Compost Regulations & Markets

Who’s on First ….?Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME)

Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ)

Compost Council of Canada (CCC)

Who’s on First ….?Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Fertilizer Act and RegulationsCanadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME)

Guidelines for Compost QualityBureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ)

Organic Soil Conditioners - Composts

Composting Council of Canada (CCC)

Compost Quality Alliance

Distinctions

Regulatory

CFIA – if you sell it

CCME – if you produce it --->

provincial “waste” focus

Voluntary

BNQ – incremental values

CCC – agronomic parameters

The Parameters

Based on Health & Safety:

Foreign MatterMaturity

PathogensTrace Elements

CategoriesCategory A – “unrestricted use”

Category B – restricted use as decided by province/territory

Differentiation

trace elements sharp foreign matter

Trace ElementsCategory A Category B(mg/kg dry wt) (mg/kg dry wt)

Essential orBeneficial to Plants or AnimalsArsenic (As) 13 75Cobalt (Co) 34 150Chromium (Cr) 210 **Copper (Cu) 400 **Molybdenum (Mo) 5 20Nickel (Ni) 62 180Selenium (Se) 2 14Zinc (Zn) 700 1850OtherCadmium (Cd) 3 20Mercury (Hg) 0.8 5 Lead (Pb) 150 500

Trace ElementsMaximum Cumulative Additions to Soil

kg/haEssential orBeneficial to Plants or AnimalsArsenic (As) 15Cobalt (Co) 30Chromium (Cr) **Copper (Cu) **Molybdenum (Mo) 4Nickel (Ni) 36Selenium (Se) 2.8Zinc (Zn) 370OtherCadmium (Cd) 4Mercury (Hg) 1 Lead (Pb) 100

Foreign Mattera. Sharp Foreign Matter

Cat. A: no greater than 3mm per 500mL Cat. B: < 3 pieces per 500mL; : max. dimension = 12.5mmb. Other

Cat. A: no more than 1 piece > 25mm per 500mL

Cat. B: no more than 2 pieces > 25mm per 500mL

MaturityTo be considered mature, the compost shall be

cured for a minimum of 21 days and meet one of the following 3 requirements:

i. The respiration rate is less than, or equal to, 400mg of O2 /kg of volatile solids/hour;

ii. Carbon dioxide evolution rate is less than, or equal to, 4mg of carbon in the form of CO2/kg of organic matter/day;

iii. The temperature rise of the compost above ambient temperature is less than 8ºC

Pathogens

When compost contains only yard waste:- Either in-vessel or aerated static pile = 55ºC or greater

for 3 days- Windrow = 55ºC or greater for 15 days (plus during high

temp. period, turned 5x)ORFecal Coliforms <1000mg MPN/g of total solids calculated

on a dry weight basisNo Salmonella sp. with a detection level < 3 MPN/4g of

total solids calculated on a dry weight basis

Pathogens

When compost contains other feedstock:- Either in-vessel or aerated static pile = 55ºC or greater

for 3 days- Windrow = 55ºC or greater for 15 days (plus during high

temp. period, turned 5x)ANDFecal Coliforms <1000mg MPN/g of total solids calculated

on a dry weight basisNo Salmonella sp. with a detection level < 3 MPN/4g of

total solids calculated on a dry weight basis

CFIA

Need to declare:

- Organic Matter- Moisture Content

Trace Elements: Equivalent to Category B

CFIAThe total organic matter content must not be less than 15% of

the total weight of the compost product. The actual organic matter content must not have a deficiency of greater than 15 % of the guaranteed amount upon analysis.

The moisture content must not exceed 65% of the net weight for all types of compost and composted manure. The actual moisture content must not be in excess of 15% of the guaranteed amount upon analysis.

Fertilizer Act & RegulationsYou choose the “claim” path:

- Soil Amendment- Fertilizer

Absolute declarations:- Organic Matter- Moisture Content

T-4-120 - Regulation of Compost under the Fertilizers

Act and Regulations http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/fereng/tmemo/t-4-120e.shtml

Composted ManureCompost produced using the organic matter fraction of the excreta of

animals or birds, with or without litter.

The compost may use as little as 60% manure and as much as 40% of a carbon source, if the ratio reflects the need for a carbon source when composting the manure, and if the carbon source includes only materials that may be used as litter, such as straw, hay, bark, sawdust, wood chips, shavings, leaves, grass, wood chunks (such as branches and leaves), tree clippings and plant residues but not including treated wood or materials that have been chemically or biologically contaminated.

Composted Manure

Need to provide Nutrient Guarantees(N-P-K)

Size of Font

Fertilizer Claims• Anything referencing “growth”• Need to acknowledge N-P-K and state minimum

values• Need to have proof of claims• Be aware of type size

Soil Amendment• Stay away from growth claims

---> otherwise your product becomes a fertilizer

Whether Packaged or Sold in Bulk• Product Name• Net weight• Name and address of the registrant or the responsible

packager• Lot number• Guaranteed analysis• Directions for Use• Cautionary statements (if applicable)

LabellingIf any ingredient is indicated on the product label

then all must be listed on the label.

Example, ingredients: compost (made of crab, algae and wood chips), potassium nitrate, and ammonium phosphate).

LabellingIf other ingredients are added to the compost

they must be stated in the product name. For example, a product cannot be called

"compost" if it contains compost mixed with other materials, such as a chemical fertilizer.

Net WeightAll compost product are sold by weight, and must

be described in grams (g) or kilograms (kg). If desired, volume in litres (L) or millilitres (ml)

may be included in addition to the weight of the product.E.g. Net weight: 10 kg, Net volume: 25 L

Lot NumberAll supplement (and as of July 12, 2007, all

fertilizer, except for customer-formula fertilizer) products must bear a lot number on their product label or shipping bill.

Products Represented as Organic - International or Interprovincial

Organic Products RegulationsAs of December 14, 2008, the term “organic”

(“biologique” in French) and the specified “Canada Organic” logo for international or interprovincial trade will not be permitted on fertilizer and supplement product labels unless the products have been certified by a certification body accredited by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's, Organic Office.

The Big 4Topsoil

Growing MixesMulches

Fertilizers

Rod Fry Envirem Technologies

Market Opportunities• Landscaping• Specialty Soil Mixes• Residential Gardening• Agriculture

• Erosion Control• Wetland Construction• Bioremediation

Market Dynamics

Bag versus Bulk

Volume versus Dollar

Volume• Agriculture• Silviculture• Transportation and Natural Resources

Agencies• Sod Markets• Mine Reclamation• Landfill Cover

Dollar• Nurseries• Landscapers• Topsoil Blenders• Retail-Garden Centres• Sports Turf• Specialty Markets

Topsoil and Triple Mix Manufacturers

Compost is purchased to create blended or manufactured soils which compete against traditional topsoil.

Generally, triple mix involves a selection of three inputs from the following: manure, peat moss, compost, sand, vermiculite, worm castings, topsoil and bark.

Compost’s organic matter and micro-/macro-nutrient content are considered of value.

LandscapingCompost is used in a variety of

applications, primarily as a soil amendment and as a manufactured soil. It is also used as a mulch and topdressing.

Uses:1. Flower/garden bed establishment2. Planter mix component (e.g., raised

flower beds, rooftop mixes)3. Tree/shrub backfill mix component4. Manufactured topsoil component5. Decorative plant mulch6. Turf establishment/renovation and

maintenance7. Turf topdressing8. Organic fertilizer

Sports TurfThese sites are used intensively and are

subject to severe soil compaction.

Compost’s value = contributes to the soil’s texture, lessening compaction, enabling

root development and moisture retention. It also helps provide nutrients and aids in

disease suppression.

NurseriesBlended as part of a growing media for containers and

incorporated as a soil amendment in field applications.

Compost’s benefits include: the supplying of micronutrients, disease suppression properties and stronger plant growth in a shorter time period. Not all compost can be used in all nursery applications, rather, compost quality needs to be matched carefully with plant production requirements

AgricultureCompost helps improve organic matter content, soil

quality and provides disease suppression properties.

While compost cannot compete directly with fertilizers, more and more compost marketing programs are identifying a financial value for compost’s nutrient content and linking this feature with the benefit of reduced fertilizer purchases.

Slope Stabilization, Erosion and Sediment Control

Value of compost as a replacement to traditional erosion control management tools such as silt fences, woven blankets, straw mats and hydroseeding. Compost helps to establish vegetative cover quickly, improves water retention and soil texture and reduces runoff. Compost can also help remove sediment.

Uses:1. Soil blanket 2. Filter berms3. Media for vegetation

Revegetation & ReclamationCompost can help improve soil

quality, reduce erosion and support plant establishment.

It has been used to revive “dead”/contaminated soil, reduce the bioavailability of heavy metals as well as degrade/alter many types of contaminants including hydrocarbons, heavy metals, pesticides and explosives.

Wetlands ConstructionCompost is being utilized to

manufacture and re-establish wetland soils to improve water quality.

Its value reflects its organic matter content, biological properties and water retention abilities.

Key attributes that will impact the success of the compost application are the compost’s nutrient and soluble salt content.

Education & Trials

Distance to Markets