Success Story
Installation Complete: Howard County, Maryland Commercial Composting Facility
155' x 224' Genesis Series from Britespan Building Systems
At the Alpha Ridge Landfill in Marriottsville, Maryland, Howard County operates a commercial composting program designed to process organic waste responsibly while meeting strict environmental and regulatory expectations. The 15-acre facility converts food scraps, yard trimmings, and manure into a high-quality soil amendment that is used for county landscaping and made available to local residents and businesses.
To support the early stages of compost production, the GC Fabric Building Division constructed a 155’ x 224’ fabric building enclosure dedicated to pre-processing. Inside the building, incoming green waste and food waste are combined and prepared for composting, and larger material is ground into smaller pieces using a grinding machine to create a more consistent blend. This controlled, covered workspace helps streamline material handling and keeps operations moving efficiently through changing weather conditions.
Together, these elements create an efficient, scalable composting workflow—from receiving and grinding through curing and finished product—while supporting the County’s sustainability goals and protecting the surrounding environment.
Features
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155' x 224' Genesis Series from Britespan Building Systems
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Pier Foundation
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Independent Bunker Panels
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Open-ended Design
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Metal Framed Openings
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Ramp Access
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34,720 SF
Building Specs
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Location: Marriotsville, Maryland
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Size: 155' x 224'
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Year: 2022
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Use: Composting Facility
This compost facility has proven economical, efficient, and sustainable from an operational perspective, while creating long-term environmental benefits by diverting material that traditionally would have been landfilled, thereby reducing methane emissions.
Mark Gutberlet, P.E., BCEE, Vice President, EA Engineering