The U.S. Composting Council

Transcription

1 The U.S. Composting Council Growth Through Partnerships and Strategic Alliances Wayne King NBMA, Celebrating 25 years Cle Elum, Washington August 28, 2012

2 Presentation Highlights USCC Mission, Growth, Challenges Programs and Special Projects A Paradigm Shift in Compost Uses Partnerships and Strategic Alliances

3 Waste Recovery and Conversion Through Composting The Economic & Environmental Impact of Diverting Waste Destined for Landfills Speaks for itself Wasted Resource Far more important are the Economic, Environmental & Life Style benefits that can be derived from recycling of organic waste into compost for use in sustainable landscapes and other environmental applications

4 US Composting Council Mission Statement The US Composting Council (USCC) advances composting and promotes compost use to enhance soils and provide economic and environmental benefits for our members and society. Vision Statement We believe that the recycling of organic materials is central to achieving healthy soils, clean water and a sustainable society.

5 Restructuring for the Future US Composting Council & Composting Council Research & Education Foundation

6 USCC Programs & Special Projects Test Methods for Examination of Composting and Compost (TMECC) Compost Analysis Proficiency Program (CAP) Seal of Testing Assurance Program (STA) Compostable Logo Program (BPI) Training and Certification Programs (COTP) Compost Use Program (CUP) Science-based programs that increase the credibility and reliability of compost producers, compost products & raise the bar for the industry

7 Programs & Projects Continued Compost Operator Training Program Model Rules Organization & Operational Analysis Industry Economic Impact Study C&C Public Relations & Social Marketing Legislative and Environmental Affairs Partnerships & Strategic Alliances

8 USCC Strategic Alliance Committee Mission: Identify, evaluate and prioritize strategic alliances both new and old Develop mutuality beneficial partnership arrangements with those that share the Council s values vision and purpose

9 SA Committee Goals Align partnerships and strategic alliances with goals and priorities established in the Councils mission statement and strategic plan Develop partnerships and strategic alliances with organization and groups who: Promote organic residuals recovery, recycling and the value of compost as it relates to carbon, air, water, soil and energy Promote and are engaged in sustainable landscape design and construction

10 Traditional Compost Uses Soil Amendment..Sold in Bag or Bulk Garden Centers/Nurseries Landscapers Topsoil/Mulch Material Yards Sport Turf Agriculture/Horticulture

11 A Paradigm Shift in Compost uses Environmental Applications Erosion and Sediment Control Stormwater Management Water Quality & Quantity Water Conservation Bioremediation Food Safety Carbon Sequestration/Climate Change

12 Landscapes The Environmental Prime Mover Produces the oxygen we breath Reduces carbon dioxide Moderates air temperatures resulting in lower heating and cooling costs Filter air and water pollutants, noise and dust Reduce stormwater runoff Provide groundwater recharge

13 New Markets Green Buildings, Green Roofs, Green Walls Bio-Retention Ponds Rain Gardens Erosion Sediment Control (Blankets & Socks) Urban Gardens Organic Fertilizers Alternative Landfill Covers Eco Systems Golf Courses Audubon/Environmental Friendly Other Environmental Uses: Brownfields, Wetlands, Bioremediation

14 EPA Resource Conservation Challenge Sustainable Materials Management The Road Ahead EPA Hierarchy Food Recovery Solid Waste Management Recycling Goals GreenScapes

15 Partnerships Keep America Beautiful (KAB) National Restaurant Association (NRA) Recycling : KAB, NRC and RONA American Nursery & Landscape Association American Society of Landscape Architects US Green Building Council ( LEED) Garden Writers

16 Partnerships.continued Water Environment Association (WEF) Soil Science Society of America National Parks and Recreation National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) American Biogas Council Mulch & Soil Council Golf Course Superintendents Association of

17 Ted s Montana Grill Private Corporations Coca Cola Home Depot Frito Lay Wal-Mart Chick-fil-A Starbucks Whole Foods l Costco Proctor Gamble

18 Public Works

19 GreenScapes and GreenBuilding Programs Reduce Life Cycle Cost for Stormwater Infrastructure Shifts maintenance burdens away from local governments Provide superior control of non-point source pollution and hydrologic control of small, frequently-occurring storms Help with NPDES Phase II final Rule Compliance Help Mitigate Combined Sewer Overflows Help with Watershed Pollutant load management

20

21 Model Ordinances Greeley Colorado Because soil amended with compost requires less water (as much as 30% less), the city of Greeley is requiring proof of compost to obtain a variance to water your new lawn. Minimum rate of 4 cubic yards per 1,000 square feet of area tilled into a depth of 6-8 inches

22 Model Ordinance City of Leander Texas All new Landscapes (non-residential and residential) are required to have a minimum of six inches of soil depth in areas planted with turfgrass. The 6 minimum soil depth will consist of 75% soil blended with 25% compost. The soil/compost blend shall be incorporated into the top two inches of the native soil

23 Soil BMP Requirements Washington State DOE Stormwater Manual BMP t Soil Quality and Depth Building permit requires achieving a post-construction soil standard to preserve and restore soil quality and meet new code requirements Four options Leave native soil undisturbed and protect from compaction Amend existing soil in place (pre-approved amendment rate of 2.5 to a depth of 8 inches Import topsoil mix with 8-13% organic matter content Stockpile site duff and topsoil and reapply after grading and construction 8 minimum depth

24 SOS.. Save Our Soils!

25