"Dr. Chris Furedy" schrieb:

>   Is there any formula that would help an authority, firm or
> organization calculate whether the amount of space available relative to
> organics to be composted would require an aerated approach as vs the
> slower traditional approach?

Dear Chris,
as far as I know there is no general formula to calculate futural waste
amounts. It depends on to much boundary conditions as the population
development, disposal costs and fees, the waste collection system, development
in legislature and economy, etc. So an estimation of the futural amounts
always needs very specific considerations of the city or area.

>  But that contract would require that the city
> guarantee a minimum quantity of waste to be transported for years to come.
> If the quantity is less, the city will have to pay for the transport at
> the guaranteed level, nevertheless.

About five years ago Braunschweig, a city nearby Wolfenbüttel where I am
working, faced a compareable problem as you described for Toronto. There they
made a contract with an incineration plant operator, which at this time seemed
to be fair in prices. The amounts estimated for the following years had been a
bit high but not too high, when the contract was subscribed.
Enormous changes in legislation lead to very low disposal costs and to very
low amounts going to the responsible authority in Braunschweig. So now
Braunschweig pays much higher disposal costs than the surrounding cities and
counties. And they have to pay penalties because they cannot deliver the
guaranteed waste amounts .
Necessary is to estimate the waste amounts backed up by research or an
experienced consultancy.
One idea: if the operational costs for the landfill site in Toronto are not
too high, latter could be used as a buffer. You could estimate the waste
amounts pessimistic, i.e. lower than expected to, for the contract and put the
more on the runnung landfill in Toronto.
Independently of waste problems in developing or in devoloped country an
international interchange is absolutely necessary.
I am looking forward to keep in contact with you and all the participants of
this many-sided session,
with kind regards
Andreas