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Environmental and Health Issues and Recommendations  Recycled Content:
Compost can be generated from virgin or postconsumer organic materials. Postconsumer or "recycled content" compost may come from landscape trimmings, agricultural residues, paper pulp, food scraps, wood chips, manure, and biosolids. Using postconsumer or recycled content compost keeps organic material out of landfills.
 Material Availability:
Using recycled content organic materials to make compost offers a beneficial use for what could otherwise be a waste product.  Conserves Water:
Compost helps soil retain moisture, reducing the need for watering. Compost increases rainwater interception and infiltration.  Less Hazardous:
Compost adds beneficial microorganisms to the soil and provides a source of slow-release nutrients which reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers. Compost can suppress a variety of diseases and improves plant health, which reduces the need for pesticides. Compost can also be used to restore contaminated soils, reduce stormwater runoff, and degrade volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
See the Introduction for complete descriptions of these environmental and health issues.
BACKGROUND AND ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH ISSUES
Compost is a soil amendment produced from the controlled biological decomposition of organic materials. Compost feedstock materials include landscape trimmings, agricultural residues, paper pulp, food scraps, wood chips, manure, and biosolids. Compost has the ability to help regenerate poor soils. The composting process encourages the production of beneficial micro-organisms (mainly bacteria and fungi) which in turn break down organic matter to create humus. [1] Compost can:
- Suppress plant diseases and pests.
- Reduce or eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers.
- Promote higher yields of agricultural crops.
- Facilitate reforestation, wetlands restoration, and habitat revitalization efforts by amending contaminated, compacted, and marginal soils.
- Cost-effectively remediate soils contaminated by hazardous waste.
- Remove solids, oil, grease, and heavy metals from stormwater runoff.
- Capture and destroy 99.6 percent of industrial volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) in contaminated air.
Environmental and Health Issues
Recycled Content
Purchasing compost made from recycled materials (landscape trimmings, agricultural residues, paper pulp, food scraps, wood chips, manure, and biosolids) conserves landfill space.
What to look for: Look for compost that meets or exceeds the minimum content requirements of the State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign.
Water Conservation
Well-composted organic materials hold a large percentage of their weight in water. Compost improves the plant's ability to draw water from the soil and at a greater depth. At the same time, porosity of the soil is increased, providing a better balance between air and water. Compost helps soils hold water, reduces irrigation requirements, and improves the evapotranspiration of plants by increasing general plant health. Compost also increases rainwater interception and infiltration.
Fertilizers and Pesticides
Quality compost provides a source of slow-release nutrients and trace elements which reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers. Since nutrients from compost are slowly made available for root uptake, nutrients are less likely to be lost through leaching. Compost adds beneficial organisms to the soil profile as well. These organisms play a vital role in converting fertilizers into compounds that are easily absorbed by plants. The organic particles provide "sites" for fertilizers to reside until plants can take them up as nutrients. Overall, an organically amended soil is healthier, more resilient, and becomes a pleasure to till or work with your hands.
Compost has also been shown to suppress a variety of plant diseases and to reduce the need for pesticides. Research continues in this area to try and determine exactly what properties of organic matter reduce disease outbreaks. Companies want to develop commercial products that "mimic" this natural disease suppression. This is not easy since each situation is somewhat different and soil temperature, moisture content, and plant selection all play a part in the process.
Stormwater Runoff
Compost improves water infiltration in soils, which can reduce stormwater runoff. Compost has the ability to prevent pollutants in stormwater runoff from reaching surface water. The organic particles also act as a filter to keep fertilizers, pesticides, and other contaminants from leaching into the groundwater supply. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) states that compost has also been shown to prevent erosion and silting on embankments parallel to creeks, lakes, and rivers, and prevents erosion and turf loss on roadsides, hillsides, playing fields, and golf courses.
The following California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) publications describe the benefits of using compost for erosion control:
Bioremediation
The USEPA indicates that the composting process has been shown to absorb odors and treat semivolatile and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including heating fuels, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and explosives. It has also been shown to bind heavy metals and prevent them from migrating to water resources or being absorbed by plants. The compost process degrades and, in some cases, completely eliminates wood preservatives, pesticides, and both chlorinated and nonchlorinated hydrocarbons in contaminated soils.
The USEPA publication titled "Innovative Uses of Compost - Bioremediation and Pollution Prevention", contains information on the use of compost in soil remediation.
Material to Avoid
Forests can be rich sources of biodiversity. [2] They are important for fish and wildlife habitat; provide food, shelter, and aesthetic and recreational benefits to humans; help slow global warming by storing and sequestering carbon; and help regulate local and regional rainfall. [3] Avoid compost made from fiber, from old growth forests, endangered forests, and unsustainably harvested forests. These terms may be defined differently by different parties, so to err on the safer side, consider purchasing compost generated from 100 percent recycled-content materials, which does not require logging more trees.
LAWS AND GUIDELINES
California
Statute
- Public Resources Code (PRC) section 42241 requires the Department of Transportation to use compost in place of, or to supplement, petroleum-based commercial fertilizers in the state's highway landscape maintenance program.
- PRC section 42243 requires the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Department of General Services to initiate programs to restore public lands and use compost, co-compost, rice straw and chemically fixed sewage sludge and use those products or materials wherever possible.
- PRC section 42246 requires any procuring agency that prepares a request for bid for commercial fertilizers or soil amendment products to document its determination that the use of a compost, co-compost, or chemically fixed sewage sludge would jeopardize public health or safety or would jeopardize the intended use of the project.
- Public Contract Code (PCC) section 12183 requires all state departments and agencies, including, but not limited to, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Water Resources, the Department of Forestry, and the Department of Parks and Recreation, to give purchase preference to compost and co-compost products when they can be substituted for, and cost no more than, the cost of regular fertilizer or soil amendment products, or both, if the co-compost products meet all applicable state standards and regulations, as determined by appropriate testing. The product preference is required to include, but not be limited to, the construction of noise attenuation barriers and safety walls, highway planting projects, and recultivation and erosion control programs.
State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign (SABRC)
- Recycled-Content Product Procurement Requirements
- Public Contract Code (PCC) section 12203 requires State agencies (including California State Universities) to ensure that at least 50 percent of the dollars spent on compost, cocompost, and mulch products be spent on products that meet the minimum content requirements set forth in PCC section 12209. PCC section 12209(c) states "For recycled compost, cocompost, and mulch, at least 80 percent of the product shall consist of materials, including, but not limited to, the materials listed in subdivision (c) of Section 12207, that would otherwise be normally disposed of in landfills." Note: See PCC section 12207(c) for detailed definitions of compost, cocompost, and mulch for the SABRC.
- The SABRC compost, cocompost, and mulch category includes mulch, compost, and cocompost products including soil amendments, erosion controls, soil toppings, ground covers, weed suppressants, and organic materials used for water conservation. Note: See PCC section 12207(c) for detailed definitions of compost, cocompost, and mulch for the SABRC.
- Recycled-Content Certification Requirements
- PCC section 12205 requires all State agencies to obtain from all suppliers written certification of the postconsumer recycled content of each product offered or sold to the State. Recycled-content certification forms are available in the SABRC training manual.
- Recycled-Content Product Procurement Report
- Recycled-Content Product Procurement Contract Language
- PCC section 12217(f) directs State agencies to remove contract provisions that impede the consideration of recycled products and to replace them with performance standards.
Federal
- Since 2000, under federal Executive Order 13148, federal agencies have been required, in implementing landscaping policies, to purchase environmentally preferable and recycled content products, including USEPA-designated items such as compost and mulch that contribute to environmentally and economically beneficial practices.
- The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act requires procuring agencies to buy recycled-content products designated by the USEPA in the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG). Yard trimmings compost and food waste compost are USEPA-designated items. [4] Procuring agencies include all federal agencies, and any state or local government agencies or government contractors that use appropriated federal funds to purchase the designated items. If your agency spends more than $10,000 per year on a product designated in the CPG, you are required to purchase it with the highest recycled-content level practicable. [5] This means that the recycled-content ranges recommended in the USEPA's Recovered Materials Advisory Notice (RMAN) for the item in question are met. [6],[7] The USEPA's recommended recovered materials content levels for compost made from yard trimmings and/or food waste are available on-line.
Executive Order 13101 and the Federal Acquisition Regulation also call for an increase in the federal government's use of recycled-content and environmentally preferable products. [8]
PERFORMANCE
In California, commercial composters are required to meet specific regulatory requirements to protect public health and safety. However, because no state or national standards exist for rating compost quality, agencies may need to perform their own quality assessment. Compost should have a pleasant aroma and be consistent throughout. In addition to a visual inspection, assessing other compost characteristics is important to ensure the product meets specific applications needs within a specified price range. The carbon to nitrogen ratio for finished compost should be less than 20. If ratios are too high, nitrogen can be tied up in the compost and unavailable to plants. The pH value of finished compost should be neither extremely acidic nor alkaline (acceptable range: 5.5 - 8.0 pH).
Concerns about physical contaminants in compost such as plastic, glass, and metal, can be addressed by requiring that the product contains no visible contaminants. Weed seeds and pathogens can be a problem unless the material is maintained, using a windrow composting process, at a temperature of 55 degrees Celsius (131 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher for a period of 15 days or longer, and there is a minimum of five (5) turnings of the windrow. Compost produced by an aerated static pile process, in which all active material is covered with six to 12 inches of insulating material, only requires that these temperatures be maintained for a period of three days.
Once performance requirements are determined (seed germination, erosion control, etc.), it will be easier to select a compost with appropriate characteristics for the application. See the CIWMB publication titled "Compost: Matching Performance Needs With Product Characteristics" for information on assessing compost products.
Hydroseeding is a good alternative to sod for starting vegetation, especially on steep slopes. However, in many cases, compost blankets offer advantages over hydroseeding. Compost blankets have been found to be better at absorbing heavy rainfall, preventing stormwater runoff, and establishing plants.
AVAILABILITY
Compost is widely available in small or large quantities from public and private compost producers. Sources of compost and mulch can be found in the yellow pages under such headings as "Rock" and "Landscaping Equipment and Supplies." Some cities, prisons, and colleges also produce and sell compost to offset program operating costs. See the Vendor section for a link to a partial list of several compost and mulch suppliers in California.
COST
Compost prices vary based upon a number of factors, such as feedstock, processing required for a given product, and transportation distance to application site. Compost purchased in bulk is considerably less expensive than a bagged product.
Although compost might initially be more expensive to apply compared to commonly-used materials (synthetic fertilizers, straw wattles, silt fences, etc.), compost can offer long-term cost benefits. The use of compost minimizes the need to dispose organic material in landfills, which reduces transportation and disposal costs. Compost builds healthier soils, which reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Compost applied for erosion control can reduce costs related to deposition of sediment on roadways and can help agencies avoid fines for illegal discharge of pollutants into waterways.
Tips on Buying Compost
Buy compost that meets the requirements of the application type. For example, compost used in nurseries as a soil amendment requires different performance characteristics than compost used in filter socks for erosion control. Remember - it is important to determine the appropriate product for a specific application.
Buy compost from a facility that has obtained all necessary permits, such as a compost handling facility permit issued by the local enforcement agency.
Purchase United States Composting Council (USCC) Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) compost products. The US Composting Council's Seal of Testing Assurance Program requires testing and information disclosure of compost products.
For more information on the various methods for testing compost quality, visit the following Web pages:
SPECIFICATIONS
California
The Procurement Engineering Team of the Procurement Division of the Department of General Services develops and reviews specifications for statewide commodity standards and information technology. If you have questions regarding developing specifications, or would like a copy of one of their specifications, please contact the team.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) develops specifications on roadside application of compost for their statewide projects. If you have questions regarding developing specifications for roadside applications, contact the Caltrans Office of Landscape Architecture.
Tips for Writing Specifications
Sample Language
It may be useful to contact several local compost suppliers in order to develop specifications that meet the requirements of the application type. The language can specify feedstock type, particle size, moisture content, stability and maturity, pH, maximum contaminant levels, etc. For more information on sample specifications, see the CIWMB fact sheet titled "Guidelines for Writing Compost or Mulch Procurement Specifications".
Other Specifications
- King County Washington Environmental Purchasing Program, Compost as Organic Soil Amendment. This Web page contains information on specifications for road, bridge, and municipal construction for compost products.
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Database of Environmental Information for Products and Services. This database contains contract language, specifications, and policies created and used by federal, state, and local governments and others to buy environmentally preferable products and services.
- If you have a specification for an environmentally preferable product or service, consider asking the USEPA to include it in this database.
- Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT), Washington State DOT Compost Specifications for Roadside Projects. This document contains compost specifications, including physical criteria and contractor requirements.
VENDORS
Compost and mulch suppliers can be located by visiting the CIWMB's Organic Materials Management Facility Search page. In addition, the CIWMB's Recycled-Content Product Directory contains thousands of listings of recycled-content products from thousands of suppliers.
LOCAL AGENCY PROCUREMENT
Public Contract Code section 10298 allows local agencies to participate in State procurement, including agreements for goods and services. The Department of General Services (DGS) Master Agreements Web page contains information on such programs as the Master Agreements and Statewide Contracts and California Multiple Awards Schedules. These programs specifically offer a vast array of goods and services that a particular local agency may not have the expertise in procuring.
SUCCESS STORIES
City of San Jose, CA
The City of San Jose has adopted policies that have boosted compost sales by city agencies, as described in a December 2000 article in BioCycle titled "Increasing Government Purchase of Compost Products".
Texas Department of Transportation
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) runs one of the most advanced, widespread compost-use programs in the United States and has conducted more than 20 demonstrations across the state proving the benefits of compost. The USEPA GreenScapes Web page provides information on TxDOT's partnership with the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission (TNRCC) and their efforts to increase compost procurement.
Case Studies
Avenal State Prison: Food Scrap and Green Material Collection
This case study describes how Avenal State Prison's (located in California) contracted food scrap and green material collection program diverts organic materials from disposal, reduces its disposal and landscape maintenance costs, and produces a value-added product from recovered organic materials.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo: Food Scrap and Green Material
This case study describes how the California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo, implemented several programs that divert both green material and food scraps from landfilling. As a result of these programs, the campus has little material that is actually landfilled, makes $30,000 in annual revenue from compost sales, decreases pollution from animal waste runoff, reduces landfill greenhouse gas emissions, and conserves landfill capacity.
City of Burbank: Green Material Collection Program
This case study describes how the City of Burbank, California partnered with its hauling company and a grower to implement a highly successful green material diversion and composting public education program. This has resulted in adding nutrient value to sandy agricultural soils, producing 500 pounds of compost a year from 4,000 backyard compost projects, and extending the 50-year life expectancy of their landfill.
City of Modesto: Public Compost Production Program Study
This case study describes how the City of Modesto's (California) composting facility has enabled the city to divert green material and biosolids from disposal, thereby saving more than $1.4 million on the cost of landfilling their organic materials and generating revenues through the sale of the compost products which help to offset program operating costs.
RESOURCES AND WEBSITES
Association of Compost Producers (ACP)
(619) 303-3694
The ACP is a non-profit organization whose members are public agencies and private companies involved in the production and marketing of compost. The purpose of the association is to help members work together to improve the quality of soil being used for gardens, landscaping and farming.
California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
Sacramento, CA
(916) 341-6000
The CIWMB's mission is to reduce waste, promote the management of all materials to their highest and best use, and protect public health and safety and the environment, in partnership with all Californians. Visit the CIWMB's Organic Materials Management -- Compost and Mulch Web pages.
California Organic Recycling Council (CORC)
Sacramento, CA
(916) 441-2772
The CORC represents a coalition of organics recyclers, including collectors, processors, end users, and local governments. The CORC supports the development of an organics infrastructure for increasing sustainable and diverse end markets, through policy leadership and education. The CORC provides educational workshops, expert testimony and comments on legislation and regulations, and is a resource for organic materials recycling programs.
US Composting Council (USCC)
Holbrook, NY 11741
(631) 737-4931
The USCC is the only national organics recycling organization dedicated to the development, expansion and promotion of the composting industry.
King County Environmental Purchasing Program
Seattle, WA
(206) 296-0100
(800) 325-6165
A pioneer and contemporary model in environmental procurement, King County provides sample contract specifications for compost and landscape mulch, and information on a variety of other products. In addition, its Web site contains procurement case studies along with resources for environmental purchasing and waste reduction.
The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive (OFEE)
Washington, DC
(202) 564-1297
As part of its broader mission to promote sustainable environmental stewardship throughout the federal government, the OFEE promotes the acquisition of recycled-content, environmentally preferable, and biobased products.
United States Conference of Mayors
Washington, DC
(202) 293-7330
The United States Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of the nation's cities with populations of 30,000 or more. Their Web site contains many articles on compost.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
Washington, DC
(202) 272-0167
In order to assist federal agencies in purchasing environmentally preferable products and services, the USEPA offers a range of information about products such as compost. Visit the USEPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) Web site for Recovered Materials Advisory Notices (RMANs), which recommend recycled-content levels. The site includes information on landscaping products, such as compost made from yard trimmings and/or food waste and a fact sheet on procurement guidelines for landscaping products.
Laboratories
For assistance with finding laboratories that have expertise in testing compost, visit the USCC's Web site and see the California Integrated Waste Management Board publication titled "Compost: Matching Performance Needs With Product Characteristics". * Reference does not imply endorsement by the California Integrated Waste Management Board.
[1] United States Environmental Protection Agency. Composting - Environmental Benefits Web site. Available at www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/composting/benefits.htm.
[2] United States Environmental Protection Agency. Technical Document: EPA's Draft Report on the Environment 2003, p. 5-9. Available at http://www.epa.gov/Envindicators/roe/pdf/EPA_Draft_ROE.pdf.
[3] Union of Concerned Scientists. Invasive Species - Forests Web page. Available at www.ucsusa.org/invasive_species/forests-index.html. Accessed on January 12, 2006.
[4] United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2004 Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines EPA Expands Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG) fact sheet. Available at www.epa.gov/cpg/pdf/cpg-fs.pdf.
[5] United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2004 Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines Buy-Recycled Series Landscaping Products fact sheet. Available at www.epa.gov/cpg/factshts.htm.
[6] From California Integrated Waste Management Board staff communication with Office of the Federal Environmental Executive staff on December 12, 2005.
[7] United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2004 Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines Buy-Recycled Series Landscaping Products fact sheet. Available at: www.epa.gov/cpg/factshts.htm.
[8] Ibid.
Special Note: Portions of the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Best Practices Manual were borrowed or adapted from the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide published by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board of Minnesota.
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