Pop Quiz: What is Compost?

In a few recent meetings and calls, it’s come up from both members and people outside the industry that there is no official definition of compost. So, we realize that it’s time, with the growth and expansion of the industry since USCC’s work with AAPFCO (American Association of Plant and Food Control Officials) to refresh our members on this work and the definition!
 
Two years ago, Ron Alexander, a longtime member, compost use expert and USCC’s representative on AAPFCO’s board, undertook the task of educating the organization’s committees and board about the specifics of compost as a product. This is critical for three reasons:
 
1) This group is made up of the officials around the U.S. who determine how and by whom compost can be sold.
2) More and more claims about non-compost-like products have been and are being made.
3) With the upsurge in state and federal legislation around composting in recent years, the definition needs to be technically accurate for use in legal terminology.

After a series of meetings, the AAPFCO board approved this definition, proposed by Ron and approved by AAPFCO subcommittees:
 
Compost – is the product manufactured through the controlled aerobic, biological decomposition of biodegradable materials. The product has undergone mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures, which significantly reduces the viability of pathogens and weed seeds, and stabilizes the carbon such that it is beneficial to plant growth. Compost is typically used as a soil amendment, but may also contribute plant nutrients.
 
You can find more out about the process (including the past definition) here.

It’s also important to remember that compost (for commercial sale) is made by compost manufacturers – our industry, like every professional industry, has definitions that federal and state agencies and policymakers use in legislation and regulations. Its our job to work to make this consistent throughout our industry, and members need to adopt this definition.