- What non-agricultural source material is
- The benefits of using NASM
- How Ontario ensures NASM is safe to use
- Specific information about sewage biosolids
What non-agricultural source material (NASM) is
Non-agricultural source material - or NASM for short - includes yard waste, fruit and vegetable peels, food processing waste, pulp and paper biosolids and sewage biosolids. NASM provides valuable nutrients when applied on farmland.
The benefits of using NASM
Spreading NASM properly on farmland returns essential nutrients to the soil to help foster new plant growth. It allows the soil to breathe and hold water, decreasing water runoff and soil erosion, and increasing overall water conservation. Soils that have good organic matter content are easier to work and plant roots can find water and nutrients more easily.
Farmers also receive an economic benefit as NASM provides nitrogen, phosphorus and other micro-nutrients typically found in commercial fertilizers that would otherwise have to be purchased.
Another important benefit from using these materials on farmland is that it keeps them out of landfills, an important consideration in Ontario's waste diversion efforts.
How Ontario ensures NASM is safe to use
Ontario passed the Nutrient Management Act in June 2002. The intent of the act and its subsequent regulations is to provide comprehensive, enforceable, province-wide standards to regulate materials that are applied to agricultural land.
In September 2009 the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs jointly announced new rules and guidelines that built on the existing standards. The new requirements include greater consideration of the material quality and potential odour generation and cover any Ontario farm where non-agricultural source material will be applied, as opposed to just those farms that have livestock.
Please explore this section for all of the details about the new requirements and get links to more information.