Nutrient Composition and Contaminants of Solid Cellulosic Waste

Solid cellulosic waste from the St. Louis solid waste stream was analyzed to determine nutrient composition and potential contaminants. Solid cellulosic waste contained large amounts of fiber and ash and was low in protein and in vitrodigestibility. Lead and arsenic apparently were in toxic concentrations while mercury, cadmium and chromium probably were marginal. In many samples pesticide residues were present in concentrations greater than allowed in feedstuffs by FDA; PCB's were very close to or greater than FDA tolerance. Corrugated fraction was the most digestible and least contaminated of all solid cellulosic waste and appeared to have the greatest potential for use in ruminant diets. Except for reduction of ash two physical processing methods had little effect upon composition of solid cellulosic waste.