 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Past Issues | Subscribe | Send to a Friend | compostingcouncil.org | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 From the Top of the Pile
By Frank Franciosi, Executive Director
Gowri Sundaram, Database Manager at US Composting Council (USCC), bids us farewell as she embarks on a new journey, returning to teaching and actively participating in the formation of a new state chapter of the US Composting Council. Gowri was instrumental in developing the Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) Gateway, managing the STA Program, shaping the COMPOST2024 speaking program, and championing the USCC's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access Program. Gowri also served as the staff liaison for the Young Professionals, STA Advisory, Conference Planning, and DEIA Committees. Her impact is coded into the data of the USCC. I would like to thank Gowri Sundaram who dedicated so much time and effort to our organization. As a young professional, staff member, and now former staff member I am grateful for her as a coworker and friend. We all wish her the best and continued success in her next career move.
In my now almost eighth year as Executive Director of the USCC, I am so proud to see a staff of eight individuals from diverse backgrounds coming together to achieve our strategic goals. This past week all eight of the current USCC staff were able to come together in Raleigh and plan for COMPOST2024. With our capacity growing to match the growth in the industry I am proud of the work we have done to get here. The future is bright for the compost industry, and this team is poised to take the next major step in our strategic plan.
USCC NEWS COMPOST2024 is gearing up to be our most dynamic conference yet, featuring eight specialized tracks with a total of 108 speakers and panelists. Explore a diverse range of topics in the following tracks: Operations Track, Business Track, Marketing and Use Track, Advocacy/Policy Track, Florida Track, State Chapter Track, CREF's Research Track and the Compostable Products Track.
 Members always get special pricing at our Standard Rate until Feb. 5, 2024. Additional discounts are available for students, government employees, and Florida residents. Check out our special accommodations page on www.Compostconference.com to apply for these special promotions.
The conference spans four days:
Feb. 6 – Workshops and Tours (NOTE: The Compost Facility Tour is Sold Out)
Feb. 7 – Three concurrent sessions, Opening Plenary, and Exhibit Hall Opening
Feb. 8 – Three concurrent sessions, Closing Plenary & Awards Ceremony, and Exhibit Hall
Feb. 9 – Equipment Show and Demonstrations (aka Demo Day) at the Tomoka Landfill
Register Today! We'll see you in Florida!
The COMPOST2024 Tradeshow Exhibit Hall in Daytona Beach, Florida has officially sold out, marking a record for organizers and exhibitors alike. This milestone underscores the growing interest and importance of composting and sustainable practices in today's world. Exhibitors from diverse sectors, including waste management, agriculture, and technology, have seized the opportunity to present cutting-edge composting solutions from state-of-the-art equipment. COMPOST2025 exhibitor registration will be launched at COMPOST2024. If you wish to be among the first to hear about exhibit space, please sign up for the mailing list.
ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC POLICY BRIEFS
Made up of members Ron Alexander (Alexander & Associates), Nora Goldstein (BioCycle), Elsa Higby (OHOC), Matt Karmel (Offit Kurman), Kelly Schoonmaker (Stop Waste/Alameda County) and (Scott Smithline (Mill), the group has been devising strategies with USCC that involve both education and potential legal remedies. Ron Alexander has already written articles like this one to raise awareness. These strategies are heavily grounded in the official definition of compost codified in 2018 by the Association of American Food and Plant Control Officials (the group of state officials in charge of labelling regulations for food and plant products nationwide). This definition requires thermophilic and mesophilic stages of compost as well as stabilization. See the definition here. We will be providing more detail about this issue and our plan at the Member Meeting on Feb. 6, 2024 at COMPOST2024. Watch for a web page coming soon.
Unfortunately, that grantor was unable to provide this funding this year, so we are raising funds from contributors such as the North Carolina Composting Council and Better Earth, who are DEIA supporters and contributors to the cause. We have had some individual donations but would like to raise an at least $2,000 more by Dec. 15 to support four full scholarships. Click here to read more about our fundraising efforts, and DONATE NOW if you can help! The 2023 National Recycling Congress will be postponed to the first quarter of 2024. After consideration and deliberation, the planning committee determined that rescheduling the event is in the best interest of attendees, sponsors, and speakers. While National Recycling Congress registration numbers have been growing, they are not at the desired level.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Professional development is critical to the USCC, and for good reason. Continuing education and certification not only helps your career path, it also provides the composting industry with knowledgeable and committed professionals who strengthen and build the business of composting.DID YOU KNOW?! The USCC offers a Compost Scholars Program (CSP). This program is different from the USCC’s Professional Credentials Programs, CCOM® and CCP®, who already need to earn credits to stay certified. When you establish a seat in Compost University® and complete your first course, you will be enrolled as a “Learner.” You will then be able to earn Continuing Education Credits (CECs) for every course you complete in Compost U®.
Top “Learners” will be recognized at the Annual Awards Ceremony at the USCC Annual Conference and Tradeshow. Consider your education needs, visit www.CompostU.net, take a few courses, and start earning CSP credits!
Professional development is well worth your time. Turn to the programs of the USCC to help you deepen your industry commitment and job satisfaction, and become a USCC Top Learner!
COMPOST USEA
 s of December 2024, 46 U.S. states (including US Territories of PR and VI) have adopted Soil Carbon Amendment Conservation Practice Standard Code 336. This means landowners in participating states may utilize compost and biochar applications to remedy identified resource concerns on their property as a part of the NRCS Conservation Planning process. Landowners that participate in NRCS conservation planning are then eligible to receive financial assistance through conservation programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), to support implementation of conservation practices like CPS 336.For compost manufacturers, state adoption of CPS 336 represents an opportunity to sell more compost into agriculture and working lands. The US Composting Council has resources available for composters to educate themselves on the NRCS Conservation Planning Process and in turn, educate their customers about this opportunity. Please visit the USCC NRCS Code 336 Resource Hub for more information, including a recording of our April Webinar: NRCS 336: Selling More Compost to Farmers.
STATE CHAPTER NEWS
Leaders of USCC’s 16 state affiliate chapters, as well as chapter leaders who are under development, will come together for their third year of formal training in Daytona, FL to learn how to deal with chapter legal issues, success in regulatory and legislative development, and discussion of collaboration with the Compost Research and Education Foundation.
The daylong event will take place on Thursday, Feb. 8 and is open to all chapter leaders and leaders of state groups that are considering becoming USCC chapters.
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Did you know that volunteering at COMPOST2024 entitles you to full admission to all conference sessions and the equipment show?! Positions are limited and volunteer openings are expected to fill out by the end of this month. If you are a Young Professional looking for ways to offset registration costs, we recommend submitting your volunteer application at your earliest convenience.
You can learn more and apply here: https://compostconference.com/Volunteer/
Get ready for innovation at COMPOST2024! The US Composting Council announces the Microbusiness Innovation Corner, offering a dynamic space for small composting businesses to shine. Sponsored by WeRadiate and Tawa Compost, this initiative supports diversity, equity, and inclusion in the industry, providing a platform for entrepreneurs with cutting-edge ideas and pioneering spirit. Up to six entities will be chosen for this first year.
Whether for your business, organization, community, or yourself, we want to know your new year's compost-related resolutions! Are there ways you're considering to reduce food waste and increase composting? The Drink of the Month is Dalgona, a whipped coffee drink which originated in Macau. You can view the recipe by clicking here.
 The USCC YP Slack now has more channels to support members, share outreach resources, post questions and respond to colleagues on technical topics, and share upcoming events. Are you a part of Slack but not a part of these new channels? Go to the “description” of the #general channel and click on #outreach-resources, #events, and # technical-topics.You can join the conversation by clicking the link here.
MEMBER NEWS
MKB Company, LLC and Silt Sock Inc. are proud to announce an agreement has been reached to merge their respective companies by the end of the year. MKB Company and Silt Sock have worked collaboratively for years, and this merger will allow both companies to better serve their customers by offering additional manufacturing and distribution locations and a wider variety of product offerings.
The combined companies will operate under the MKB Company name with the Silt Sock brand continuing to operate as a division of MKB Company. Rob Misso, CEO of MKB Company, expressed his excitement about the acquisition of Silt Sock, stating that “It serves as a remarkable addition to our existing erosion and stormwater control offerings. The commitment of MKB Company to providing top-notch products to our regional and national distribution base is further strengthened by this expansion of geographic footprint and product offerings nationwide.”
EDGE Innovate is honored to be awarded “Technology of the Year” at the most recent MEWAR awards. Launched in 2018, the MEWAR Awards celebrates success for adopting best practices in the environmental management business. The fifth edition recognized outstanding individuals and organizations that have demonstrated leadership and innovation in their respective fields and have significantly contributed to environmental sustainability along with economic viability, ultimately contributing to a greener future.
Held on Nov. 9 at Waldrof Astoria in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, the evening brought together representatives from the waste management, recycling, packaging and other environmental industries. The awards saw tremendous participation with entries submitted by companies from throughout the Middle East and Europe. The awards were judged by a panel of prominent and respected experts, advocates, and spokespeople in the focus area of environmental sustainability.
On Nov. 28, 2023, NatureWorks, a leading manufacturer of polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymers made from renewable resources, announced the appointment of Erik Ripple as the company’s new President and Chief Executive Officer. Ripple will succeed interim President and CEO, Jill Zullo, who has served in the role since March 2023 when former CEO, Rich Altice, retired from NatureWorks.
Prior to NatureWorks, Ripple worked with Nexeon, Ltd. in the United Kingdom, a manufacturer of silicon carbide composites for electric vehicle batteries. As Chief Strategy Officer, he led the commercial, engineering, and program teams enabling the launch of their first commercial product to battery manufacturers.
 The Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA) is enacting a two-year strategic plan designed to engage all parts of the supply chain and solid waste system in a national Whole System Strategic Plan for Compostables. This is being anchored in CMA’s large network of compost manufacturing members and affiliates, with implementation using the Future Search model known globally. If you are a USCC member working to create a vision, starting place, or a collaborative and whole system-based approach to implementing acceptance of compostables in your region, please put FUTURE SEARCH in the subject line and email your questions/interest to info@composterapproved.com. CMA plans to conduct several informational webinars in response to interest, and we encourage compost facility owners; solid waste professionals in cities and hauling roles; and materials and compostable packaging designers, distributors, and manufactures to join. For an overview, please review the online program. CMA plans to host informational webinars for all interested parties. OPPORTUNITIES, JOBS AND GRANTS
The Process Technician is responsible for processing organic material into compost through monitoring of the environmental systems including temperature, oxygen, moisture, C:N ratio, bulk density and porosity. The Process Technician also is responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of compost testing and process equipment; and is accountable for the ongoing monitoring of such systems, working with Operations Management and Lead Operators to ensure that all work adheres to safety regulations, as well as federal and state requirements.
CREF NEWS
CREF will hold two, 90-minute webinars on the topic of composting human remains. The first webinar, Part 1: The Process & Its Challenges, is scheduled for Jan. 17 and will cover the composting side of the topic, from its evolution via animal mortality applications to unique considerations for the process. Click here to learn more and register for Part 1. The second webinar will focus on the business side—regulations, barriers, and potential challenges. Look for more details coming soon. In case you were unaware, the Compost Research & Education Foundation is a nonprofit, 501 (c)(3). That means fundraising is a big part of what CERF does every year. Fundraising is how CERF is able to run and grow all our programs and projects. When making your end-of-the-year charitable giving, we hope you will consider donating to CREF. We deeply appreciate all the generous support we receive from companies, organizations, and individuals. It really does make a huge impact. You can donate here.
 In October, CREF conducted our last COTC of 2023 in San Marcos, TX. The training’s 42 graduates came from seven U.S. states, one U.S. territory, and two other nations. Despite inclement weather (including a tornado warning) the course was a great success. The TX Composting Council and TX Commission on Environmental Quality gave presentations. The class visited TX State University’s compost operation, Bobcat Blend, and toured four San Antonio-area commercial facilities. On the tour, attendees sported new branded vests purchased through generous funding from Viably, one of the COTC’s national sponsors.Two attendees to the Texas course received Cary Oshins Training Scholarships.Tumar Tolkynkyzy traveled all the way from Kazakhstan, where she plans to launch the nation’s first compost facility; and Christopher Trullaz came from Durango, CO, where he serves as Operations Manager for Table to Farm Compost. They’re pictured here with Shawn Bruckman, our COTC facilitator. These scholarships are possible only through contributions from our community. if you’d like to help sustain these opportunities, please consider donating to the scholarship fund.
CREF also held COTCs in California, New Jersey, and North Carolina in 2023, with over 150 total graduates just this year. Interested in joining a COTC in 2024? We plan to announce new trainings in the coming weeks. Submit to our interest list to be among the first to know!
IN THE HEADLINESSource: USDA Press
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) jointly published for public comment the Draft National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics. The Strategy outlines targeted actions by USDA, EPA and FDA to prevent food loss and waste in order to mitigate the environmental repercussions of wasted food, including its impact on climate.
Source: Tom Scanlon, Scottsdale Progress
The city of Scottsdale, AZ is encouraging residents to cut down on waste this holiday season. “We need your help!” one city representative begged on social media. “Scottsdale is addressing the significant issue of food waste, which constitutes 40% of the United States’ annual waste of 66.2 million tons.”
When asked if composting would be part of city's first sustainability plan, Sustainability Director Lisa McNeilly said, “We anticipate including actions to reduce food waste in the Waste section of the plan,” she said.
Upcoming Events
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
A USCC Legislative and Environmental Affairs Committee subgroup has been meeting since spring about the increase in home kitchen-top dehydration units claiming to provide “compost” in a day. The units have proliferated e-commerce platforms in the past year, with the term “kitchen composter” in their product description.
USCC’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Committee added the word ACCESS to the traditional DEI acronym. Why? We are working hard to increase representation and access to USCC programs like COMPOST2024.
This year’s winner of the ICAW Poster Contest is Ny Rindra Arison Malalaniaina. Out of hundreds of entries from around the world (submissions were received from 76 different countries), her entry was chosen.
