Back in 2020, the Census Bureau performed their triannual call for public comment and revisions in the NAIC’s codes. Within the Census Bureau, there is a separate committee that reviews these requests called the Economic Classification Policy Committee (ECPC). The past NAICS designation for Composting Manufacturing was 325311-Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing. This old code did not account for all the feedstocks used in the compost manufacturing process and is related exclusively to the manufacturing of nitrogenous fertilizer materials and mixing ingredients into fertilizers. The old code did mention manufacturing from sewage or animal waste but fell short when the Corresponding Index Entries (CIE) excludes compost with reference to “Fertilizers, Natural Organic (Except Compost), Manufacturing.” The CIE makes it clear that this old code is for the manufacturing of nitrogenous fertilizers such as ammonia, nitric acid and urea. Another old NAICS code 325314-Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing that has been used in the past is also confusing because mixing should not be coupled with the actual manufacturing of raw materials that are combined into fertilizer mixes. So, that designation code was not appropriate for Compost Manufacturing either because compost should not be categorized as a fertilizer and, in most cases, compost products are not registered as fertilizers. Also, because Compost Manufacturing does not have a standalone code, it has been difficult to gather specific industry economic data and statistics. These statistics are vital to a growing manufacturing industry in order to build infrastructure.

The USCC’s Legislative and Environmental Affairs Committee (LEAC) and the USCC’s advocacy program have been tracking an unprecedented number of bills and initiatives from statehouses across the country (as well as federal initiatives - see last month’s article here).

 

Memberships with the US Composting Council are almost entirely tax deductible as a business expense. You may count your membership dues as a deductible expense. The USCC has been increasing its work with advocacy and lobbying. As a result, three percent of your membership dues are not allowed to be claimed as a deduction.

In 2015, a group of young professionals who were determined to bring a positive change in the waste diversion industry started a blog which turned out, in 2017, to be a social enterprisein Lebanon. Congratulations, Compost Baladi SAS and our Emerging Composter Committee Chair, Antoine Abou-Moussa, co-founder, for winning The Shark Zone virtual pitch competition. This achievement has taken the organization to the next level. To know more about Compost Baladi SAS, click here.

Looking for a mentor to help you advance your skills, network, and achieve your goals? Experienced USCC members are willing to share their knowledge and leadership skills by being an advisor to the Young Professionals in the industry.  Be on the lookout for the mentor and mentee application call in a few days. Mentors who are in USCC CCOM/CCP Certification program can get professional development hours added through this program. 

The USCC is thrilled to welcome the following individuals and organizations as members of the USCC.

 

Table to Farm Compost has a public-private partnership with the City of Durango. We have biweekly meetings with city officials and are getting a lot out of this partnership! Most recently, our compost service has been featured in all city utility bills for city residents, AND we have some great signage on the side of the city's recycling trucks zooming around town.  

The Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA) is a federally registered third-party certifier bridging the gap between real-world operational realities and ASTM D6400/D6868 “lab only” certified compostable products. CMA’s unique expertise developed through testing over 2,000 items in over 60 field tests since 2016. CMA works collaboratively with over 25 industrial composting facilities and transfer stations across North America. Compost manufacturing affiliates trust this industry-based certification as CMA is a systems-based solution connecting all necessary stakeholders to ensure thoughtful compostables implementation, collection and processing across the supply chain and solid waste system. By acting as the connector between composters and product manufacturers, compost manufacturers are given a tangible voice and role in the compostables space.

Rotochopper owners and operators gathered at Rotochopper’s manufacturing facility in St. Martin, MN for training the third week of February. The customer service department hosts Rotochopper University annually for companies that have purchased Rotochopper equipment during the past year. After taking a break from the event in 2021, the team was thrilled to have attendees back in session this year.

 

The two-day class includes a manufacturing facility tour, equipment operation best practice training, a hands-on demonstration and plenty of networking opportunities allowing machine owners to learn from each other as well. This year the education focused on ‘how to properly feed your grinder’, ‘how to perform preventative maintenance’ and ‘how to troubleshoot’. The hands-on demonstrations showed attendees how to install the main rotor bearings and how to adjust the sheave and tension the drive belt on a Rotochopper grinder. “Great instructors with a lot of helpful knowledge for Rotochopper operators” shared one event attendee. Another attendee commented, “this event is definitely a benefit for anyone around or operating a Rotochopper”.

Get your hands on the latest in compost and sustainability jobs by taking a look at the job postings from our member organizations on our website. Plus, your membership gives you the benefit of posting jobs on our Career Center for free. It's easy, so why not take advantage of it?
 
How to post a job on the USCC website:
 
Step 1: In your membership account go to Account Settings
Step 2: Click Content & Features
Step 3: Submit an Opening
 
Have questions? Contact Gowri Sundaram at gsundaram@compostingcouncil.org.

Primary Category: Communications Director
Type of Position: Full-Time

 

ILSR is looking for an experienced communications professional to join our team as Communications Director. We’re looking for someone near one of our three home offices in Washington, D.C.; Minneapolis, Minn.; or Portland, Maine but are open to candidates located remotely.

Every two years at the USCC Annual Conference, CREF holds a fundraiser to help raise the money needed to start a new research project. As in the past, at our recent conference, many companies and individuals stepped up and showed their support for the work CREF does by supporting  the new research project. The new research will be COMPOST IN STORMWATER BIORETENTION SYSTEMS: PERFORMANCE BENEFITS, NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS LEACHING CONCERNS. The CREF Board of Trustees and staff want to thank everyone who already donated to the project. Additional funds are still needed to reach the full goal of the fundraising challenge. If you want to help you can donate two ways. You can make a donation here.

 

Or you can purchase a book donated by Ron Alexander. He donated version I and II of his book: The Practical Guide to Compost Marketing and Sales. A purchase of one or more of these books goes to support the new CREF research project. His book can be purchased here.

Dr. Sally Brown, Research Professor at the University of Washington (UW) and long-time BioCycle Connection’s columnist, was among 12 members selected by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to serve on USDA’s inaugural Secretary’s Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture. Committee members will provide input on policy development and help identify barriers to urban agriculture as USDA works to promote urban farming and the economic opportunities it provides in cities across the country.

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) welcomed seven companies to the U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions, companies that have committed to reducing food loss and waste in their U.S. operations by 50 percent by 2030. The new 2030 Champions include: Albertsons Companies, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Danone North America, Smithfield Foods, Inc., Starbucks, Sysco, and Tyson Foods.

In its mission to guide sustainable materials management through data-driven analysis, EREF recently completed its 6th annual MSW landfill tip fee report. Using its database of active Subtitle D municipal solid waste landfills (MSWLFs) in the U.S., the Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) created a sample of facilities that was used for surveying landfills regarding tip fee information for MSW disposal. For the 2021 report, EREF conducted a methodology review and made several updates to the methodology which are described in the report.