Colorado Compost Community Forms State Composting Council Chapter
Rocky Mt. Organics Council, Colorado Association for Recycling Partner with USCC
The State of Colorado has formed a regional chapter to promote the compost manufacturing industry under the umbrella of the US Composting Council, the group announced today.
The Colorado Composting Council (COCC) is now an official USCC chapter, grown from the Rocky Mountain Organics Council of the Colorado Association for Recycling (CAFR).
“We believe this move will give us a stronger voice within the state of Colorado to affect matters related to organics recycling and create new value for our membership,” said Dan Matsch, president of the COCC. “We look forward to working with the USCC and other state chapters to maximize the many new opportunities for the compost industry to support resource conservation and environmental sustainability.”
The group currently has about 30 active members and will work to promote the industry and educate state regulators, local officials and the public about the importance of the compost manufacturing industry to local waste management programs, jobs and business development and use of compost in commercial and residential landscaping, for stormwater management, erosion control and green infrastructure needs and its beneficial impact on carbon sequestration. Members of the COCC will work with USCC to take positions on regulations and legislation that affect the industry and the market for compost in the state.
“The USCC — and the compost industry — is strongest in states like Colorado where there is an organized group from the industry,” said Frank Franciosi, executive director of the USCC. “We support chapters because they can directly touch the members we work to serve.”
Colorado becomes the fifth regional chapter of the USCC, which is growing due to the increased diversion efforts of communities who are removing food scraps along with traditional yard trimmings and other organics from disposal. The demand side of the industry is expanding with the growing recognition of the beneficial uses of compost.
California, Minnesota, Virginia and North Carolina all have USCC chapters, and an organizational committee is in formation in the Maryland-DC Region.
Members of the Colorado Composting Council’s board include: Matsch, of Eco-Cycle, Bob Yost of A1 Organics, Bryce Isaacson of Western Disposal, and Sarah Martinez of Eco Products.
For information about the Colorado Chapter, contact Dan Matsch, dan@ecocycle.org. For more information on How to Start a State Chapter contact Linda Norris-Waldt at membership@old.compostingcouncil.org.
