Virginia Forms Composting Chapter to Raise Profile

Virginia has formed a regional chapter of the U.S. Composting Council.

The goal of the new Virginia Composting Council (VCC) is to bring together compost manufacturers, municipal managers, organics collectors, researchers and other compost allies for Virginia projects, said Pieter Conradie of Draper Aden Associates, the group’s current president.

The group has about 30 active members that will work to promote composting and educate state regulators, local officials and the public about composting’s value, according to a news release. The VCC will develop positions on regulations and legislation that affect composting and the market.

Virginia becomes the fourth regional chapter of the Composting Council. The other chapters are California, Minnesota and North Carolina. More informal groups are operating in the Maryland-Delaware region and Colorado.

The Composting Council said it is growing because increased efforts by communities to divert food waste from disposal. Demand is growing with increased awareness of composting’s beneficial uses.