Composting Council starts Georgia chapter

The United States Composting Council (USCC), Raleigh, North Carolina, has formed the Georgia Composting Council (GACC), which will be based in Atlanta.

The GACC is an official chapter of the USCC and, as a nonprofit organization, will be dedicated to increasing the use and production of compost in Georgia.

“The chapter’s role is to promote the composting industry and the reduction, reuse and recycling of organic material through the support of infrastructure development, quality control, training, legislative and regulatory advocacy and public education throughout the state," the USCC says.

“Adding Georgia as our 16th state chapter helps to support our national efforts to bring composting and compost use to the forefront of organic recycling,” USCC Executive Director Frank Franciosi says.

“The mission of the Georgia Composting Council is to elevate sustainable materials management and improve soil health via composting organic materials at the back yard, community and large-scale manufacturing levels in Georgia, assuring all Georgians have access to composting options and education," adds Gloria Hardegree, executive director of the Georgia Recycling Coalition and founding member of the new state chapter.

According to the associations, food residuals make up 12 percent of the waste sent to Georgia landfills each year, or some 800,000 tons, with approximately 48 percent of that coming from the greater Atlanta area. Additionally, 65 percent of organic residuals from water and wastewater utilities currently are sent to landfills in the state.

“I’m thrilled that Georgia’s Compost Association has officially reached state chapter status with the USCC," says Wayne King, founder of Georgia-based compost manufacturer ERTH Products LLC. "The organic recycling and compost manufacturing industry has enjoyed significant growth over the past 25 years. With growth comes the need for an increase in education, certification and market development resources.”

Composting food residuals and other organic matter keeps these materials out of landfills and reduces methane emissions, while the compost produced to soil improves water infiltration and retention, reduces erosion, sequesters carbon and contributes to plant health.

The GACC is in the process of recruiting members from the public and private sector, including industry, nonprofits, institutions, academia and government agencies, say the two groups. The GACC urges people who have an interest in the many beneficial aspects of composting to contact the organization at garecycles@mindspring.com.