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APPENDIX A -- THE COMPOSTING HANDBOOK

RESOURCES FOR COMPOSTING INDUSTRY -- TRADE ASSOCIATIONS, PERIODICALS, ETC.

Latest revision: December 20, 2021

This resource list will be regularly updated to introduce new resources, to add resources that have been thus-far overlooked, and to make revisions and corrections. If you have suggestions for additions or corrections, please email CREF at info@compostfoundation.org. Please type “TCH Appendix A” in the subject line of the email. Thank you.

 

Compost Organizations

INTERNATIONAL COMPOST ALLIANCE: International Compost Alliance

The International Compost Alliance was formed in December of 2021 by numerous national and regional organization. It is a voluntary partnership seeking to advance awareness and understanding of the benefits and use of compost on a global scale. As described in its news release (12/3/2021), “The Alliance looks to offer positive solutions for climate change mitigation, soil health and food security, building on years of working collaboration between organics recycling organizations. By pooling expertise and knowledge, the Alliance seeks to maximize the recycling of organic wastes and advance the manufacturing of certified, high-quality compost.”

AUSTRALIA: Australia Organics Recycling Industry (AORA)

The AORA is the main body representing organics processors and recyclers. OUR VISION: “Recycling and reuse of organic materials within a circular economy is widely understood and supported by Australians.” OUR MISSION AORA: “works with all stakeholders to facilitate an operating environment which maximizes the recycling and reuse of organic materials, and promotes the benefits of compost, soil conditioners and mulches across the Australian community and business.”

BRAZIL: Sao Paulo’s Strategy for Organic Waste Management

In Brazil, Latin America’s largest country in terms of population, the City of Sao Paulo is committed to recycle organics. In 2015, the city embarked on a journey towards separate collection of organics, thus enabling the production of high-quality compost.

CANADA: Compost Council of Canada (CCC)

The Compost Council of Canada (CCC) serves as the central resource and network for the organics recycling industry in Canada. The Council’s involvement in standard-setting and regulatory developments, operator training and certification, communication and networking help supports their charter to advocate and advance organics residuals recycling, digestate and compost use and assist their members to contribute to the environmental sustainability of the communities in which they operate.

CHINA: China Composting Network         中国堆肥网

The China Composting Network was founded in 2006 as a non-profit website dedicated to composting in China's solid waste treatment and providing supply and demand information for composting industrial products. The goal is to take the green road and create an ecological civilization!

堆肥网（www.chinacompost.net)创建于2006年，是一家专门针对我国固体废弃物处理中的堆肥化处理以及为堆肥工业产品提供供求信息的非盈利性网站。 宗旨是：走绿色道路，创生态文明！

IRELAND: Cré Compostable Certification Scheme

Established in 2001, Cré (which is the Irish word for ‘soil’), is a non-profit association of public and private organizations, dedicated to growing the biological treatment sector. Cré supports the production of high-quality outputs, assists the delivery of Government waste diversion and bioenergy targets, and promotes the creation of sustainable indigenous jobs.

EUROPE: European Compost Network (ECN)

The European Compost Network is the leading European membership organization promoting sustainable recycling practices in composting, anaerobic digestion and other biological treatment processes of organic resources. ECN represents more than 4,500 biological waste management plants in 27 European countries with a treatment capacity of more than 45 million tonnes per year.

NEW ZEALAND: WasteMiNZ

WasteMINZ is the largest representative body of the waste, resource recovery and contaminated land management sectors in New Zealand. Formed in 1989 it is a membership-based organization with over 1,500 members – from small operators through to councils and large companies. We are the authoritative voice on waste, resource recovery and contaminated land management issues in New Zealand and seek to achieve ongoing and positive development of our industry through strengthening relationships, facilitating collaboration, knowledge sharing and championing the implementation of best practice standards.

SOUTH AFRICA: Organics Recycling Association of South Africa

“The Organics Recycling Association of South Africa is an industry body representing the organic waste recycling industry. Our mission is to promote and expand the organics recycling market, support our members and champion the recycling of all organics through different mechanisms in South Africa.”

KOREA: Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association (KORRA)

KORRA is a membership organization based in South Korea, a country with a strong food waste conservation ethic. KORRA hosts conferences and disseminates research and scientific information through its journal (see below). Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association (KORRA)

USA: Compost Research and Education Foundation (CREF)

Established in 1992, the CREF is the only national organization in the United States dedicated to sound science and education in the composting industry. The CREF achieves this mission by encouraging, supporting, and performing compost-related research, including promoting best management practices, establishing test methods based on sound science, educating professionals and the public about the benefits of composting and compost utilization, and developing training materials for composters and markets for compost products. CREF donors include compost producers, marketers, equipment manufacturers, product suppliers, academic institutions, public agencies, nonprofits groups and consulting/engineering firms.

USA: U.S. Composting Council (USCC)

The USCC believes compost manufacturing and compost utilization are central to creatin healthy soils, clean air and water, a stable climate, and a sustainable society. The USCC advances compost manufacturing, compost utilization and organics recycling to benefit our members, society and the environment.

 

Authoritative Sources of Composting/Compost Information

African Circular Economy Network

Although the African Circular Economy Network is not about composting itself, the organizations interest in regenerative agriculture brings composting into its realm. Its website offers a wealth of information and contacts; some of which are relevant to composting and compost use, especially in developing economies.

Centre for Recycling of Organic Waste and Nutrients (CROWN)

The Centre for Recycling of Organic Waste and Nutrients (CROWN) was established in late 2017 as part of the University’s School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, enabled by seed funding from the Queensland Department of Environment and Science. The establishment of CROWN was prompted by the push to reduce and divert organic waste from landfill into agriculture and horticulture, the drive to find ways of value adding animal manures and reducing nitrogen losses in the manure supply chain, and the desire to improve resource use efficiency, maintain agricultural productivity, reduce negative environmental impacts and move towards a circular economy for organics.

Cornell Waste Management Institute (CWMI).

CWMI is a research and education program of the Soil and Crop Sciences Department in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell university. In addition to conducting research, CWMI serves as a clearinghouse for information about organic waste management with a strong program devoted to composting. CWMI has long been the source of composting advice and a center for research about composting animal mortalities and meat waste.

Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF)?

EREF is a non-profit organization that promotes sustainable waste management practices. EREF funds research, distributes information via data, reports, courses and other educational offerings. It also sponsors scholarships for students pursuing environmental and waste management studies. EREF’s projects and programs include composting and compost use.

Gaia (India)

GAIA aims to power a transition away from our current linear and extractive economy and towards a circular system that supports people’s right to a safe and healthy environment. This entails fighting pollution and building regenerative solutions in cities through local campaigns, shifts in policy and finance, research and communication initiatives, and movement building. We work on four primary points of intervention: incineration, zero waste, plastic, and climate.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

ICAR supports research and distributes information about composting and compost use, particularly as it related to agriculture. As described by its web site (https://www.icar.org.in/content/about-us), “The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. … The Council is the apex body for co-ordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country. With 111 ICAR institutes and 71 agricultural universities spread across the country this is one of the largest national agricultural systems in the world. … It has played a major role in promoting excellence in higher education in agriculture. It is engaged in cutting edge areas of science and technology development and its scientists are internationally acknowledged in their fields.”

Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR)

ISLR is “… a national research and advocacy organization that partners with allies across the country to build an American economy driven by local priorities and accountable to people and the planet.” (https://ilsr.org/about-the-institute-for-local-self-reliance/). The ILSR’s vision is of thriving, diverse, equitable communities. To reach this vision, we build local power to fight corporate control. ISLR’s activities strongly support composting and compost use, especially at the community level.

Organic Recycling Research Institute (Suzhou) of China Agricultural University (ORICAU)

ORICAU is dedicated on the technology research and development, transfer and services for the field of organic recycling and the entire ecological agricultural chain, including development of microbial inoculant, innovated process, new equipment, residue-based products and related international and national standards. The goal is to build a leading world renown research platform for the field of biological treatment of organic waste, and to set-up an important industrial cluster in the field of organic resource recycling in China.

WRAP -- Waste and Resources Action Programme

In 2014, WRAP transitioned from a not-for-profit organization to a charity; a charity that supports resource conservation and sustainability. Its activities include, but are not limited to, composting and waste management. WRAP is based in the UK but has a global reach. As WRAP states in its website, “We work with like-minded partners to cut waste, promote sustainability and share knowledge to change the planet for the better.” ( https://wrap.org.uk/what-we-do).

 

Periodicals, Newsletters and Other Compost-Concerned Media

BioCycle

Founded in 1960 by Jerome Goldstein as the journal, Compost Science, BioCycle is the go-to resource on organics collection, composting, organics recycling, anaerobic digestion and biogas, end product markets, policies and regulations, and community outreach and education. In January 2020, BioCycle transitioned from print to an e-newsletter, BioCycle CONNECT. All content in BioCycle dating back to 2004 is online at BioCycle.net.

Composting News

Composting News, founded in 1992, provides totally independent, unbiased coverage of the composting, wood recycling and organics management business. Being published by an independently owned small business. Composting News features the latest news and vital issues of concern to the producers, marketers and end-users of compost, mulch and other organic waste-based products.

The Daily Dump

The Daily Dump is sustainability-minded business venture in India that seeks to change attitudes and behavior, such that people think and act sustainably. Promoting composting is a major part of the company’s efforts. While the Daily Dump offers commercial products, its website offers a substantial amount of information and inspiration to do things sustainably.

ECN E-Bulletin

A monthly bulletin of current information and news items about compost, soil quality and sustainability. Published and distributed by the European Compost Network.

Compost Science and Utilization

An international peer-reviewed journal that focuses on advancements and breakthroughs in the science and engineering of compost production, compost product quality and composted material utilization. Published by Taylor and Francis.

Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association (유기물자원화)

The Journal of Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association is published by the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association (KORRA). The journal is a scientific general journal composed of original papers, review papers, technical notes, special features, and field notes, which has significant research results in all areas of organic resources management.

Urbanet

Based in Germany, Urbanet is a blog and information source that offers a platform for participants to converse and exchange information about local and decentralized government, especially in regards to sustainability. It also offers a monthly newsletter. As described on Urbanet website: “Our authors represent a wide range of stakeholders such as practitioners, academia, representatives of civil society organizations, international organizations, think tanks, development institutes, private sector and many more. URBANET’s articles revolve around the following issues: governance & finance; basic Infrastructure & Housing; Green & Smart Development; Global Urban Debates.“ (https://www.urbanet.info/about/)

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