As could be expected in a country with climates (both meteorological and political) that vary widely, experiences of the compost industry from the coronavirus pandemic appear to differ in most ways but one: everyone has had to change the way they operate. In all, USCC received 136 responses in a five-day period solicited primary from 1,500 member contacts and numerous partner organization contacts.
Several frequent themes emerged:
A majority, 70%, said during the survey period that their facilities was still in operation and categorized as an “essential service,” though anecdotally we have heard that may have changed in recent days. See USCC COVID-19 Resources on Essential Services or listen to Part 2 of our COVID-19 Webinars.
Collection is heavily disrupted, with 43% reporting reduced or shut down food scrap collection; and 27% reporting reduced yard trimmings collection. There were also comments about yard waste being temporarily diverted to landfilling. Listen to Part 3 of our COVID-19 Webinars.
More than half are, for now (two months was often cited), “fine” on inventoried feedstocks, though 12 percent said the decrease in food scrap is impacting their nitrogen supply. Another reported “mass dumping” in a local park; and another mentioned being “low on woodchips due to rolloff containers being diverted to medical facilities.”
Finished product inventory is typical for the time of year for 50% who responded, and 30% have a winter backlog. A few have sold out, with 16% stating that spring is product rampup time. Tune in Tuesday, April 21 for Part 3 of our COVID-19 Webinars or see our Victory Gardens Tool Shed page.
While 30% have reduced wholesale sales, 13% have increased retail sales, primarily through delivery (50% reported using delivery for sales). Numerous respondents commented that even if they were allowed so sell, the hunger for gardening caused crowded conditions and they chose to close front of house sales due to social distancing.
Worksite health and safety was a big priority for those who answered the survey, with 83% implementing social distancing measures at the workplace that ranged from rotating/staggering employee shifts; sanitizing cabs of equipment or not allowing “switchoff” of employees on equipment; aggressive sanitizing of doorknobs, counters, phones and equipment, and frequent handwashing. Most are communicating their changes to customers via email and social media; and to employees in-person.
See our COVID-19 Health and Safety Resources page, or listen to Part 2 of our COVID-19 Webinar Series.
Safety of feedstocks and end product from employees and customers is a frequent concern, with 36% reporting staff questions, and 17% reporting questions from customers about product. Many comments in the survey, however, asked for talking points and guidance for compost product produced from feedstock during COVID-19.
To see the survey results graph, click here.