[USCC] Federal Environmental Procurement Preferences for Compost

[Craig Coker]

Colleagues:

 

Does anyone know of a project by a Federal agency, a Federal contractor or a
State agency using Federal funds that purchased compost (or compost-based
soil) under either EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines program or
USDA's BioPreferred Program?

 

The CPG is a system where Federal agencies (also State and local agencies,
and contractors working with Federal funds) must preferentially purchase
products containing the highest percentage of recovered materials
practicable.  Procuring agencies are defined as: 1) any Federal agency; 2)
any state or local agencies using appropriated federal funds for a
procurement; or 3) any contractors with these agencies (with respect to work
performed under the contract). This would include composts made from
biosolids, manures, food waste and from yard wastes.

 

Under the USDA program, Federal agencies and contractors are required to
purchase USDA-designated biobased items unless they determine that products
are not reasonably available, fail to meet performance standards, or are
available at an unreasonable price.  A biobased material is an organic
material in which carbon is derived from a renewable resource via biological
processes. The one biobased item on the USDA list that pertains to compost
is "fertilizers" which must have a minimum 71% biobased content.  USDA
defines "fertilizers" as "products formulated or processed to provide
nutrients for plant growth and/or beneficial bacteria to convert nutrients
into plant usable forms.  Biobased fertilizers, which are likely to consist
mostly of biobased components, may include both biobased and chemical
components."

 

Thanks much for any leads you could offer on this.

 

Regards,

Craig

 

Craig Coker | Coker Composting & Consulting

1213 Spradlin Rd., Vinton, VA 24179

Tel.: (540) 890-1086, Fax: (540) 890-1087

Cell: (540) 874-5168, Email: cscoker at verizon.net

Web: www.cokercompost.com.

 

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