The Potential for Beneficial Re-use of Sewage Sludge and Coal Combustion By-products

Growth in population and industrial production results in increased production of municipal and industrial wastes. Two waste products are considered here, coal combustion by-products and sewage sludge. Combinations of these two waste products have the potential to serve as fertilizer replacements or soil amendments in a wide variety of applications. The potential for utilizing these waste products as soil amendments and fertilizers for agricultural production is considered here. We find that, in general, using coal combustion by-products mixed with sewage sludge can save farmers money by replacing commercial fertilizers.