Appendices Index

APPENDIX Q -- THE COMPOSTING HANDBOOK

COMPOST QUALITY, MARKETING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES

Hilary Nichols, Market Development Coordinator, US Composting Council

Latest revision: 12/10/2021

The Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) Program was created as a service by the US Composting Council, to increase communication between compost manufacturers and discerning compost users. It has many benefits for both sides. Not all compost is the same, and as a 3rd party, the STA Program makes it easy to compare the differences. The STA Program represents a nation-wide network of compost manufacturers who value this popular information disclosure program.

An inter-linked program with STA, the Consumer Compost Use Program (CCUP) was created by the US Composting Council to assist “grab & go” customers who are looking for a simple quality stamp for three specific uses.

STA Program Foundation maintained by the US Composting Council’s STA Advisory Committee: www.compostingcouncil.org/STAFoundation 

• Standardized Sampling Methods across the industry (TMECC), to provide consistent sampling protocols and procedures to increase the accuracy of test results through labs receiving compost samples that are more representative of the compost sold. www.compostingcouncil.org/resource/resmgr/images/Guide_for_Collecting_Field_S.pdf

• Standardized Lab Methods across the industry, so compost can be compared utilizing methods specifically created for the analysis of compost. Test Methods for the Evaluation of Compost and Composting (TMECC) lab methods are kept up-to-date by the Compost Research and Education Foundation’s Standards and Practices (S&P) Committee. www.compostfoundation.org/CompostAnalysis

• Lab Proficiency Testing through the Compost Analysis Proficiency (CAP) Program that tests labs both against themselves as well as against other labs, 3x per year across triplicate samples from three sources (27 samples/year/lab). So, everyone can be certain lab results are accurate. www.compostingcouncil.org/LabProficiencyTesting
• Uniform Product Label for end users to know the characteristics of the compost they purchase, through the STA Compost Technical Data Sheet (CTDS). CTDS’s show compliance to specifications, and are a sales tool for national STA branding that provides information required to make user specific quality and value determinations for each type of project. www.compostingcouncil.org/UnderstandingCTDS
• Definition of Compost, in collaboration with the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials. There are many materials that come from organic materials. But compost is unique. www.compostingcouncil.org/CompostDefinition
• Defining Products vs Derivative Products, to navigate what information needs to be disclosed to customers related to products derived from STA Certified Composts enrolled in the program.
• Compost Benefit Claims, well-researched in collaboration with the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials. www.compostingcouncil.org/CompostBenefits

Specification Assistance

• Industry Template Specifications
  • Templates for growing plants (Lawns, Trees & Shrubs, Flowers & Vegetables) www.compostingcouncil.org/CCUPMethodsAmounts
  • Templates for erosion control (Berms, Blanks, Socks) www.compostingcouncil.org/CompostErosionControlUses
  • Templates for general compost use, including “Strive for 5%” Organic Matter in Soil by Mass (not Volumetrically). www.compostingcouncil.org/HowUseCompost
• Peer Example Specifications for Departments of Transportation and landscape architects www.compostingcouncil.org/SpecifyCompost
• Guides for Buying Compost www.compostingcouncil.org/BuyCompost

Continuing Outreach to Specifiers

• Securing grant funding to discover roadblocks, educate, and collaborate to create specifications with specifiers. Also to create resource documents.
• Partnerships with allied industries to put educational materials in front of specifiers through publications, speaking engagements, and press releases. www.compostingcouncil.org/Partners
• Customized comparison to DOT specs are included in STA test results for convenience www.compostingcouncil.org/UnderstandingCTDS

Marketing Materials created and kept up to date by the US Composting Council’s Market Development Committee:

• Map of compost manufacturers in the STA program www.compostingcouncil.org/participants
• Logos showing which products are proudly in the STA Program, for the value of national brand recognition.
• Printable brochures on compost use and describing the STA program, and customizable with compost manufacturer contact info. (STA Participants Only) www.compostingcouncil.org/STAbrochures
• Social media templates, hashtags, photos, and press release templates on both Victory Gardens and the International Compost Awareness Week. USCC’s interesting content plus the reach of your digital connections plus engagement results in a successful campaign that spreads virally. www.compostingcouncil.org/VictoryGardens
• Videos by extension agents to gardening experts, demonstrating how to use finished compost for different purposes www.compostingcouncil.org/VideosUsingCompost
• Website Resources showing third-party support and resources on compost use for the benefits of compost use, directions for using, helpful application equipment, and more. www.compostingcouncil.org/UseCompost
• Webinars on how to use marketing materials (USCC Members Only) www.compostingcouncil.org/WebinarRecordings

STA Program Requirements, for the educated and discerning product user. To use the logos, be included on the USCC’s website, and receive the USCC’s marketing materials, manufacturers must: www.compostingcouncil.org/CompostManufacturersSTA

• Meet the US Composting Council’s Definition of Compost www.compostingcouncil.org/CompostDefinition
• Comply with Government Permits / Regulations www.compostingcouncil.org/StateRegulations
• Use Compost Analysis Proficiency (CAP) Program Labs for testing compost samples www.compostingcouncil.org/CertifiedLabs
• Use TMECC methods to collect compost samples www.compostfoundation.org/CompostAnalysis
• Frequent Product Testing, according to how much is produced – balancing manufacturer cost with customer needs for the accuracy of per-batch information. www.compostingcouncil.org/STA-ProductTesting
  • 1 to 6,250 tons = 1 test per 3 months
  • 6,251 to 17,500 tons = 1 test per 2 months
  • 17,501 tons and above = 1 test per 1 month

Pass Heavy Metals and Pathogens Test Result Requirements for EPA Biosolids, for all feedstocks www.compostingcouncil.org/TestResultLimits

Disclose Product Labels to Customers. Customers make their own determination for whether a product suits their purpose. Product label includes:

• Manufacturer’s recommended directions for product use www.compostingcouncil.org/directionsforuse
• Feedstock ingredients www.compostingcouncil.org/STA-Feedstocks
• Test results www.compostingcouncil.org/UnderstandingCTDS
• Primary plant nutrients optional to disclose if registered as a fertilizer.

Consumer Compost Use (CCUP) Program Requirements, for “grab & go” customers who are looking for a simple quality stamp for three specific uses: Lawns, Trees & Shrubs, and Flowers & Vegetables. Each of the CCUP use purposes has associated specific directions for use for both establishment and maintenance applications, as well as additional information to use for interpreting each characteristic, for each use. To use the logos and be on the USCC’s website for CCUP, manufacturers must: www.compostingcouncil.org/CCUPMethodsAmounts

• Be in good standing with the US Composting Council’s STA Program
• Pass the CCUP acceptable limits for test results

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