Announcing the Emerging Composter Challenge Winners!

The USCC Young Professionals Group is proud to announce the winners of the Emerging Composter Challenge from this year’s COMPOST2025 Conference and Trade Show in Phoenix! A highlight for conference attendees and early-career compost professionals, the ECC showcased creative solutions aimed at advancing the compost industry. After an inspiring round of presentations and a final pitch session before a panel of industry experts, we are thrilled to announce this year’s top three winners!

 

Nicholas Fox

First Place – Nicholas Fox
Nassau, The Bahamas

Project
Commercial & Residential Organics Collection in The Bahamas

Nicholas is tackling the island’s dire need for locally produced, high-quality, organic soil amendments. With tourism and landscaping among the largest industries, the nation generates a significant volume of organic waste – all too often sent to landfills. Nicholas’s enterprise brings composting directly to residents and businesses, helping rejuvenate Bahamian agriculture through affordable, clean and nutrient-rich soil products.

Watch Nicholas' video pitch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW-CqaaE6Hw

 

Elizabeth "Liz" Turner

Second Place – Liz Turner
North Powder, OR

Project
The Compost Chick and Learning Center

Liz’s initiative brings curbside composting services to rural Eastern Oregon, complete with innovative integration of goats and chickens to reduce and process food scraps. Her education-forward approach also aims to engage youth and families, highlighting the simple yet impactful steps everyone can take toward a greener future in their own backyard.

Watch Liz's video pitch here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/o2_JzkR4tRE

 

Celestine Taieb

Third Place – Celestine Taieb
Wood Ridge, NJ

Project
Compost Against All Odds, Source Compost LLC

Celestine’s company, Source Compost, offers an all-in-one solution –collection, transportation and cleaning – for businesses, towns and residents seeking to divert food waste from landfills. While navigating stringent regulatory barriers in Northern New Jersey, Celestine’s vision extends beyond hauling to eventually processing food waste locally. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions and turning food scraps into valuable compost, Source Compost aims to transform waste management across the region.

Watch Celestine's video pitch here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OOZtp3CKdkM

 

To support the growth of their projects, each of these innovators received a cash prize: $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second, and $2,000 for third. More importantly, the finalists gained invaluable exposure and mentorship from seasoned composting professionals and ECC partners.

The ECC is made possible by the generous support of USCC members, including leading partners Republic and Dirt Hugger, creative partners Sustainable Generation, BioBag Americas, Green Mountain Technologies, Inc., ERTH Products and Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), as well as impact partners EcoProducts and Cedar Grove Composting Inc. Their support ensures emerging leaders in composting continue to receive critical resources and opportunities.

Congratulations to these young professionals for their hard work and dedication to advancing organic waste management practices. We look forward to seeing how these projects continue to develop, and we are already excited for the next round of ideas at COMPOST2026!