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 From the Top of the Pile
At the annual awards ceremony two weeks ago, it was my pleasure to present Mr. Cary Oshins with the USCC Distinguished Service Award. In April of this year, Mr. Oshins will be stepping down from his roles at the USCC and CREF. This moment was bittersweet as I, and all the rest of us, recognized the enormous impact Mr. Oshins has had on our industry. At one point, Matt Cotton asked anyone in the room to raise their hand if they had learned from Cary in some capacity, and easily half of the 700 people in attendance at the closing ceremony stood up. Through the Compost Research and Education Foundation’s (CREF) countless compost operations training courses (COTC’s), the industry has benefited from the patience and expertise Cary has brought to the table. As the compost manufacturing industry has evolved over the decade, so has its needs. One thing that has not changed is the need for in-person training. Cary Oshins was instrumental in drafting, rewriting, adapting, and modifying the coursework so that we all now know that getting your hands dirty and building a pile with your peers is essential in solidifying what happens in the coursework. It is because of the history of his dedication to the industry and his love for teaching that the Compost Research and Education Foundation has launched the Cary Oshins Training Scholarship. Please join us in honoring one of our industry's best teachers with your gift of education to others. At this year’s awards ceremony, we were able to collect some stories from people who have worked with him over the years. Please take five minutes to hear from these folks in the video below, and tune in the coming months when we are able to share Cary’s farewell speech. Cary, my dear friend, happy retirement. You will be missed!!
USCC NEWS USCC was once again part of the development of C.O.M.P.O.S.T., the Cultivating Organic Matter through the Promotion of Sustainable Techniques, which provides $200 million annually for ten years, if passed by the 118th Congress.
Rep. Julia Brownley D-CA and cosponsors, Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-ME; Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH), Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) are advocating for grants limited to $5 million for non profits/governments and loans limited to $5 million for private sector applicants for “hardware” infrastructure development to be available again these items...
 During their annual conference (COMPOST2023 held in Ontario, California), the US Composting Council recognized a number of different organizations including a Southern California curbside recycling program raising awareness around composting issues, the only residential food scrap composting infrastructure in Northern Colorado, an upstate New York municipality, and a Santa Cruz program cultivating garden-based education at its prestigious annual awards program.
Certified Compost Operations Manager Spotlight: DAVID TIEU, PE, MSCE, QISP, QSD/P, CCOMTM
ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC POLICY BRIEFS
In a much-sought after partnership, the Ohio Organics Council, USCC’s Ohio Chapter, stepped forward last fall to volunteer to focus on educating planners and policymakers in the state to expand compost zoning there.
The hoped-for outcomes are as follows:
• Expansion of composting through adoption of a zoning ordinance change inspired by USCC’s model template in a likely county or municipality in Ohio
• A scoping and inventory of likely industrial/agricultural land through Geographic Information Systems and working with state economic development experts for future potential compost zoning changes • An easy "steps to adding compost zoning” document for advocates, planners and policymakers around the country to use in seeking zoning for composting
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Professional development is critical for the USCC – and for good reason – continuing education and certification not only helps career paths, it also provides the composting industry with knowledgeable and committed professionals who strengthen and build the business of composting.
The USCC Certification Commission recently collaborated with the Young Professionals Group for a combined breakfast at COMPOST2023. (Learn more about the success of our breakfast in the YP section of this newsletter.) Current Certified Compost Operations Managers, Certified Composting Professionals, and young professionals connected to hear about the certification and learning opportunities offered by the US Composting Council.
The mission of the USCC Certification Commission is to develop and administer national, valid, credible, vendor neutral certification programs for organics recycling facility management which, in turn, benefits the community’s business and environmental outcomes. We greatly appreciate the USCC Young Professionals Group taking the time to learn the benefits of CCOM™ and CCP™ and consider their journey for lifelong career success.
Invest in your professional development through USCC Certification – to learn more and start your application: www.certificationsuscc.org.
COMPOST USE
At the US Composting Council, we focus on making compost through the controlled aerobic, biological decomposition of biodegradable materials. Whether it’s in a backyard, or a permitted facility, fulfilling the chemical and physical requirements to promote aerobic decomposition is paramount to success.
However, other methods of composting exist that when paired with the thermophilic composting process, will also produce stable organic matter that’s teaming with biology.
Vermicomposting uses worms to recycle food scraps, manure and other organic material into a valuable soil amendment called vermicompost. However, feeding worms an unprocessed organic feedstock can be detrimental to the process, potentially introducing pathogens and generating higher temperatures as the feedstock breaks down, which can harm the worms. Thermophilically pre-composting the feedstock prior to feeding it to the worms can mitigate these issues and improve the speed, efficiency, and output volume of the vermicomposting process.
STATE CHAPTER NEWSMember BenefitsThe USCC publishes the compost communicator every month. With Industry news, advocacy updates, program information, and member news we strive to keep the industry informed and engaged. As a part of this newsletter we have the Member News section. In this section we seek to highlight all of the wonderful work that our members do around the country. Please share any updates you have with Eric Hudiburg at ehudiburg@compostingcouncil.org and we will share it with the almost 2000 individuals who receive this every month. Please share content like: press releases, awards and honors, and placement in publications. Content related entirely to selling products will not be included.
Each month the newsletter will go out on the second friday of the month. Please share content with staff one week in advance of the publication date. To assist in this please see the publication schedule by clicking learn more.
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Coryanne Mansell is the Client Services Strategist at the Center for EcoTechnology (CET) and is the current chair of the USCC Young Professional (YP) Group's Steering Committee. At CET, she helped the nonprofit launch their Wasted Food Solutions website and services available to states, cities, and businesses across the US. Coryanne participated as speaker at the Diversion and Collection Track during COMPOST2023, and she is pictured here holding her puppy, Pepper.
In her role as chair, Coryanne provides guidance to colleague YP leaders in many areas, promoting cooperation and organized communication among committee members and the larger industry.
Each year, the USCC Young Professionals Group members organize a local community service event in conjunction with the COMPOST conference.
On Tuesday, January 24, the YP Volunteer Project Committee led a group of COMPOST2023 participants to Huerta del Valle, an Ontario, CA community garden working toward sustainable community empowerment and health: creating meaningful work, building lasting skills and developing strong relationships within the region.
For the first time ever, the USCC Certification Commissioners and the Young Professionals co-hosted a breakfast meeting on the morning of Thursday, January 26 at COMPOST2023. The event, titled Certification Commissioners, Young Professionals and YOU, a Professional Development Breakfast, connected prospective industry-certified young professionals and industry-certified mentors.
“Combining the Young Professionals (YP) group with the Certification Commission and those individuals already certified or considering certification in the composting industry was a perfect match,” Teri Sorg-McManamon, USCC Director of Professional Development said.
This year’s top three winners of the YP Emerging Composter Competition were announced during the USCC Annual Awards Ceremony at COMPOST2023. Ten qualifying finalists created posters to be displayed in the USCC & CREF Networking Lounge in the Tradeshow Hall, where attendees were able to view the posters, scan QR codes to watch videos about the projects and vote for the favorites through the COMPOST2023 Mobile App. The winners are evaluated based on attendee votes and a scoring system from expert judges.
 An estimated 150 guests gathered for the Young Professionals Happy Hour and Networking Night at Punch Bowl Social Rancho Cucamonga, on the evening of Thursday, January 26, 2023. The event, which was sponsored by Republic Services for the second year, is one of the most popular networking events at the USCC Annual Conference and Tradeshow. The YP Happy Hour represents an opportunity for conference attendees to reconnect with colleagues and create new connections that move the industry forward.
Interested in connecting with young professionals in the compost industry and learning more about how you can be involved with the USCC? Join us on March 2, 2023 at 7 p.m. EST over Zoom.
Fill out the RSVP form to receive a Zoom link on your email and add the YP Happy Hour to your calendar.This is a recurring event on the first Thursday of every month.
To learn about future events and receive reminders, join the USCC Young Professionals Slack Channel.
MEMBER NEWSFoster Environmental Ltd. from Ireland is conducting a study looking at plastics in food waste. Details on the project can be found here. This research project is funded by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency.
One element of the study is to seek feedback from plant managers (not technology providers) on the efficiency of technologies in removing contamination from unprocessed feedstocks and the final compost or digestate. The survey is technology brand neutral, and we welcome your practical experience on efficiencies in removing contamination The aim of this survey is to provide guidance overall to compost and biogas plant managers on what the technique trends are being employed by plant managers around the world that work best to remove contamination from feedstocks and from compost and digestate.
CREF NEWS
CREF received a very generous donation from Noel and Judy Lyons, from McGill Compost, in support of the work the Foundation does for the compost industry. This is a three-year gift that will allow CREF to both grow its current projects and develop new ones. What makes this donation even more meaningful is that the 2023 donation is in memory of Lynn McCracken Lucas. Lynn was the first hired McGill employee back in 1991. Throughout her career, she worked tirelessly to promote composting from behind the scenes. Lynn also had a major role in the development of McGill facilities. She worked for McGill for 25 years. The CREF Board of Trustees and staff would like to thank Noel and Judy Lyons for their generous gift to the Foundation.
With Cary Oshins’ upcoming retirement, and in recognition of all he has done to grow and support compost education, the Foundation has launched a new scholarship in his name. The Cary Oshins’ Training Scholarship will be used to give financial assistance to people wanting to attend a Compost Operations Training Course (COTC). Attendance of these 5-day, onsite trainings can be a financial barrier for some. The plan is to raise enough money to offer scholarships for each of the COTCs offered throughout the year. Thank Cary for all he has done for the industry by making a donation today to this new scholarship. Donate Here
CREF is again offering scholarships to undergraduate through Ph.D. students studying at a college or university in the US and doing a compost-related research project. The scholarship is for $4,000 and includes an invitation to present research findings at a US Composting Council Annual Conference during a CREF research session.
IN THE HEADLINESUpcoming Events
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David Tieu is a member of OC Waste & Recycling’s executive management team and is responsible for overseeing central Orange County’s solid waste operations, which includes the active Bowerman Landfill and Bee Canyon Greenery. Since 2018, David has spearheaded the organics initiative efforts at OC Waste & Recycling to comply with California’s SB 1383 and is responsible for overseeing the facility design, permitting, construction and facility operations for three organic composting facilities. He holds a B.S. degree in Geological Sciences from Virginia Tech and earned his master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Cal State Long Beach. He is a registered professional engineer in the state of California. His experience and knowledge base spans nearly 23 years in civil engineering, storm water, air quality, federal and state solid waste and recycling laws and more. He has served as a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Infrastructure Committee that develops the Orange County and Statewide Infrastructure Report Cards. Prior to joining OC Waste & Recycling in 2005, David worked for the county’s health care agency and served on the Solid Waste Local Enforcement Agency where he was responsible for permitting, inspecting, and enforcement of solid waste facilities in Orange County. David is proud to be a member of the US Composting Council. He became a Certified Compost Operations ManagerTM in January 2023. 
