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 From the Top of the Pile
Frank Franciosi and Linda Norris-Waldt We’ve been seeing a huge amount of change in the landscape of our industry—not only through mergers and acquisitions, but also through retirements. A large part of our industry over the age of 65 has or is moving into retirement mode. These are the Rhonda Sherman’s, the Cary Oshins’, the Bob Yost’s, the Jack Hoeck’s, the Gary Felton’s, the Greg Evanylo’s, and the Pat Millner’s of our industry. This is a huge loss of our industry’s knowledge base. Whether you’re a family-run business or part of a larger corporate-run company, succession planning is an important part of managing risk. Everyone should have a succession plan in place. Composters are DO-ERS—the grass literally doesn’t (well, with compost it does) get a chance to grow under our feet before we’re starting new businesses, new initiatives, new systems, new ways of doing things. One of the impacts of all of this doing is that there is not much time to sit back and reflect, and teach, and pass on. Training the future workforce can be achieved by more than one resource. Internally your management should identify potential successors within your organization’s structure. Who on your staff has the ability to transfer knowledge? Externally, our Compost University has online courses to educate your successors. Also, CREF has their in-person Compost Operator Training Courses. Finally, the USCC’s Mentorship Program is an important membership benefit and it’s open right now. If you’re a veteran of the industry, please consider becoming a Mentor to pass the torch on to our Young Professionals. If you’re a up and coming emerging professional, please take advantage of all the programs that we have to offer our members. The composting industry as we know it began in the 1990s with corporate interests in solid waste composting—bet you didn’t know that? (see more history here). When that didn’t work out so well those who came before us (our retirees) laid the groundwork for the industry that is flourishing now. If you’re one of those early experts, activists, entrepreneurs, equipment sellers—the responsibility is on you now. Train up your successors and pass on that knowledge that is so valuable. It will make you breathe easier when you retire.
USCC NEWS
Already, many of your industry colleagues have provided us with a point of contact for the US Composting Council’s upcoming Salary & Benefits Benchmarking Study. We want to encourage you to join them in helping us create a robust data set for this study.
We are gathering critical data on compensation and benefits to help our members make better-informed hiring decisions. If you and your team would like to help in this landmark study, please we would greatly appreciate your help identifying the human resources representative, or relevant point of contact, on your team.
Chris Snow
Director of Public Policy Greetings from the US Composting Council’s new Director of Public Policy! I am excited to join the USCC Team, and try to fill the very big shoes of Linda Norris-Waldt as she prepares to take the helm of the USCC upon Frank Franciosi’s retirement at the end of June. I believe my nearly 39 years of public and private experience in the areas of land use planning, solid waste infrastructure planning and construction, solid waste collection and recycling, yard and wood waste management, and my last 3.5 years with a Florida company committed to composting; has prepared me for my new position with the USCC. 
 All main account users should have received an email from uscc@compostingcouncil.org with the subject line “USCC Membership Renewal—Renew Your Membership By June 30th” which contains your renewal invoice and an online payment link.
Your continued support ensures that the US Composting Council remains the leading voice of the compost industry. Your dues allow us to support you all by advocating for smart policy down to the state level promoting composting as a critical solution to environmental and waste challenges. Beyond advocacy, your membership comes with a host of valuable benefits!
Need a refresher on your member benefits? Join one of our monthly virtual Member Orientations!
Any other questions? Reach out to Ksenia, our Member Services Coordinator, at kdobbs@compostingcouncil.org.
USCC's annual conference routinely attracts 1,600 attendees working directly in the fields of compost manufacturing and organics recycling. Exhibitors receive outstanding professional exposure as well as great networking opportunities. The exhibition floor is already filling up with members of the composting industry—make sure to reserve your booth while there’s still spots left!
The USCC is happy to welcome Emma Singleton as our Marketing Coordinator. Emma was introduced to–and got hooked on–composting through her job at Wesleyan University's Sustainability Office, and she entered the composting industry following her graduation with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Anthropology. Emma comes to the USCC with two years of experience in multiple aspects of the composting industry, including food waste collection, public outreach and education, and, especially, program marketing and sales. ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC POLICY BRIEFS
The US Composting Council supports local composting regulation that is science-based and helps bolster the work of composters. This month, multiple state legislatures considered, or are considering, legislation and regulations that will either support or harm the work of composters if passed. In collaboration with the Legislative and Environmental Affairs Committee, USCC has provided letters either of support or opposition for bills in Texas, Florida, New Jersey, and New York.
This is the USCC Compost Policy Pulse update for June 2025, and the first Policy Pulse from Director of Public Policy Chris Snow! These updates are brought to our members from our Public Policy and Lobbying Program and the Legislative and Environmental Affairs Committee, a member committee that meets monthly to discuss legislation, regulation, issues, and programs.
Hear an introduction from Chris Snow, followed by a discussion of multiple state bills considered over the past month that could impact composters.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
In almost any field, the most successful professionals and organizations are those committed to continuous learning and professional development. For some, that means constantly building knowledge specific to a job role. For others, it may include earning a credential or gaining leadership skills. The USCC offers a full range of professional development opportunities to fuel your career growth and composting knowledge.
COMPOST USE
It’s that time of year again—Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) renewals are underway! As a reminder, the STA certification cycle runs from July 1st to June 30th. We’ve already received renewal applications from about 30% of current participants, which is a great start. If you haven’t submitted yours yet, now’s the time—applications are due by Monday, June 30.
The renewal process remains the same as in previous years. For USCC members, you may notice your STA participant fee has changed—either increased or decreased by $25. These small adjustments help simplify billing and support a more equitable program structure.
There’s one new addition this cycle: a TMECC Update Fee of $25 will be included in the renewal invoice for each regular Compost Product (this does not apply to derivative products).
STATE CHAPTER NEWS
On June 11, the North Carolina Composting Council held its annual meeting in Raleigh. This year, their theme was “Strong Economies and Communities Start with Compost,” which highlights the powerful role composting plays in shaping resilient local systems and the robust economic opportunity the composting industry has in North Carolina.
Chapter members from around the state gathered to talk about compost operations, review state and federal policy, and celebrate the chapter's achievements in the past year, including successful Compost Operator Training Course (COTC), the launch of their webinar series, and providing over $11,000 in grants and scholarships.
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
We are thrilled to highlight Khila Pecoraro as June’s YP of the Month! Khila currently works for Cornell Cooperative Extension as a Recycling and Composting Educator.
Khila first learned about composting throughout her undergraduate studies but her interest took off when Khlia was studying for my Master's degree at Syracuse University. There, Khila was a Sustainable Materials Management Steward through an amazing program at the Institute for Sustainability Engagement. Khila felt so lucky when she was hired as the Recycling and Composting Educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension, Schenectady County. Now, Khila runs a community compost project and teaches composting to kids and adults throughout the county!
Being safe while composting is cool. Join us for our July Happy Hour on July 10th at 5pm ET to hear from current COTC instructor Matt Cotton on how to be safe while performing compost operations, especially during the summer months!
When: July 10th at 5 p.m. EDT
Where: Zoom
The virtual YP Happy Hour happens on the first Thursday of every month. It is a space to make new friends and colleagues who share an interest in composting and sustainability! You can register by pressing the button below:
Are you a passionate young professional looking to connect with like-minded individuals in the composting industry? Look no further! We invite you to join our vibrant and engaging Slack community.
By joining our Slack, you'll have the opportunity to:
It's easy to get started! Simply click the button below to join our Slack community and start connecting with fellow Young Professionals today. MEMBER NEWS
Corporate Compost Leadership Council (CCLC) Member Organization Chick-fil-A is committed to reducing food waste, recovering surplus food, and composting inedible food scraps. In their recently-released 2024 Global Impact Report, they highlight the success they had in 2024 in sticking to this commitment. In addition to highlighting other charitable endeavors, their successes regarding food waste reduction and composting.
We want to welcome these new members to the US Composting Council! Elk River Compost (STA Participant!) – Zimmerman, MN BMP Logic – Trenton, FL Merrell Bros. Brighton Regional Composting Facility (STA Participant!) – Moore Haven, FL Marpan Recycling LLC – Tallahassee, FL Each month brings piles of exciting news about USCC member organizations on the cutting edge of the composting industry. But, for as much news that reaches USCC’s ears, we know there’s so much more going on that we don’t hear about. If you’d like your organization’s achievements to be highlighted on the next issue of the Compost Communicator, all you have to do is ask! OPPORTUNITIES, JOBS AND GRANTS
Dirt Hugger has an exciting opportunity in soil sales and marketing, based out of their facility in Dallesport, WA. The Sales & Marketing Manager is at the helm of expanding Dirt Hugger's reach, growing revenue, and branding their high-quality compost and sustainable solutions. The right individual for this job is one that can lead with strategy, creativity, and execution to drive sales, while also being ready to dive into the day-to-day—whether it’s helping run the front office or supporting hands-on efforts to keep things moving. This is a role for someone who leads by doing and thrives in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.
Compost Research & Education Foundation News
Coming off the heels of a successful Nebraska COTC, CREF is getting ready for two more courses in the coming months. The first, scheduled July 21 - 25, sees the COTC returning to New York State (near Poughkeepsie) for the first time since 2019. Next, the COTC will make its annual appearance in Raleigh, NC September 8 - 12.
As International Compost Awareness Week 2025 comes to a close, we want to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who made this year’s celebration so powerful and inspiring.
From coast to coast, your participation brought composting to life, through giveaways, school garden builds, workshops, film screenings, and city-wide events. These efforts reminded us that composting is more than managing waste, it's a tool for building healthy soil, resilient communities, and a sustainable future.
IN THE HEADLINES
Nora Shelly, Bozeman Daily Chronicle
BOZEMAN, M.T., May 30th 2025 — The City of Bozeman has partnered with composting company and USCC member Happy Trash Can to establish a curbside composting program. For $10 a month Bozeman residents can sign up to have their organic waste collected by city workers and brought to Happy Trash Can’s composting site. The company uses aerated static piles to compost the organic waste, which is then used by the city, given back to curbside customers, and utilized by local farmers.
Currently, about 1,100 residents out of the 13,000 residents who participate in curbside trash collection are participating in the composting program. The city hopes to increase participation in the program over the next few months.
Photo credit: NBC Montana
Juliana Beecher, BioCycle
Goodr, founded by COMPOST2025’s keynote speaker Jasmine Crowe, treats wasted food as a logistical problem with a technical solution. Using their own internal network and app, the company serves as a crucial bridge between generators of surplus food—restaurants, supermarkets, and more— and places that serve hungry or food-insecure individuals to ensure that no edible food has to go to waste. This profile on Goodr and Crowe provides a shining example of the ways in which technology can help companies and nonprofits in the fight against food waste.
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