DEP, along with the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania (PROP), offered an interactive video conference March 25, 2003 on the topic of Leaf & Yard
Waste Collection.
Innovative Uses
of Composting
Bioremediation and Pollution Prevention - A new compost technology, known as compost
bioremediation, is currently being used to restore contaminated soils, manage stormwater, control
odors, and degrade volatile organic compounds.
Disease Control For Plants and Animals - Compost technology is already being used to increase
yields by farmers interested in sustainable agriculture. Now, these farmers are discovering that
compost-enriched soil can also help suppress diseases and ward off pests. This beneficial use of
compost can help farmers save money, reduce their use of pesticides, and conserve natural resources.
In the poultry industry,composting has also become a cost-effective method of mortality management.
It destroys disease organisms and creates a nutrient-rich product that can be used or sold.
Erosion Control, Turf Remediation, and Landscaping - Compost-enriched soil can reduce erosion and
nutrient run-off, alleviate soil compaction, and help control disease and pest infestation in plants.
Compost can increase healthy plant production, help save money, and reduce the use of chemical fertilizers.
Composting of Soils
Contaminated By Explosives - Soil at more than 30 munitions sites across the United States is
contaminated with explosives. The U.S. military has discovered that composting can effectively be
used to remediate this soil.
Pennsylvania
Organics Task Force Report - An Organics Recycling Task Force was
created to review how to promote responsible organics recycling and produced
this report detailing concerns and sketching a plan for the future of
composting and organics recycling.
Clopyralid
in Compost - Several reports and studies can be found on our resource
page on herbicides in compost.
The
US Composting Council - The USCC is a trade and professional organization
promoting compostand is involved in research, public education, composting
and compost standards, and the expansion of compost markets.
The Mid-Atlantic
Composting Association - MACA advocates market development to support
composting and environmental quality in the mid-Atlantic states. The Association
promotes science-based research, education, standards, and regulations
for a sustainable composting industry.
Cornell
University - Cornell University is perhaps the nation's foremost academic
authority on composting education and related resources.
Backyard Magic: The
Composting Handbook (excellent and colorful reference)
Soil Mender Products - Soil Mender Products is a family-owned company with over fifteen years of experience in the composting business. Our goal is to form a relationship with our customers and offer them a consistent, high-quality line of soil conditioning products. Soil Mender Products manufactures three soil amendment product lines - Back to Earth, Soil Mender, and Yum Yum Mix, each unique in its own way.
howtocompost.org - This site is intended to serve as a hub of information for
anyone interested in the various aspects of composting.
Publications:
Biocycle
- This professional journal focuses on organics collection, a wide variety
of composting operations, and related recycling subjects.
Compost
Science & Utilization - This quarterly peer-reviewed journal focuses
on management to improve compost process control and product quality.
The New
Farm - The Rodale Institute® is devoted to innovative agriculture
research, outreach and training through The New Farm® regenerative
agriculture programs.
Organic Gardening
- Organic Gardening magazine has long been the bible of composters and
organic gardeners and now has an extensive website to supplement its magazine.
Resource
Recycling - Though much of this magazine looks at recycling of containers,
fibers, and special recyclables, they also examine composting related
subjects.
