[USCC] Subject: Compost Standards
Will Brinton
wfbr17 at woodsend.org
Fri Aug 15 10:29:35 CDT 2008
James:
For a broader perspective I'd urge you to also look at international standards. We reported on these for NYSAR (available at www.woodsend.org/pdf-files/nysar-ne.pdf), though that report now needs updating, and in a WRAP project comparing 13 countries for compost standards (see wrap.org.uk) and if is hard to find let me know.
Most developed countries now have separate rules and quality guidelines for Green composts (i.e. clean green waste) distinct from sludge regulation. The USEPA rule was of course specifically developed for sludges and should not be extrapolated to non sludge composts without some caution- although it is a useful high water mark. One difficulty we encounter is it provides poor structure for interpreting waste contamination where you want to improve the materials, and poor guidance in meaningful application rates for non sludges. Sludge and sludge compost application rate are frequently rate limited not by metals but by N and P content, which is implicit in the structure of the EPA rule. In the case of normal composts, this is rarely the case, -- a N-P limit on application might allow you to go to 200 ton/acres, and growing media uses at 30% of container volume are roguhly equivalent to 800 tons/acre. None of this was anticipated in the EPA Rule.
Unfortunately, States in their wisdom when extrapolating the sludge based EPA rule to all other composts (understandably to save effort and debate in trying to develop new standards), left out a great deal of useful structure in EPA 503 rule, including what I mentioned about calculating N-P nutrient-management based application rates, plus the concept of PFRP ( a few states use it) and especially cumulative soil loading, absent in most state protocols. A Yale intern here did a survey with us and found only 22 states have any clear compost standards at all, and those that adapted the 503 rule but left out essential and critical information contained within it, making it it - if you will- really an empty shell.
Several states in Europe have 2 / 3 level quality implied in compost
rules, and this has been worked on by industry and growers over many
years. I'd urge you particularly to look at those. The Swiss anticipated
that the highest and best use of compost might be horticulture and
intensive gardening, and made a useful set of protocols to assure it
meets reasonable minimum standards there, while permitting field rates
and other applications with higher limits associated.
W Brinton
> Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 10:12 AM
> To: Compost Discussion List
> Cc: Underwood Robert (DNREC); Nielsen Debra D. (DNREC)
> Subject: [USCC] Compost Standards
>
> We are interested in compost standards, including metals and organic
> compound contaminant limits, which have been established by state
> environmental agencies for commercial composting facilities where the
> outlets for finished product include the residential as well as the
> commercial sector. Any assistance with or web links and contact
> information for these standards would be appreciated.
>
>
>
> James D. Short
>
> Environmental Scientist IV
>
> Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Branch
>
> Phone: 302-739-9403
>
> Fax: 302-739-5060
>
> Email : james.short at state.de.us
>
>
>
> Integrity, Respect, Customer Focus
>
>
>
> _______________________________________
> Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show
> January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX.
> The National forum for those involved in the development and expansion of
> the composting and organics recycling industry.
> Conference Highlights, Registration forms, Exhibitor information and
> Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website:
> www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
> ____________________________________________________________________________
> __
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> _______________________________________
> This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
> (c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
>
> Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or
> the Board of Directors.
>
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>
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>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject:
> Re: [USCC] Compost Standards
> From:
> "William (Bill) Carter" <WCARTER at tceq.state.tx.us>
> Date:
> Wed, 13 Aug 2008 07:37:45 -0500
> To:
> "Compost Discussion List" <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
>
> To:
> "Compost Discussion List" <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
>
>
> James,
>
> Texas end-product compost standards apply only to facilities composting mixed waste (permitted facilities) or sewage sludge (registered facilities) and similar materials. The standards for permitted facilities are at http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=30&pt=1&ch=332&rl=71
> Compost from registered facilities must comply with the state rules for sewage sludge use, treatment and disposal -- see http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=4&ti=30&pt=1&ch=312
>
>
>
> Bill Carter
> Water Quality Monitoring & Assessment MC 165
> Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
> P.O. Box 13087
> Austin, TX 78711-3087
> Phone: 512-239-6771
> Fax: 512-239-4410
> wcarter at tceq.state.tx.us
>
>
>>>> "Short James (DNREC)" <James.Short at state.de.us> 8/12/2008 9:12 AM >>>
>>>>
> We are interested in compost standards, including metals and organic
> compound contaminant limits, which have been established by state
> environmental agencies for commercial composting facilities where the
> outlets for finished product include the residential as well as the
> commercial sector. Any assistance with or web links and contact
> information for these standards would be appreciated.
>
>
>
> James D. Short
>
> Environmental Scientist IV
>
> Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Branch
>
> Phone: 302-739-9403
>
> Fax: 302-739-5060
>
> Email : james.short at state.de.us
>
>
>
> Integrity, Respect, Customer Focus
>
>
>
> _______________________________________
> Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show
> January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX.
> The National forum for those involved in the development and expansion of the composting and organics recycling industry.
> Conference Highlights, Registration forms, Exhibitor information and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website: www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
> _______________________________________
> This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
> (c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
>
> Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or the Board of Directors.
>
> Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm
>
> Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>
> For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject:
> Re: [USCC] Compost salts and grass
> From:
> "Glass, Steve J." <SGlass at abcwua.org>
> Date:
> Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:14:00 -0600
> To:
> "Compost Discussion List" <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
>
> To:
> "Compost Discussion List" <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
>
>
> Hi, Ron -
>
> It's been a while!
>
> We've done new grass in parks, golf courses and highways with our biosolids compost (>10 mmho/cm in saturated paste) for years. Call Greg Baker at (505) 827-2780 or Joe Bailey at (505) 205-5721 for details.
>
> Steve Glass
> Albuquerque
> (505) 873-6955
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "alexassoc at earthlink.net" <alexassoc at earthlink.net>
> To: "compostlist" <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
> Sent: 8/12/2008 7:12 PM
> Subject: [USCC] Compost salts and grass
>
> Hello Compost World,
>
> Has anyone out there had any experience with using compost to establish turf
> (soil inc) with a compost possessing a salt content of 5-10 dS/m in arid
> conditions (less than 10-15" rain)?
>
> Did you experience any seed establishment problems? Were you able to
> dissipate the salts?
>
> Thanks,
> Ron
>
>
>
> Ron Alexander
> R. Alexander Associates, Inc.
> 1212 Eastham Drive
> Apex, NC 27502
> USA
> 919-367-8350
> 919-367-8351 fax
> alexassoc at earthlink.net
> www.alexassoc.net
>
>
> _______________________________________
> Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show
> January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX.
> The National forum for those involved in the development and expansion of the composting and organics recycling industry.
> Conference Highlights, Registration forms, Exhibitor information and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website: www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
> _______________________________________
> This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
> (c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
>
> Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or the Board of Directors.
>
> Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm
>
> Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>
> For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject:
> [USCC] Salt tests in compost
> From:
> Will Brinton <wfbr17 at woodsend.org>
> Date:
> Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:38:42 -0400
> To:
> compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
>
> To:
> compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
>
>
> Which test was performed? If the salt test you refer to is the TMECC
> test (1:5) dilution it is equivalent to a standard saturated paste
> soil salinity of about 20-40 mmhos/cm, which is quite high. Otherwise,
> 5-10 by the soil method is not as serious.
>
> W Brinton
> Woods End Labs
>> Today's Topics:
>>
>> 1. Compost Standards (Short James (DNREC))
>> 2. Compost salts and grass (alexassoc at earthlink.net)
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Has anyone out there had any experience with using compost to
>> establish turf
>> (soil inc) with a compost possessing a salt content of 5-10 dS/m in arid
>> conditions (less than 10-15" rain)?
>> Did you experience any seed establishment problems? Were you able to
>> dissipate the salts?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Ron
>>
>>
>>
>> Ron Alexander
>> R. Alexander Associates, Inc.
>> 1212 Eastham Drive
>> Apex, NC 27502
>> USA
>> 919-367-8350
>> 919-367-8351 fax
>> alexassoc at earthlink.net
>> www.alexassoc.net
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> _______________________________________
>> Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade
>> Show
>> January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX.
>> The National forum for those involved in the development and
>> expansion of the composting and organics recycling industry.
>> Conference Highlights, Registration forms, Exhibitor information and
>> Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website:
>> www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
>> _______________________________________
>> Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
>> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>> _______________________________________
>> This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
>> (c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights
>> reserved
>>
>> Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the
>> Foundation, or the Board of Directors.
>>
>> Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its
>> website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm
>>
>> Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have
>> their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and
>> information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other
>> options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>>
>> For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems,
>> send a message to the List Manager at
>> compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________
> Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show
> January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX.
> The National forum for those involved in the development and expansion of the composting and organics recycling industry.
> Conference Highlights, Registration forms, Exhibitor information and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website: www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
> _______________________________________
> Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
> _______________________________________
> This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
> (c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
>
> Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or the Board of Directors.
>
> Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm
>
> Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>
> For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org
--
William F Brinton Jr., Ph.D.
Woods End Laboratories
207 293 2457 ext. 17
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