The Science of Composting Quality, Marketing, Compost Basics Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. Athena Lee Bradley www.nerc.org
Getting Started
Market Beginnings Are you committed to manufacturing a marketable compost product? Do you have a business & marketing plan? Do you know what compost is? The composting regulations? Is your compost site appropriate? Can you secure appropriate feedstocks? Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Compost is Stable, soil/humus-like material Rich in organic matter & organisms Free of unpleasant odors Easy to handle Can be stored for long periods Valuable soil & potting media amendment Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
What is Compost, cont.? Value-added product It is not: mulch, fertilizer, manure, peat moss, topsoil It is not just one product! A manufacturing process Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
REDUCTIONS IN DISPOSAL NEEDS REDUCED GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS HEALTHIER SOIL & PLANTS BETTER NUTRIENT CYCLING STIMULATES THE LOCAL ECONOMY EROSION CONTROL & STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
Benefits of Compost on Soil Improves Physical Properties: Increases water retention; improves soil aeration and structural stability; resistance to water and wind erosion; root penetration; soil temperature stabilization. Enhances Chemical Properties: Increases macro-and micronutrient content; availability of beneficial minerals; ph stability; converts nutrients to a more stable form, reducing fertilizer requirements. Improves Biological Properties: Increases the activity of beneficial micro-organisms; promotes root development; can increase agricultural crop yields; suppresses certain plant diseases; acts as biofilter, bonding heavy metals. Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Quality Counts
Quality Defined in relation to its use A compost product that is good for one use, may not be appropriate for another. - Bob Rynk, SUNY Cobleskill Know your product & the business. Know the specifications/customer needs/end uses. One poor batch of compost sold is difficult to overcome. Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Quality begins with the Generator Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
And Feedstocks Control is key! Is it difficult to handle? Do you know the generators? Does it fit your recipe? End product goal? Will it blend well? Texture? Proper moisture? Color? Odor? Is the particle size right? Does it need grinding? Is it relatively free of contaminants? Glass, plastics, etc. Generated regularly in volumes your site can handle? Will generators pay a tip fee or purchase material? Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Healthy biological activity is essential to successful composting setting up the right environment and conditions is fundamental to the process.
Quality & the Operation Site layout Show customers your end product not your feedstock unloading/mixing area Move your oldest product first! Neat site appearance! Product image reflects your operation No weeds! Deal effectively with leachate/ponding View from road? Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
The Operation, cont. Good Neighbor Strategy Know your neighbors & keep them happy Give them compost! Respond appropriately to complaints Grinding, screening, bagging? Does your end product goal require it? Can you afford it? Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Quality Assurance Know & meet the quality requirements for your end market Observe, monitor, sample, analyze, test Keep accurate compost records Track feedstock sources, materials, problems Track lot numbers, problems Track turning frequency, temperature Odor issues Train your staff Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Product Quality Certification Seal of Testing Assurance ( STA /USCC) Woods End R.L./Rodale Quality Seal Soil Foodweb Organics/ Approved for use University Testing Other Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Why Test? Why Certification? Determines conformance with application specifications. Standardization of products, practices, & applications. Helps to improve customer confidence in the compost product and its utilization. Helps compost users purchase the product they need for a particular project. Gets customers to learn the characteristics of compost products they purchase. Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Compost Test At a minimum analyze the basic nutrient content nitrogen, phosphorous, & potassium (N:P:K:) Bioassay testing
Compost Markets
Factors Affecting Compost Demand & Sales Product quality Performance consistency Product availability (meeting demand) Economics of transportation & distance to markets Economics & challenges associated with compost application Industry standards and specifications Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Market Options Erosion Control & Reclamation Agricultural applications Topsoil Nurseries/Silviculture Sod production Turf grass Public Works Construction sites Landfill cover Marginal soils Biofiltering Direct marketing Retail sales Landscapers and Lawn Care Companies Golf Courses Greenhouses Rainwater filters Roof top gardens Compost socks Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Turf & Lawn Applications Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org Compost Socks
Marketing Basics
What is Marketing? Price, promotion, & distribution to satisfy customer needs & wants Analyze market outlets Identify problems, issues, & solutions Niche products or markets to better compete Build/retain a growing base of consumers Repeat customers are essential! Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Marketing Plan Marketing: Essential component of business & business plan Financial lenders want accurate information NERC.org for FREE Resources Clear understanding of: Production Capital requirements Costs Market segments Alternative markets Sales potential Customer needs & purchasing habits The competition Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Marketing Mix: Four P s Product. Right product for your customers Quality, benefits, features, brand, packaging, etc. Price. Right product offered at the right price Place. Right product at the right price available in the right place to be purchased by users Promotion. Making potential customers aware of the product, its price, and availability Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Funding Options Tip Fees Residents Landscapers & other small commercial generators Keep fees lower than solid waste tip fees Sales of compost product Mulch grind brush, wood, pallets Compost quality product can be sold to offset costs
Cost Control Sharing equipment & labor Using available public land Used equipment Calculating avoided disposal costs Reduced soil & fertilizer purchase costs through use of compost
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org Sales Pitch
What is Value? Something associated with your product that is not an ingredient and that customers want and trust. Value-added Product Greater value = customers will pay more Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Starting Out Get your product in front of as many potential customers as possible even if it s at a small profit margin Work on increasing customer base, sales volume, product value Plan for periods when there s no demand Storage and planning for spring Developing potential fall-winter markets Revenue from tip fees Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Sell More Product Sell your brand name (not compost ) Labels, signage, branded apparel Product use sheets Local and environmental benefits Benefits & delivered features: factual statements & favorable attributes Compost Gold contains 10% organic matter. Organic matter helps improve soil water holding capacity Sell results great tomatoes with just one handful Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
What s in a Name?! Superior Products - Seacoast Farms Organic Compost - New Hampshire's Own PayDirt Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
What to Promote Information about your product Feedstocks/Ingredients Test results NPK, organic matter Certifications Educational Information How to use Applications Specifications Customer testimonials Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Website Internet listings Social Media Print material Business cards Postcards, magnets Mailing list Labels Brochure Tools Farmer s Markets Demonstration gardens Seminars/Workshops Traditional advertising Local Shopper PR/News media Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Public Relations Create a public relations plan. Let your neighbors know how you will address potential problems at your facility Be ready to respond if problems occur and identify possible changes Engage in open dialogue Be ready to engage the press Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Public Relations, cont. Know your records, process, problems Be able to address odor issues quickly & effectively Be aware of other potential complaints: vectors, birds, dust, traffic, noise, water contamination Effectively address visual aesthetics Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org Customer Education
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Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org Composting Basics
Composting Controlled, aerobic (requiring oxygen) biological process Results in the decomposition of organic materials Occurs naturally in nature Microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, other organisms) Digest organic residues for food and energy Speeds up the decomposition process Primary end-products carbon dioxide, water, & compost
Compost Process Combining organic materials in proper ratios Containers/vessels, piles, or rows Turn or aerate to mix and invigorate Sufficient moisture to accelerate decomposition Cure finished material maturity
Five Primary Components Feedstock and nutrient balance (Carbon:Nitrogen Ratio) Green materials (Nitrogen) grass clippings, food scraps, manure Brown materials (Carbon) paper, dry leaves, wood shavings, brush Particle size Smaller particles More surface area upon which the microorganisms can feed Help to speed up the decomposition process Help create a more homogeneous compost mixture Larger particles improve porosity (air flow) Mowing, grinding, chipping, or shredding
Five Primary Components, cont. Oxygen flow Aerobic requiring air to be active Turning or placing materials on aeration system Bulking agents wood chips, shredded newspaper Temperature Mesophilic active at lower temperatures Thermophilic above 120 F (131 F) Necessary for more rapid composting Ensure that pathogens & weed seeds are destroyed
Five Primary Components, cont. Moisture content Required to keep the microorganisms in compost alive & active Helps to transport substances within the compost pile Makes nutrients accessible to the microbes Should feel like a damp sponge moist, but not dripping when squeezed
Recycled Organics University www.recycledorganics.com Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Elements of Composting Aeration:Oxygen concentrations 10-14+% Carbon to Nitrogen (C:N) Ratio: 20:1-60:1 Preferred 30:1-50:1 Moisture: 40 to 65 percent Preferred 50 60% Like a damp sponge
Elements of Composting, cont. Temperature 120-160 F Process to Further Reduce Pathogens (PFRP) 131 F for 3-15 days (fof system)
Elements of Composting, cont. Bulk density < 1000 lbs. per cubic yard Particle size (diameter in mm) between 25-50 mm are generally considered optimal Porosity, structure, texture -particle size, shape & consistency influence aeration Adjust with bulking agents raw materials Compost recipe Grinding or mixing
Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency Who s Doing it? Aerated static pile to manage yard waste, food scraps, & other organics Tip fee $50/ton for separated organics (vs. $100/ton LF) Currently accepting food waste from supermarkets, grocers, and restaurants
Grow Ulster Green Compostis $30.00 per ton. Compost is sold in BULK only. Grow Ulster Green Compostis a blend of compost made from locally sourced food waste and yard waste. This compost product is screened to 3/8 inch minus and certified by the US Composting Council s Seal of Testing Assurance Program. Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency
Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency USCC Certified 33 retail outlets Bulk sales onsite RFP for bag sales & distribution Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Windham Solid Waste District Brattleboro, Vermont curbside food scraps collection Drop-off food scraps collection at transfer stations Tipping fee $65/ton; sell compost for $20/cy Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. www.nerc.org
Grow Compost Vermont
Community Composting
Skowhegan, Maine Yard trimmings, brush, leaves, manure, food scraps composted at town transfer station Two certified compost operators manage the facility 800 yards of compost per year
St. George, Maine Transfer Station accepts yard trimmings, manure, food scraps (no meat or dairy), wet & waxed cardboard from residents Town website promotes the compost operation & backyard composting as a way to reduce the town s overall disposal costs
NERC Can Help We re experts in Waste reduction & recycling Recycling program design & implementation Organics management Green procurement C&D reuse & recycling Electronics recycling School reuse, recycling & composting Textile recycling programs Multi-stakeholder dialogues & negotiations & More! Fee for service program makes NERC s sustainable materials management expertise available at a reasonable price with outstanding results Athena Lee Bradley athena@nerc.org 802.254.3636 www.nerc.org