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 From the Top of the Pile
We are thrilled to announce an exciting collaboration between the US Composting Council (USCC) and the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). This partnership marks a significant step towards increasing education and awareness of compost within the landscape architect space. The dedication of the USCC's Market Development Committee and USCC Staff have been instrumental in making this collaboration possible.
The USCC's involvement with ASLA will begin with our participation in an ASLA online continuing education event. During this event, we will shed light on compost standards and the fundamentals of compost specification. This webinar aims to provide landscape architects with the knowledge and tools they need to incorporate compost effectively into their projects. We believe this educational opportunity will contribute to the broader mission of the USCC, advancing compost manufacturing, compost utilization, and organics recycling to benefit our members, society, and the environment.
USCC NEWS
The USCC last week released guidelines that will become model legislation for compostable product labeling for use by legislators for bills on compostable use, to combat compostable product lookalikes and increase consumer clarity. USCC partnered with BPI in developing a task force that met last year to find consensus on labeling, including Compost Manufacturing Alliance, composters and members from the compostable products community.
The principles were developed after months of consensus-building by a task force composed of both organizations’ members, including compostable product-makers, certifiers, municipal leaders, allied members of USCC, and compost manufacturers. Task Force members agreed that products should be labeled with distinguishing elements including tinting and striping and the use of certification logos, while non-compostable items should be prohibited from using identical labeling and misleading terminology. Additionally, all compostable items should be defined by required lab testing and are encouraged to consider field testing.
“The Compostable Labeling Task Force debated how best to communicate to policymakers the challenges involved in ensuring compostable products make it to compost manufacturers, are easily identifiable, and break down in compost facilities,” said Frank Franciosi, executive director of the US Composting Council. “Having representative voices at the table ensured that the principles reflect the real-world conditions and the business choices facing compost manufacturers. We hope product manufacturers, brands and regulators will quickly and voluntarily adopt these principles.”
Through its procedural and compliance measures, the USCC Seal of Testing Assurance Program provides nationwide standards for compost testing and reporting that provide compost users with the clarity and confidence necessary to accurately specify compost applications. The STA program is the culmination of years of research and discussion by many of the leading compost research scientists in the United States. This webinar will delve into the historical background of the Test Methods for the Evaluation of Compost & Composting (TMECC), the STA program, the CAP Program and the research underpinning their development. In addition, this webinar will dive into how STA participants can leverage the data provided on a Compost Technical Data Sheet (CTDS) and the confidence instilled through programmatic measures, to address various compost end users and target markets.
The USCC’s 3rd Annual DEI Town hall will be held on Oct. 17 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET. Let’s compost together. My way, your way, our way. Learn about current and future initiatives to make the compost industry more diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible. Come with questions and suggestions. All are welcome! USCC membership is not required to attend.
Apply to participate in the Microbusiness innovation Corner!
To allow Seal of Testing Assurance Program (STA) participants to access their data in a more robust way, the USCC launched the STA Gateway portal in 2021. Followed by renewals, our next module is the New Product Participation Module! We have moved away from our old processes to submit new Seal of Testing Assurance product applications.This easy and robust application system is exclusively for the Seal of Testing Assurance program.
Current participants will find it easier to apply for new products and derivatives. First-timers can use the toolset to create company records and access the Gateway’s comprehensive range of tools.
ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC POLICY BRIEFS
The US Composting Council participated in a lunch & learn panel as part of the Colorado Producer Responsibility Advisory Board Meeting in Denver on Oct. 11. The role of the board is to advise the Colorado Producer Responsibility Organization through the “needs assessment” process, while preparing to implement the Colorado Extended Producer Responsibility program. The objective of the meeting was to provide the board with a deeper understanding of compostable products and packaging and how to responsibly incorporate them into the CO EPR program.
The USCC’s Matt Ball joined the panel, which included representation from compostable product certifiers (BPI and CMA), producers (Eco-Products and Amy’s Kitchen) and generator (Denver International Airport). Each presented from their own perspective on the importance of the inclusion of organics in the CO EPR Program, as well as any concerns and best practices that may be recommended when working to successfully address the end life of compostable products.
STATE CHAPTER NEWS
Come see presentation on the state of composting in Tennessee, network with other industry members and learn how you can advance composting in your own community.
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023
WHERE: Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee; 3421 Belmont Blvd. Nashville, TN 37215 TIME: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. COST: $50 per person
MEMBER NEWS
Rotochopper hosted 120 customers and prospects from across North America for their 10th Demo Day event. Attendees and Rotochopper employees were excited for the return of Demo Day and the opportunity to gather with industry professionals while seeing Rotochopper’s newest equipment in action at Rotochopper customer Herman’s Landscape Supplies in Jordan, MN.
Many clients share how challenging it is to efficiently remove contaminants from compost and achieve a more refined product. Hazardous materials (glass, blue gloves, non-compostable "lookalikes") make their way into compost streams and create nightmares for composters. Our company, eFACTOR3 is excited to invite you to a special composting demo event hosted at the Compost Central Recycling Center in Mecklenburg County. You can experience firsthand a mobile Spaleck screen and a mobile Westeria wind sifter. These machines are significantly lowering contamination rates, and we are excited to offer you a live demonstration of this waste separation technology!
After the demo, we invite you to join us for a reception at the eFACTOR3 headquarters. We'll be serving refreshments and offering a guided tour of our facility.
For over a decade, Komptech Americas has been a leading name in the waste and recycling industry. But as of August 2023, the company decided to expand its product offerings under the new name of Viably.
“While the switch to Viably expands our ability to solve problems for clients, the things that are most important for our Komptech customers will remain unchanged,” promises Viably President Brandon Lapsys, who has been with Komptech Americas since 2008. “Our leadership hasn’t changed, and all the dedicated and experienced people our customers count on are still here.”
Packing Insights | Oct. 10, 2023
Novolex brand Eco-Products has unveiled a program to help foodservice operators keep non-compostable items out of organic streams. The program, Controls Intended to Remove Contamination (CIRC), will verify that restaurants and other operators are taking important steps to prevent non-compostable materials from being sent to composting facilities. While food scraps, yard trimmings and certified compostable packaging can be composted in the U.S., anything else creates “serious problems” for composters.
OPPORTUNITIES, JOBS AND GRANTS
The Environmental Manager of Facility Compliance is responsible for the environmental compliance program for Denali owned, leased, and operated facilities. The environmental compliance program works in partnership with facility and hauling operations to maintain Denali’s environmental goals and objectives, particularly with respect to repurposing organic waste to replenish the earth.
CREF NEWS
Recently, the CREF Board of Trustees and staff met in Chicago to create the Foundation’s first strategic plan. The trustees took the time to meet and share their insightful ideas and experience, exemplifying what an amazing group of dedicated volunteers they are. Wendy Scott, from Wendy Scott & Associates, Inc., did a great job leading the all-day meeting. Her skilled guidance helped us generate a focused list of steps needed to move the CREF strategic plan to the next level. This is a crucial milestone to ensure that CREF continues to grow and thrive in the years ahead. IN THE HEADLINES
Waste Today Magazine
Posted by Bob Gaetjens | Oct. 06, 2023 The US Composting Council (USCC), Raleigh, North Carolina, and New York City-based Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) have released a set of guiding principles to inform model legislation for labeling compostable products.
The principles were developed after months of consensus-building by a task force comprised of both organizations’ members, including compostable product-makers, certifiers, municipal leaders, allied members of USCC and compost manufacturers.
Greenroofs.com
Posted by Aramis Velazquez | Oct. 12, 2023 In this webinar, USCC staff and a panel of industry experts will delve into the historical origins of Test Methods for the Evaluation of Compost & Composting (TMECC), the Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) program, and the foundational research driving their development. The presenters will shed light on the Compost Analysis Proficiency (CAP) Program, tasked with overseeing the quality of participating laboratories. Furthermore, they will furnish practical, real-world examples of compost end-use specifications, illustrating its efficacy in enhancing soils within their natural context by adhering to these well-established standards. A comprehensive review will be provided on the methods and terminology employed when specifying the application of compost for on-site soil improvement.
Upcoming Events
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The USCC is committed to growing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) within the organization and throughout the compost industry by institutionalizing DEIA in our operations and initiatives. The USCC has been taking strides towards achieving this for the past three years in multitude capacities—from board level to membership. Microbusiness Innovation Corner is yet another step taken as an inclusion measure by supporting and encouraging small businesses. This venture is geared towards promoting these businesses by giving them a greater visibility at the industry’s exclusive compost conference.
The Compost Quality Spectrum
