The collection and processing of organic materials has received renewed attention and government resources, given the large fraction of organic materials in the solid waste stream. Reducing organic waste material reduces greenhouse gases significantly while providing a useful green resource and job creation.
The MNCC is the Minnesota state chapter of the USCC, U.S. Composting Council. As a state affiliate of the USCC, the MNCC is dedicated to developing, expanding, and promoting the composting industry based on sound science, principles of sustainability, and economic viability.
MNCC recently published Standardizing Compost by Defining Properties, Products, and Systems in Minnesota, a white paper with recommendations to establish clear guidelines for compost producers and government agencies to understand when a product can be labeled and marketed as compost in Minnesota.
While there are numerous state laws, rules, and guidance documents, there is no single, consensus-based definition for all stakeholders, including citizens, to describe what constitutes a quality “compost” product. Without consensus, no enforcement of non-permitted composting facilities claiming to sell clean, safe compost to end users is possible.
Standardizing Compost Benefits
The goal of Standardizing Compost is to recommend a standardized set of specifications, definitions, terminology, and potential new regulations to share across agencies wishing to purchase and monitor the quality of compost products and composting facilities to help assure these materials are safe, mature, and stable. Enhanced standards of compost product definitions, feedstock specifications, and composting process requirements should help move the Minnesota composting industry to the next generation of professionalism.
Recommendations in this publication are useful for stakeholders, including state agencies, local government, waste management organizations, engineering firms, and ultimately end-users. There will be long-term strategies (e.g., changes in state legislation or rules) and short-term strategies (e.g., updated guidance documents and MNCC tactics).
Besides providing MNCC with recommendations to establish clear guidelines for compost producers and government agencies to understand when a product can be labeled and marketed as compost in Minnesota, it will provide compost buyers and users with the consistent information needed to help ensure they get comparable quotes on similar compost products processed through centralized composting facilities.
Finished compost products benefit the soil for the intended purpose and are safe for the environment if meeting the criteria Minnesota is establishing, including:
Recommendations for standardizing policies and guidelines to be used by government entities in Minnesota to ensure the compost product produced is safe, mature, stable, and appropriate for the specific application.
Document current compost regulations and programs and the differences, deficiencies, and opportunities for improving the current system of approving compost for use.
Recommending a standardized set of definitions and terminology as guidelines agencies can adopt to help specify compost products and systems of production, along with testing requirements to verify the compost is safe for the environment and appropriate for the intended application.
Helping advance markets for finished compost by working towards a more level playing field for all compost producers and providing consistency for consumers expecting a high-quality, reliable product.
Recommendations for future research, such as the CREF factsheets specific to the needs of Minnesota agencies, contractors, and soil conditions. The compost blend depends on the end-use and organic feedstock available.
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