CCOM Spotlight: Will Kelley

Will Kelley has worked for Napa Recycling & Waste Services (NRWS) for eight years and is responsible for managing all composting operations onsite, including but not limited to:

• supervising up to 15 compost operators and overseeing all composting equipment and machinery (stationary and mobile);
• managing incoming feedstock processing and blending, active composting and curing processes;
• ensuring safety during all operations and onsite environmental compliance with stormwater and odor, air and dust emissions; and
• overseeing final production of finished compost and sale of material to customers.

Kelley has contributed to numerous business development projects focused on innovative and sustainable solutions. In January 2020, Kelley completed NRWS’s transition from traditional windrow composting to an engineered covered aerated static pile (CASP) composting system thus decreasing air pollutants while increasing composting throughput. Other successes managed and implemented by Kelley include: 1) the modernization of the greenwaste processing line by converting diesel machinery to an all-electric fleet of screens, grinders, and equipment; 2) working with local businesses to capture and reuse wastewater for beneficial uses within the composting processes; and 3) installing a food depackager with funding from CalRecycle resulting in expansion of organics collected and processed onsite and reduction in wasted packaged foods. Currently, Kelley is managing the development for a regional CASP composting system in Yolo County, which would serve surrounding communities and increase Yolo County’s composting throughput by 100,000 tons.

"Why I pursued certification?”

"I received USCC certification for industry recognition and to challenge my current knowledge of composting operations management.”