US Composting Council
Compost Education
Backyard Composting and Vermicomposting Resources and Links The US Composting Council recognizes that composting is occurring at a variety of different levels across the US; from the homeowners composting some leaves and food scraps in their back yards, to the commercial facilities composting 1000s of cubic yards per year. It’s all good and it’s all…
Read MoreUsing STA Certified Compost – Directions for Use and Specifications: LEED Credits for Specific Uses
LEED Credits – Methods & Amounts for Specific Uses LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – is an internationally recognized green building program. It provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. LEED – Compost Specifications Compost has…
Read MoreUsing STA Certified Compost – Directions for Use and Specifications: Bioretention Specifications
Bioretention Specifications Bioretention areas filter water gathered through surface runoff. These areas can feature beautiful plant habitats while filtering pollutants, and be scaled to a variety of storm event sizes.
Read MoreUsing STA Certified Compost – Directions for Use and Specifications: State Department of Transportation (DOT) Specifications
Specifying STA Certified Compost DOTs across the country have shown their confidence in the efficacy of the Seal of Testing Assurance program’s STA Certified Compost products by requiring its use on projects under their jurisdiction. The US Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance Program “STA” is a compost testing, labeling and information disclosure program designed to give…
Read MoreUsing STA Certified Compost – Directions for Use and Specifications : Erosion Control Specifications
Compost – Erosion Control Uses Compost is a great tool to prevent erosion due to its ability to slow down and infiltrate water into the soil. This benefit is especially true when it is paired with one of the erosion control methods below. These methods improve water quality by reducing the amount of stormwater that…
Read MoreUsing STA Certified Compost – Directions for Use and Specifications: Amounts to Use
Amounts to Use Applying the right amount of compost is important to maximize benefits to both your project and your wallet. The US Composting Council and industry experts recommend that soils should contain at least 5% organic matter. Read Increasing Soil Organic Matter with Compost for more information about why you should “Strive for 5%”. Increasing…
Read MoreUsing STA Certified Compost – Directions for Use and Specifications: Methods to Use
Applying compost to your project is easy provided you have the right resources. Check out those methods below. Topdressing Topdressing is a method of applying compost by spreading a thin layer on top of your project area. With this surface application method, established plant roots aren’t disturbed. Make sure not to pile compost against the…
Read MoreUsing STA Certified Compost – Manufacturer Requirements: Sources to Buy
Country Oaks – Burton Facility, MI Product – Grade A Compost, Tested once every three months www.countryoakslandscapesupply.com 3218 E Atherton Road Burton, Michigan 48529 Contact – Mark Cherry mccherry5150@yahoo.com (810) 743‐1920 Hammond Farms, Inc. – Hammond Farms Landscape Supply, MI Product – Pro‐Gro, Tested once every three months www.hammondfarms.com 5834 N. Michigan Rd. Dimondale, Michigan 48821 Contact – Cliff…
Read MoreUsing STA Certified Compost – manufacturer Requirements: Higher Standards for Test Results
Higher Standards for Test Results Some STA Certified Compost manufacturers opt to hold their products to even higher standards. These compost products must pass the standards for the Compost Consumer Use Program (CCUP) test results to remain in the CCUP program. Compost Consumer Use (CCUP) Methods & Amounts What is the Consumer Compost Use Program?…
Read MoreUsing STA Certified Compost – Manufacturer Requirements – Passing Test Results
STA Certified Compost – Test Result Limits for Compost Manufacturers STA Certified Compost participants must meet the EPA testing limits for heavy metals AND pathogens in every CTDS (Compost Technical Data Sheet) for every STA Certified Compost product. METALS – maximum concentrations expressed on a dry weight basis (Chromium and Molybdenum do not have EPA limits) Arsenic (As) 41…
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