USCC members from the State of Florida have affiliated with the US Composting Council as an official chapter to promote the compost manufacturing industry. The Florida Composting Council (FLCC) 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. Officially, FLCC becomes a chapter through the affiliation of Recycle Florida Today (RFT), Florida’s state recycling organization and premier association educating recycling and environmental professionals throughout Florida from both the public, private and non-profit sectors.
“It was only natural to become a partner and share resources to expand the use of organics and, of course, the benefits for the overall environment are tremendous,” said Carmen Bruno, Hernando County, Florida, Solid Waste Operations Manager and RFT chair.
“We are excited about the Florida Composting Council Chapter and USCC affiliation to help lead Florida’s efforts in advocacy, education and member training for the goal of advancing composting and organics recycling in the state of Florida,” said Heather Armstrong, executive director for RFT.
The group, which is seeking Florida members, will 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, as well as the benefits of using compost in commercial and residential landscaping, and for storm water management, erosion control and green infrastructure. The FLCC 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. “RFT has long nurtured the organics industry through its organics committee and we are delighted to welcome the new chapter under its umbrella.”
“Florida is one of the top agricultural producers in the country,” said Chris Snow, vice president of corporate operations, Veransa, Inc., RFT board treasurer and co –chair of the organics recycling committee. “It makes sense that Florida would put an increased emphasis on large-scale composting, to reuse organic matter that holds water better than manufactured, chemical fertilizers, has the beneficial microbes that support plant growth and supports climate change initiatives.”
The Florida chapter becomes the fifteenth chapter of the USCC. California, Minnesota, Colorado, Virginia, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and North Carolina all have USCC Chapters, and a committee is operating in the Maryland-DC region.
For more information, visit www.compostingcouncil.org.