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 From the Top of the Pile
During my time as Executive Director at the USCC and as a previous board member, I have never seen so much activity in the compost advocacy space. Last year, the COMPOST Act was the first time the nation saw a bill dedicated to compost. The bill did not go on to become law, as not much passed in congress in 2021.
As we approach the end of 2022, we have two new opportunities for compost advocacy. The Recycling and Composting Accountability Act, HR8059/S3743, was introduced by Rep Joe Neguse of Colorado, Tim Burchett of Tennessee and Bill Foster of Illinois and tasks the EPA with studying and planning a national composting strategy as part of recycling infrastructure. The bills call for data collection, infrastructure quantification, study of compost production best practice, compost use markets and compostable packaging feedstocks, and funding for public education on composting.
This legislation will provide greater access to data about the compost industry. The bipartisan companion bill, S3743, was passed by the Senate unanimously on July 28, and it is now up to the House to put it into effect.
USCC NEWS Thanks for the patience and excitement you showed during our Phase I launch of the STA database in December 2021. Contract Renewal for this fiscal year July 2022-June 2023 was launched on July 14, and the normal application window without late fee is closing on August 16. Please go to STA Gateway for submitting the contract. Please have the following items ready to renew your STA:
• How many finished wet tons you produce for each STA product
• What percentage of each feedstock you use to create those products
• Specific directions for using each product
• First page of the Facility permit copy / Annual report if available
 We’ve launched! With great excitement, the US Composting Council along with the Compost Research & Education Foundation is happy to announce our new industry-focused online learning management system. Compost University is now live!
Our goal with Compost U is to provide an on-demand educational resource for our members and industry professionals who are looking to advance their continuing education objectives and aspirations while making it easy to overcome challenges caused by limited time and ability to travel. Compost U combines industry-leading content from USCC and CREF training and education resources, including conference talks, webinars, short classes and new longer advanced courses. This new platform offers hundreds of digital coursework covering a wide range of business, science, management, safety, and technical topics which can be taken anytime, anywhere.
Click HERE to learn more about the program, including the composting side of the equation, or click HERE to see additional case studies and how-to resources on The Hub! Stay tuned next month to see how the city of Kingston, NY created a financially self-sustaining composting program! 
Teri Sorg-McManamon is a non-profit and marketing communications professional and is the Project Manager for Compost University, the online learning management system led by the US Composting Council and the Compost Research and Education Foundation. Teri has been in the organics and composting industry for 30+ years, having spent 23 years as the Advertising Director for BioCycle magazine. Prior to that she worked with Rodale Institute as Advertising Director of The New Farm, a magazine on sustainable agriculture. Teri currently sits on several non-profit boards and is a past board member of the US Composting Council where she spent many years as chair of International Compost Awareness Week, member of Nominations, State Chapter Advisory and Strategic Alliances committees. Teri is a creative professional with diverse expertise in all aspects of successful project management, communications, fundraising, public relations and community outreach. She is a Florida Southern College graduate, and lives in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, where she is an elected official.  Three seats are open for election to the 2023 Board, which is seated January 1, 2023, for three year terms for two Compost Manufacturers and one Affiliate.
The prospective nominee should review “Board Member Roles and Responsibilities” and “Code of Ethics Policy” before submitting his or her nomination. Please submit via email to: nominations@compostingcouncil.org
This is the only valid email address where the official Nomination Form can be accepted. Upon receipt of your nomination, you will be asked to complete a short video introducing yourself and your goals for the industry.
Interested in running? See this page for more information about the Board. PLEASE give serious consideration to running or nominating a peer.
State compost regulators from over 25 U.S. states joined the USCC on Tuesday, August 3, to celebrate the launch of the Compost Regulator Forum and Discussion Group. This effort, which is inspired by the forum formerly run by the EPA, gathered positive feedback from regulators all over the United States as a dedicated space to maintain and fortify stakeholder engagement in the composting industry and share resources and information.
Exceutive Director Frank Franciosi shared the recent changes to the Composting Model Rule Template. The Model Rule 2.0 is a major part of a wider suite of resources that can be utilized to guide the decision-making process as we work to improve composting infrastructure nationwide.
Becca is working with Linda Norris Waldt and the Legislative and Enviromental Affairs Committee (LEAC) on compost advocacy efforts as a policy intern. Last week Linda and Becca meet in Vermont to work and visit with USCC member Dan Goossen of Green Mountain Compost ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC POLICY BRIEFS The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry made a major investment in carbon sequestration in agricultural soils in the recently-passed Inflation Reduction Act, a move that could translate into funds for compost use as a conservation practice as well as technical assistance for practices that capture carbon in soils.
The act, passed the Senate Sunday and is now before the House of Representatives. More than $20 billion is dedicated to programs such as the EQUP program (which funds the new Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Carbon Amendment 336, the conservation practice funding compost use on farms) and $1 billion in technical assistance funding for the NRCS to implement this program and others that focus on climate change mitigation. “This action by the Senate is a huge step forward in regenerative practices that will draw down carbon by sequestration, and compost is part of that prescription,” said Frank Franciosi, executive director of the US Composting Council. “We hope the House takes this up quickly and retains this significant level of funding.”
STATE CHAPTER NEWS
The NJ Composting Council and the Rutgers EcoComplex are pleased to announce the 2022 Organics Waste Management Summit: Compost - Climate Change Connection
Organics processors, composters, haulers, regulators, academics, organics waste management professionals, sustainable community organizations, and nonprofits are invited to join the conversation about New Jersey’s organics management practices. Keynoting the event will be Dr. Lily Pollens author of Resisting Garbage: The Politics of Waste Management in American Cities. A PhD in city planning from MIT, Dr. Pollens examines how cities can defy pressure towards disposability through waste management reforms. In her work, she traces the complications and potential that such urban-scale resistance generates, and finds reason for optimism in some subtle, yet radical, choices that city governments are making around the world.
The Summit will host panels featuring experienced industry professionals, academics and regulators on the following topics:
• State and city food waste initiatives and climate change programs
• The role and how to work with compostable packaging • Compost facility management (economics, PFAS, new techniques) • Funding and operating climate friendly organics businesses
Front Row: Risa Weinberger, Risa Weinberger Associates; Lora Hinchcliff, Living Earth; Diana Frachiseur, Texas Organic; Denise Winter, New Earth/WeCare Denali Back row; Steve Akers, Back to Nature Compost; John Soules, Texas Organic; David Lehfeldt, City of Corpus Christi; Sam Forester, President; Coriann Kalsbeek, Green Cow Compost Absent for the photo were board members Neil Gray, UT-Tyler; Dustin Deel, City of Weatherford; Marshall Dow, Silver Creek Materials Member Benefits
Are you interested in starting a composting company or curious to know what it takes? Register today for the USCC Young Professionals webinar on the afternoon of September 6, and listen to our panel discussion with compost industry leaders about their journeys and the lessons they picked up along the way. We will be talking about financing, marketing, the job market and everything they wish they knew when they first started their compost business.
The YP Webinar Committee is pleased to welcome our three panelists, Pierce Louis of Dirt Hugger, Michael Robinson of Rust Belt Riders and Jamie Blanchard-Polling of Compost Queen PBC.
Thank you to Komptech Americas for being our sponsor. To register, visit the USCC website
Thank you to all of our members who took the time to respond to the membership "talk back"
survey in July. The feedback we received is invaluable and will help guide the industry moving forward.
The winners of the drawing for a free workshop at COMPOST2023 are:
Michael Bridgman Cal Poly State University,
and
Kristine Ellsworth New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Looking for a way to relax after a long day at work? Join the USCC Young Professionals at our upcoming Virtual Happy Hour on Thursday, September 1, at 7:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. PST). RSVP by emailing youngprofessionalsgroup@compostingcouncil.org to receive a Zoom invite.
We enjoy catching up with our YP friends, celebrating achievements and reflecting on challenges. Share the YP Happy Hour invite with your colleagues and join our outreach committee for an hour of conversation and fun.
The USCC Young Professionals awarded membership scholarships to five recipients at the end of last month. Join us in welcoming our new members.
Katya Forsyth Emerging Composter Committee
Aswathaman Vijayan Webinar Committee
Cindy Liles Volunteer Committee
Patrick Jordan Emerging Composter Committee
Celeste Mendez Volunteer Committee
YP membership scholarship recipients are awarded a one-year membership to the USCC. For more information on the YP scholarship program, please visit our website here.
If you are a young entrepreneur in the organics recycling industry, join our group of Young Professionals to gain access to countless career growth opportunities in your field by networking with colleagues, connecting with experts, and advocating for technological and legislative advancements in compost manufacturing.
MEMBER NEWS
OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) provides an essential public service for the County of Orange, through waste management and recycling to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations. Reflecting innovative environmental engineering at its best, our three active landfills are among the largest in the state and annually receive more than 4 million tons of solid waste.
California's waste industry is undergoing monumental transformation with the passing of SB 1383 to expand organics diversion away from landfills. OCWR is leading the effort to comply with the new mandates and is committed to creating a beneficial reuse for material that was once considered waste. Currently, OCWR has composting operations co-located at two landfills, and anticipate the opening of a third in late 2022. The company creates quality compost from green waste collected from residential homes. Composting helps reduce greenhouse gasses and conserves landfill capacity. The use of compost creates healthy soils, adding nutrients for plant growth as well as improving water retention and quality.
OCWR's greeneries utilize windrow composting and will evolve to covered aerated static piles (CASP) and then to integrating multiple types of feedstock. The composting operations’ goal is to provide a regional solution that meets new mandates designed to steward the environment.
“OCWR is honored to enroll in the US Composting Council Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) certification program,” said Tom Koutroulis, director of OCWR. “STA certification provides residents the confidence and knowledge of what is in the compost and how it is produced, assuring a quality product that is great for their gardens.”
NC State University’s Compost Learning Lab and The JC Raulston Arboretum are excited to host the 21st annual Vermiculture Conference on October 22-23, 2022.
This two-day, in-person and online event focuses on mid-to large-scale vermicomposting for businesses, farms, institutions and municipalities. This event provides the knowledge needed to start or expand an earthworm or vermicompost production operation. It also addresses key issues for vermicomposting operations in addition to how vermicompost effects plant growth and suppresses plant pests and diseases.
MKB Company, LLC, a pioneer in stormwater innovation, announced that it has acquired Filtrexx International, a national leader in sustainable sediment and erosion control solutions, from Mativ Holdings, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of specialty materials. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The acquisition comes as environmental regulations established to protect and preserve the environment and waterways are becoming increasingly more stringent. For years, MKB and Filtrexx have worked separately to create products and services, as well as educate the industry on the most effective and durable stormwater BMPs in the market. The unification of the two organizations will combine both company’s product lines to bring the best erosion and stormwater control product offerings to the industry nationwide. Expanded resources, readily available products, extended reach, expanded manufacturing locations, and combined service are just a few benefits MKB and Filtrexx customers can expect with the acquisition.
OPPORTUNITIES, JOBS AND GRANTS
Get your hands on the latest in compost and sustainability jobs by taking a look at the job postings from our member organizations on our website. Plus, your membership gives you the benefit of posting jobs on our Career Center for free. It's easy, so why not take advantage of it?
How to post a job on the USCC website: Step 1: In your membership account go to Account Settings Step 2: Click Content & Features Step 3: Submit an Opening Have questions? Contact Gowri Sundaram at gsundaram@compostingcouncil.org. Do you enjoy working on a high-performing team and utilizing creative thinking and administrative skills Do you have over seven years of experience in administration and human resources? Are you interested in meaningful work providing administrative support for the HR department in an organization that is recognized for developing their employees and attracting highly qualified talent? If so, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency has an exciting opportunity for you as an administrative assistant II.
CREF NEWS
In July, the CREF Board of Trustees welcomed Kate Kurtz as its newest member. Kate is a soil scientist with nearly 20 years of experience working with compost, biosolids and other organics as tools to improve soil function, sequester carbon and support a circular food economy. She serves as the organics program lead for Seattle Public Utilities in addition to managing the Utility’s natural yard care programming and supporting green stormwater infrastructure projects.
Kate is filling the spot vacated by Tera Lewandowski, from Scotts Miracle-Gro. Tera stepped down after serving for a number of years and making a big impact on the Foundation’s work, particularly with the time and dedication she put into chairing the Standards & Practices Committee.
ICAW’s annual contests, one for picking the new poster design for 2023 and the other a video contest for younger children, ages 10 – 13, start on September 1, with both deadlines of November 1. The poster contest is open to anyone age 14 or older. Both contests are international and help to promote ICAW’s overall goal of building public awareness about organics recycling and the benefits of compost use. They both highlight the ICAW 2023 theme: For Healthier Soil, Healthier Food ... Compost!
For a second year, the 11th Hour Project has funded the CFTP to help to grow this project over the next several years. The CFTP is a collaboration between CREF and BSIbio Packaging Solutions/BÉSICS®. The CFTP is focused on (1) distributing an open-source field testing method for aerobic composting facilities, (2) empowering facilities to conduct testing with the same baseline products across operations to enable data comparison, and (3) publicly release disintegration results once sufficient, quality data has been collected to allow facilities to maintain anonymity. For more information on this program and how to participate, contact the program at hello@compostabletesting.org.
IN THE HEADLINESThe first ever full-borough composting program will collect yard waste and food scraps weekly, starting October 3, for all Queens residents. The new program will provide service to 2.2 million New Yorkers,. Additionally, the city will far surpass its prior goal of installing 100 new smart compost bins, with plans to install approximately 250 across all five boroughs.
The U.S. Composting Council (USCC) and the Compost Research & Education Foundation (CREF) recently launched a new industry-focused online learning management system, Compost University. The program provides an on-demand educational resource for USCC members and industry professionals looking to advance their continuing education objectives and earn continuing education credits. The curriculum is a combination of content from USCC and CREF training and education resources, such as conference talks, webinars, short classes and new longer advanced courses.
Upcoming Events
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With a household participation rate above 50% for organics, the city of Minneapolis (population 400,000) showcases how to successfully implement a composting program in a diverse urban setting. The program included residential and small-scale curb and alley collection where all customers pay for the program through their solid waste and recycling base fee, but they must sign up to get a cart to participate. Organics were collected weekly by City workers and contractors using semiautomated trucks with cart flippers. Collection crews checked every cart and left an educational tag with the uncollected cart if contamination was found in efforts to reduce contamination in future pickups. Contamination was kept to 1%, which was verified through sorting truckloads of organics.
Rebecca (Becca) Mitchell is a student at Vermont Law & Graduate School pursuing a Masters in Food and Agriculture Law and Policy. She is passionate about building a more just and sustainable food system, and she is eager to apply her studies and past professional experience through her internship with USCC. Most recently, she worked at Hunger Free Vermont as a program manager. Becca lives in northern Vermont with her partner and two rescue dogs and teaches yoga through a local studio.
The Texas Composting Council (TXCC) held its first in-person board meeting in July at the Texas Organic (JB Soules Foods) headquarters in Tyler, TX. The board is organizing its membership program and committees. Front row, from left:
