Market Potential for Sludge Compost Product

Abstract

The success of composting as one of the alternatives for biological solids disposal depends, besides the technical feasibility, on the public acceptance of the product and on the availability of the market. This paper presents a case study illustrating a method to explore the potential demand of the compost product among four possible major users: sod farmer, landscaper/forester, nursery/greenhouse, and general public. The recommended first target market could be individual large users, such as Milwaukee City and County, and certain landscape contractors. The next segment could be sod farmers, nurseries, and greenhouses. The last segment to which marketing is desirable is probably the general population. The market survey has shown that the potential demand for the product in the southeastern Wisconsin is very good. However, it is not certain that, at present, the compact product could be commercialized.