Seal of Testing Assurance

The US COMPOSTING COUNCIL SEAL OF TESTING ASSURANCE PROGRAM (STA)

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The US Composting Council, formed in 1990, is a national, non-profit trade and professional organization promoting the recycling of organic materials through composting. It's the only national organization committed to the advancement of the composting industry.

 

Prior to 2000 there were no uniform, nationally accepted tests or laboratory analyzes for compost. Different labs performed different tests in different parts of the U.S. Everyone had a different answer to the question "What is compost?"

 

A consensus building process that involved compost research scientists and compost experts from across the US was formed to uniformly answer this question. The USCC Seal of Testing Assurance Program (STA) was an outgrowth of this process.

 

The STA program involves compost testing, labeling, and information disclosure designed to give the public the information needed to maximize the benefits of using compost. Compost producers who participate in the STA program test and label their product just like any other mainstream horticultural product on the market.

 

The goal of this program is to increase consumer confidence when using compost and increase the ultimate success of compost use in the field. The US Composting Council Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) creates a standard across the composting industry. All compost producers who participate in the program must test their products using the same test methods to measure the same properties so that the user can easily compare one product to another.

  

Some of the major elements of the STA program involve:

  • Regular sampling and testing of compost products.
  • Specific required lab tests that assure the protection of the environment and public health and safety.
  • Requiring lab analysis to be completed in labs certified to participate in this program.
  • Requiring compost producers to provide lab analysis at a prescribed frequency to the USCC.
  • Making test results available to any person who requests them. These results must include directions for product use, a list of product ingredients and test resulst from a certified STA lab.
  • Certification that participating composting facilities are in compliance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations.

Visit the USCC at www.compostingcouncil.org

To learn more about this program go to: http://compostingcouncil.org/sta-benefits/

 

As participants of this program, the City of Los Angeles prepares a quarterly lab analysis of our STA registered compost products, Griffith Park compost (TOPGRO®) and our horse manure compost at the Lopez Canyon Environmental and Education Center, using only STA certified laboratories.

 

Our compost is tested for various compost properties (such as pH, nitrogen) as well as bacterial and metal contaminants. Based on these test results, we've developed Compost User Guidelines to help you make best use of our compost.

  

LABORATORY TEST RESULTS

 

Copies of the most current quarterly lab STA data sheets for Griffith Park Biosolids Compost and for Lopez Canyon Manure Compost as well as bi-monthly lab STA data sheets for Lopez Canyon Green Giveaway can be obtained here:

 

Griffith Park Biosolids Compost



Lopez Canyon Manure Compost



Lopez Canyon Green Giveaway


  

COMPOST USER GUIDELINES

 

Biosolids/Zoo Manure/Green Trimmings/Wood (TOPGRO®)


Directions for Compost Mix Suggested Use:

  • First year — Cultivate one inch of compost into the top six to eight inches of soil.
  • Second to fourth year — Cultivate half an inch of compost into a depth of three - four inches.
  • Fifth year — Re-apply at the original rates (first year and second to fourth years).


As the organic content builds in a garden soil, the application rate should be reduced.
3 yd3 covers 1,000 ft2 approximately 1 inch deep.


Compost needs to be thoroughly mixed. Do not leave compost in chunks, as this will interfere with root growth and soil water movement.


It is recommended that you test your soil yearly to monitor the specific needs of your soil and to detect potential accumulation of salts when using any biosolids containing compost over a long period of time.

 

This compost product has been sampled and tested as required by the Seal of Testing Assurance Program of the United States Composting Council (USCC). Test results are available upon request by calling information line at (818) 485-0703. The USCC makes no warranties regarding this product or its contents, quality, or suitability for any particular use.

 

For additional information pertaining to compost use, the specific compost parameters tested for within the Seal of Testing Assurance Program, or the Program in general, log on to the US Composting Council's web-site www.compostingcouncil.org.

 

Horse Manure/Yard Trimmings/Wood


Directions for Compost Mix Suggested Use:

  • First year — Cultivate one inch of compost into the top six to eight inches of soil.
  • Second to fourth year — Cultivate half an inch of compost into a depth of three - four inches.
  • Fifth year — Re-apply at the original rates (first year and second to fourth years).


As the organic content builds in a garden soil, the application rate should be reduced.
3 yd3 covers 1,000 ft2 approximately 1 inch deep.


Compost needs to be thoroughly mixed. Do not leave compost in chunks, as this will interfere with root growth and soil water movement.


It is recommended that you test your soil yearly to monitor the specific needs of your soil and to detect potential accumulation of salts when using any manure containing compost over a long period of time.


This compost product has been sampled and tested as required by the Seal of Testing Assurance Program of the United States Composting Council (USCC). Test results are available upon request by calling information line at (818) 485-0703. The USCC makes no warranties regarding this product or its contents, quality, or suitability for any particular use.

 

For additional information pertaining to compost use, the specific compost parameters tested for within the Seal of Testing Assurance Program, or the Program in general, log on to the US Composting Council's web-site www.compostingcouncil.org.