean water, as well as the invaluable implementation of the Clean Water Act that led to the revival of the “Mighty” Merrimack River.

Keynote speaker Scott Spradling provided his valuable media expertise, and reinforced the idea that achieving public awareness of these water issues would require everyone’s voice. His insightful presentation included strategies for successful communication and public relations in today’s ever-changing media landscape.

The takeaway from the Legislative Breakfast this year is that while there are certainly challenges and obstacles to overcome regarding access and affordability of clean water in New Hampshire, there is also a history of success in this state thanks to the tireless efforts of many dedicated individuals. Future progress will require innovation, education, and continued efforts in public awareness, especially regarding relevant legislation. Overall, there is an inspiring amount of support for the “Water’s Worth It!” movement in New Hampshire, and this event will be one of many with the goal of championing water.

In celebration of International Women’s Day the wonder women of New Hampshire’s
Water’s Worth It Legislative Breakfast gathered for a group picture.

RMI Attends 2023 No-Till & Cover Crop Conference

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With the reemergence of in-person conferences in 2023, RMI had the pleasure of attending the No-Till and Cover Crop Conference this past Thursday in Burlington, VT. Attended by farmers, students, consultants, ag businesses, and more, the conference had an impressive turnout and was diligently organized as usual by the tireless UVM Extension staff.

This year’s theme was “Digging Deeper: Optimizing No-Till, Cover Crops, and Fertility Resources,” with sessions including the application and management of manure, cover crop alternatives to winter rye, and projects underway by UVM researchers. Topics were explored thoroughly and thoughtfully and included audience Q&A. Guest speakers traveled from a variety of states including New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, each presenting unique experiences, research, and innovations from their own farms. Collectively the sessions helped paint a broad picture of successful cover cropping and no-till practices in use, along with promoting a positive outlook for the future of these practices.

In attendance on behalf of RMI were Sales Representative Daniel Riendeau, Certified Crop Advisor and Sales Representative Joanne Chickering, and Administrative Assistant Devon Pasco. Many familiar faces stopped by the RMI booth to chat; those of our community members, industry peers, and long-time customers. It is always a pleasure speaking with everyone both familiar and new at these events, and we appreciate the opportunity to connect with our community in person once again.

RMI will be tabling at the upcoming UVM Extensions Organic Dairy Conference on March 9th in Randolph Center, VT, and we encourage anyone looking for down to earth soil solutions to stop by and chat with our phenomenal team.

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