New Jersey Forms US Composting Council Chapter New Committee to Champion Compost Production/Organics Recycling in State

Morristown, NJ–USCC members from the State of New Jersey have affiliated with the US Composting Council as an official committee to promote the compost manufacturing industry under the umbrella of the USCC, it was announced today.

The New Jersey Compost Committee (NJCC) has been organized by a group of USCC members working in the consulting, non-profit, public education and legal fields. These members are working towards a more robust organics and food waste recycling industry in the state.

“Our group wants to work with state regulators and legislators to make it easier to open a compost production business here, and to educate our citizens about the importance of organics recycling,” said Jairo E. Gonzalez, Vice chair NJ USCC.

The group, which is seeking New Jersey members, will educate state regulators, local officials and the public about the importance of the compost manufacturing industry to local waste management programs, and jobs and business development, as well as the benefits of using compost in commercial and residential landscaping, and for storm water management, erosion control and green infrastructure. The Committee and USCC will jointly 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 most effective in states where a local and organized industry group is at the table,” said Frank Franciosi, executive director of the USCC. “Our chapters are important because their leadership is directly in touch with the members we work to serve.”

The New Jersey Committee becomes the ninth regional chapter of the USCC. Committees are groups on a path to become full-fledged Charter Chapters. The industry is expanding due to increased efforts at removing food scraps from disposal along with traditional yard trimmings. The demand side of the industry is expanding with the growing recognition of the beneficial uses of compost.

California, Minnesota, Colorado, Virginia and North Carolina all have USCC Chapters, and Committees have been founded in Illinois and the Maryland-DC region.

For information about the New Jersey chapter, contact NJCC Co-Chair Jairo E. Gonzalez at jairo@njcomposting.com or to start a chapter, contact USCC Membership Manager Linda Norris-Waldt at lnorriswaldt@old.compostingcouncil.org.