USCC has been working to support Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (DEIA) in the compost industry in various ways over the past two years. We support diverse communities, including BIPOC (Black, indigenous and people of color) and LGBTQ communities. We take these commitments seriously in all of our programs, including our annual conference.

 

Daytona, Florida, was preselected as the location for our East Coast rotation of the USCC’s Annual Conference several years ago, before current state policies were put in place. We are currently working on preselecting a state for our 2027 conference. We are maximizing our efforts to ensure that these state policy changes are not harmful to our BIPOC and LGBTQ attendees. With regard to our 2024 conference, USCC staff and the DEIA committee are actively working with the Daytona Beach Convention Center and Volusia County officials to provide an as-safe-as-possible environment.

Thank you to those that have stayed on top of the STA renewals for 2023 and 2024. We have automated the participant website listing link and certificate download. Going forward, any product that has completed all the steps of the renewals, including the invoice payment, will be published in the website and be able to download certificates. If a product renewal has not been done yet, there are a few days left to submit the contract for approval. Click here for renewal. Any questions or concerns, please reach out to Gowri Sundaram, STA Program Manager, at sta@compostingcouncil.org

 

Submit the contract before Friday 7.14.23 (today) for administrative processing, avoiding late fee. 

Join us for an engaging webinar on Tuesday, July 25 at 2:00 p.m. ET, as our panel of experts from the community and commercial composting sectors addresses the opportunities and challenges faced by community composters. This webinar is specifically designed for young professionals who are eager to collaborate with commercial-scale compost manufacturers and explore growth opportunities in their communities. Our panelists, Michael Martinez, from LA Compost, Andy Brooks, from the Bootstrap Compost, and Justin Green, from Big Reuse, will share their valuable insights, discuss challenges and obstacles and present successful growth stories from their respective organizations. Starting with a comparison of running smaller operations to commercial-scale ventures, our speakers will shed light on the logistics involved and provide advice on how to navigate the path towards expansion. Don't miss this opportunity to gain invaluable knowledge and move forward in your composting journey. Register now and be part of this exciting webinar!

“I am William Dickey, 27 years old and currently working as the Onsite Operations Supervisor for CompostNow Atlanta. I was born and raised in the Atlanta area and currently pursuing a degree in environmental economics and management from the College of Agriculture at the University of Georgia. I’ve worked in composting for about 5 years — 4 1/2 with CompostNow doing just about every operational position possible and a half a year before that mixing compost for a landscaping company.

 

I chose to pursue a professional credential through the USCC because I know how much potential the composting business has. I knew it would be good to get a certification to prove that I know my stuff. Apart from that, I love everything that the USCC is doing to help professionalize and standardize the composting industry.”

USCC members in states where we are targeting senators who can influence upcoming PFAS legislation have responded wonderfully by quickly sending letters asking for consideration for exemption from CERCLA legislation to be added to a Senate bill in draft that is targeting research, reporting and mitigation of PFAS. Members have asked Sen. Alex Padilla (CA), Sen. John Fetterman (PA), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (MI), Sen. Mark Kelly (AZ) and Sen. Tom Carper (DE) to consider the fate of compost facilities if we are included as potential liable parties for cleanup costs. Although some have claimed we need not worry because US EPA will use “discretionary authority” to choose not to prosecute compost manufacturers where PFAS is found near facilities or in product, it doesn’t codify it in law.

Compost training and education is important to our industry. The US Composting Council (USCC) wants to meet you, our members, where you are and provide versatility at any stage of your composting career. Knowledge is power, and we give you the tools to thrive in our growing industry. Many people ask us, “What’s next after hands-on training?" 
 
• Consider USCC Certification. If you work AT a facility, becoming a Certified Compost Operations Manager™ (CCOM™) would be for you. Do you work WITH composting facilities? Then a good next step is becoming a Certified Composting Professional™ (CCP™)
• Continue Learning through Compost University™. With over 160 courses from beginner to advanced in 14 topic areas, including composting technologies, diversion and science, you can earn continuing education credits and put your credits towards being a Compost Scholar!
• Utilize the USCC Career Center, a powerful tool for employers AND jobseekers, featuring jobs, career advice and resume-building exclusive to the compost industry.
 
We all need to be better composters — are you ready to take the next step? Contact Teri Sorg-McManamon at tsmcmanamon@compostingcouncil.org to discuss your options, and visit USCC Professional Development at https://www.compostingcouncil.org/page/ProfessionalDevelopment.

The demand for medium and coarse-grade compost is increasing in the state of California; much of this is in response to Caltrans and other environmental application requirements. Traditional markets for medium-grade compost, such as landscape mulch and erosion/sediment control media, have significantly expanded, as have emerging markets such as bioretention "low-float" mulch. Further, the desire to obtain less combustible mulches may also expand application for medium-grade composts. That’s where California composters come in, as demand is far outstripping supply. The US Composting Council would like to invite you to join us for a webinar and panel discussion featuring Ron Alexander, R.Alexander Associates Inc; Scott Dowlan, Caltrans; and Ken Murray, Caltrans. Our panelists will discuss best practices in producing a medium/coarse-compost product, as well as growing markets, specifications. success stories, current usage and growing demand within Caltrans.

Northern Recycling, LLC is currently seeking a Compost Operations Manager to join our Operations Team. We are seeking a candidate with experience and knowledge managing all aspects of composting operations, including but not limited to organics pre- and post-processing, daily material processing, supervision of employees, maintaining safety standards and compliance with environmental and governmental regulations.

This position will assist the Resource Manager, General Manager and Site Foreman with overseeing all aspects of the compost facility located at the Yolo County Central Landfill (YCCL). This includes two on-site compost facilities: compost facility 1 (CF1), which consists of an anerobic digester, and compost facility 2 (CF2), which is a recently developed state-of-the-art covered aerated static pile (CASP) facility. The primary role of this position is to manage the day-to-day operations at CF1 and CF2, including supervision of the compost equipment operators, and to ensure material is being processed efficiently and to all operating best-management practices (BMPs). The Compost Operations Manager may also assist with maintaining compliance with environmental regulatory standards and interacting with regulatory bodies, including but not limited to the Yolo Solano Air Quality Management District (YSAQMD), the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB), CalRecycle and the Yolo County Local Enforcement Agency (LEA). This position will provide support to the Resource Manager and General Manager and may be given additional tasks, projects and responsibilities.

The CREF Board of Trustees have chosen the winning students to receive a scholarship for the 2023/2024 school year. These scholarships fund university and college students to assist them with their compost-related research projects. It was a hard decision choosing just two students, since CREF received many worthwhile applications. Each student will receive a scholarship worth $4,000 and will also be invited to present their findings at a future USCC annual conference during the CREF Research Track. These scholarships are funded by a number of companies, organizations and individuals. The CREF Board of Trustees want to thank each sponsor for their generous support.

CREF is offering a webinar this summer: How Compost Helps Address Climate Challenges: Drought and Fire Remediation.  It will be held on August 29th at 2pm (ET).  During this webinar, Dr. David Crohn and Dr. Craig Kolodge, will be discussing different ways that compost can serve as a vital tool to help with the recovery from wildfires and cultivate drought-resilient soils.  Learn more or register for this webinar HERE

There are just a few openings left to join the upcoming COTC in New Jersey starting July 31st.  Learn more HERE.

By: Waste Advantage Magazine

Sunshine Organics and Compost, LLC, the first commercial food waste composting facility in Duval County, announces that it has been awarded a $4.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP) to become a state-of-the-art facility with efficient equipment and a delivery service to serve more farmers.