What US Composting Council does

The US Composting Council (USCC) is a US national nonprofit trade association founded in 1990 and headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, with approximately 30 employees. Its stated mission is to advance compost manufacturing, utilization, and organics recycling, and it operates as the primary industry voice for a network of 2,000+ connected composters representing an addressable base of 4,700+ compost manufacturers across the United States. The organization serves eight horizontal member segments—compost manufacturers, public agencies, compostable products suppliers, equipment and product suppliers, consultants and service providers, nonprofit affiliates, colleges and universities, and individuals—through tiered annual memberships priced from $36 (student) to $4,130 (Platinum compostable products suppliers).

USCC's core offerings center on the Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) Certified Compost Program, established in 2000, which provides standardized compost testing through partner laboratories and produces Compost Technical Data Sheets (CTDS) used by landscape architects, engineers, and state DOTs. Complementary products include Compost University (CompostU), the industry's only online learning platform; the Compost Operations Training Course (COTC), with 60+ in-person trainings historically delivered; the annual COMPOST conference and tradeshow; the Corporate Compost Leadership Council (CCLC) launched in Q1 2020; and the newly released Guidelines for the Use and Application of Compost (GUAC). The STA network spans 100+ participants across 40+ US states.

Revenue mechanics combine recurring membership dues (subscription), annual conference registration and sponsorship (transaction fees), product sales via the online store (one-time), STA certification and professional credentialing fees (licensing/royalties), and webinar/CREF educational content revenue (subscription). Distribution is multi-channel: self-service e-commerce through compostingcouncil.org, regional in-person COTC training, national annual conference, the STA certified compost reseller network, and state chapters providing local representation. Partnerships span the Compost Research and Education Foundation (CREF), Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), AAFPCO (co-developer of the official 2018 compost definition), US EPA, state DOTs, and the US Composting Infrastructure Consortium (USCIC). Federal advocacy is delivered through a Quorum-powered Compost Action Center targeting the Farm Bill and H.R. 2145.

Name

US Composting Council

Legal name

US Composting Council

Website

https://compostingcouncil.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The US Composting Council is a national nonprofit trade association founded in 1990 that advances composting and organics recycling through the STA certification program, Compost University, the COTC training course, the annual COMPOST conference, and federal advocacy on behalf of compost manufacturers, public agencies, and related industry stakeholders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Compost Industry Trade Association

NAICS

Fertilizer and Compost Manufacturing (32531), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (924110)

SIC

Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Compost & Soil Amendment Product Manufacturing/Blending (Value-Added Organics) (BPALAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Composting Facility Operations (Windrow, ASP, In-Vessel) (BPALAEAB), Organics & Composting Programs (Food Waste, Green Waste) (BPABALAC), Compost & Compost Blends (AFABADAE)

Keywords

• Compost certification programs
• Organics recycling training
• Compost industry advocacy
• Professional composting education
• Soil amendment standards

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees at multiple tier levels (Entry Level through Platinum) ranging from $36 for students to $4,130 for Platinum compostable products suppliers. Membership provides voting privileges, discounts, networking, and access to resources.
2. Annual Conference and Events: COMPOST2026/COMPOST2027 annual conference revenue from attendee registration, exhibitor booth fees, sponsorship opportunities, and advertising. Additional revenue from Compost Operations Training Course (COTC) admissions.
3. Product Sales: Online store sales of books including The Humanure Handbook, The Composting Handbook, PFAS Pocket Cards, as well as webinars, professional certification materials, and merchandise.
4. Professional Certification: STA Certification program fees for compost manufacturers, plus continuing education credits and Compost University course fees.
5. Webinars and Educational Content: USCC webinars and CREF webinars with associated registration fees for non-members. Compost University online learning platform courses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The US Composting Council is a national nonprofit trade organization that provides industry certification (STA Certified Compost Program), professional training (Compost Operations Training Course and Compost University), an annual conference (COMPOST), advocacy at federal and state levels, and tiered membership services to compost manufacturers, public agencies, suppliers, consultants, and individuals. It also publishes technical standards such as the Guidelines for Use and Application of Compost (GUAC) and the official AAFPCO compost definition.

Product overview

The US Composting Council operates as a national trade organization offering a portfolio of industry programs and services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include the STA (Seal of Testing Assurance) Certified Compost Program for compost testing and certification; Compost University, an online learning platform; the Compost Operations Training Course (COTC) for professional development; the COMPOST Annual Conference; and the Corporate Compost Leadership Council. Additional services include the Target Organics Hub for community program support, PFAS Member Response Toolkit, an Online Store for publications and merchandise, and tiered Membership Programs for various industry segments. The organization also publishes the Guidelines for Use and Application of Compost (GUAC) as technical standards for the industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) Certified Compost Program A rigorous compost testing and certification program that provides standardized testing and reporting on product characteristics, offering the 3 C's: Clarity, Consistency, and Confidence through Compost Technical Data Sheets (CTDS). Created in 2000 for compost manufacturers seeking industry-recognized quality assurance.
• Compost University (CompostU) The composting industry's only online learning platform offering resources for gaining knowledge, earning continuing education credits, and obtaining or maintaining certifications for organics recycling professionals. Available to members and non-members with course fees.
• Compost Operations Training Course (COTC) A world-renowned in-person professional training course for the composting industry, with over 60 trainings historically conducted across the United States since inception. Includes classroom and hands-on components at various US cities including Raleigh NC and Denver CO.
• COMPOST Annual Conference and Tradeshow The premiere professional meeting for composting, organics recycling, and related topics, serving as the USCC's annual conference and tradeshow with exhibitor booths, sponsorships, and attendee registrations. COMPOST2026 and COMPOST2027 are scheduled editions.
• USCC Membership Programs Tiered membership programs including Compost Manufacturers, Public Agencies, Compostable Products Suppliers, Equipment/Product Suppliers, Consultants, Industry Affiliates/Nonprofits, Colleges & Universities, and Individuals with pricing ranging from $36 (Student) to $4,130 (Platinum) annually. Benefits include voting privileges, discounts, networking, and resource access.
• Corporate Compost Leadership Council (CCLC) A corporate membership program launched in Q1 2020 that enables corporate participation in putting brand promises towards a more sustainable future that reduces inedible food waste through composting. Provides a brand platform for participating corporations.
• USCC Online Store Online store offering books including The Humanure Handbook and The Composting Handbook, PFAS Pocket Cards, webinars, professional certification materials, and merchandise for the composting industry. Operates through secure credit card transactions on the website.

Quantifiable outcome

• Network of 2,000+ composters connected through USCC community
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Corporate Compost Leadership Council (CLCC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Corporate leadership council launched in Q1 2020 for companies wanting to demonstrate sustainability commitments by reducing inedible food waste through composting. Provides brand platform for participating corporations towards sustainable future.
• Compost Research and Education Foundation (CREF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCREF is the research and education arm of the composting industry, partnering with USCC on research initiatives, publications, and professional education. CREF webinars are offered at discounted rates to USCC members. Together they advance compost science and education.
• Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBPI is referenced as a certification body for compostable products. USCC encourages compostable products members to have or seek BPI certification for their products.
• State DOTs (Department of Transportation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSCC works with state Department of Transportation agencies on compost specifications for transportation projects including erosion control, stormwater management, and wetland protection. Provides state DOT specifications for compost use.
• US EPAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSCC works with US EPA on critical policy issues including persistent herbicides, Farm Bill, and the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act. Collaborates on stormwater management and environmental protection guidelines.
• AAFPCO (Association of American Plant Food Control Officials)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSCC participates in AAFPCO to establish and maintain the official definition of compost (2018), ensuring standardized industry terminology and quality standards.
• US Composting Infrastructure Consortium (USCIC)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium focused on composting infrastructure development, linked through USCC's quick links for industry resources.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• ReFED: ReFED is a food-waste nonprofit whose donor and corporate-action audiences overlap with USCC's CCLC membership and Corporate Compost Leadership programs, addressing the upstream feedstock side of composting.
• Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR): ILSR runs a Community Composter program that overlaps with USCC's Composting for All initiative, competing for grassroots, community-scale composters and advocacy voice in composting policy.

Broad incumbents

• National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA): NWRA is a larger, broader waste-industry trade association that overlaps with USCC in advocacy, conferences, and membership services for organics haulers and processors competing for similar corporate members.
• Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA): SWANA is an established solid waste management professional association that competes with USCC for municipal agency members, training/certification programs, and continuing-education audiences.
• National Recycling Coalition: National Recycling Coalition is a broader recycling trade association with overlapping policy, advocacy, and conference offerings relevant to USCC's public-agency members and policy agenda.

Regional players

• Composting Council of Canada: The Canadian counterpart operates an analogous national trade body across Canada with comparable compost advocacy, conferences, and training, providing a clear regional peer model for cross-border learning.

Direct peers

• Compost Research and Education Foundation (CREF): CREF is the research and education arm paired with USCC, offering webinars and scholarship programs that overlap with USCC's training and continuing-education business lines and share staff/governance ties.
• US Composting Infrastructure Consortium (USCIC): USCIC is a USCC-linked consortium focused specifically on composting infrastructure development, operating within USCC's ecosystem as a sibling organization for capital project and policy work.
• Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI): BPI is the leading North American certifier of compostable products and a USCC partner, making it the closest peer: both are industry certification bodies serving the composting supply chain with member-driven, standards-defined revenue models.

Others

• Closed Loop Partners: Closed Loop Partners is a circular economy investment and innovation platform that interacts with USCC members around composting infrastructure financing, relevant as an adjacent capital-provider rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/us-composting-council

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about US Composting Council