Evaluating the Risk of PFAS and Microplastic Contamination of Agricultural Soils from Large-Scale Organic Waste Diversion Across the United States

Grantee: Corinne Scown – University of California, Berkeley
Amount: 225,600
Project Duration: 2 years

Diverting organic waste from landfills can reduce methane emissions and produce compost for agricultural use. However, PFAS and microplastics in incoming materials may remain in finished compost, creating questions about how expanded diversion could affect agricultural soils.

This project will combine published contaminant data with a geospatial model that simulates the movement of compost from organic waste sources to farmland across the contiguous United States. Researchers will estimate potential PFAS and microplastic flows, assess regional soil vulnerability, and compare scenarios involving different diversion rates, compost application rates, and contamination mitigation strategies.

The study will present estimates and associated uncertainties at national, state, and facility levels. The results are intended to help organics processors, land managers, and policymakers understand where contamination concerns may arise and evaluate strategies for managing those concerns as organic waste diversion expands.