Composting & Organics Resources

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Innovated Uses | Reports | Links | Publications | 2006 Manufactured Soils Conf. Presentations

Pennsylvanina Department of Transportation (PennDOT) information on Compost Use:

Mulching: Section 805
ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/Bureaus/design/Pub408/Change9/Pub408Change9/Section800/Section805.pdf

Pennsylvania Agriculture Statistics Annual Statistical Bulletin
This annual report is about 140 pages long and contains state and county statistics for the major agricultural item s produced in Pennsylvania.

PROP's Composting Facilities Directory - PROP's ongoing project of listing the Composting Facilities throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Compost Directory

Leaf & Yard Waste Collection

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.

Reforestation, Wetlands Restoration, and Habitat Revitalization - Original wetland plants can be restored with the use of compost during planting. Compost provides tree seedlings added rigor for survival and growth.

Reports & Guidance Documents:

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.

Links:

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.