American Biogas Council and US Composting Council Join Forces

The American Biogas Council and the US Composting Council announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding created to help accelerate the growth of the organics recycling industry.

Washington, DC (I-Newswire) January 8, 2013 - The American Biogas Council (ABC) and the US Composting Council (USCC) announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding created to help accelerate the growth of the organics recycling industry. Each organization is the leading advocate for its industry and together, they represent over 900 organizations.

“Organic material is a valuable resource and should be treated as such,” stated Michael Virga, Executive Director of the U.S. Composting Council. “Federal, state and local policy should reflect this fact and facilitate the handling of organic material according to its highest and best use.”

Composting and biogas systems both use natural processes which yield a variety of saleable products from the organic materials you feed into them. Both reduce greenhouse gas emissions, recover valuable soil-nutrients, and reduce the need for additional landfill or incineration capacity. Biogas systems produce a renewable substitute for natural gas, and yields nutrient-rich residuals which can be naturally processed into compost or fertilizer products.

In addition to reducing water pollution, improving soil health, and stimulating plant growth, the organics recycling industry employs more people per ton of material than does landfill disposal or incineration. However, today, the political and regulatory infrastructures do not support these fundamental, natural, and energy-producing processes that are essential to the economic, environmental, and social needs of a sustainable community.

“We can create thousands of U.S. projects and jobs if as a society, we all get smarter about how to use our food residuals, yard clippings, wastewater sludge and all the organic material we put into our trash every day,” said Patrick Serfass, Executive Director of the American Biogas Council. “Three key steps will get us there: educating leaders and citizens about biogas system and composting benefits, leveling the playing field with smart policies and removing unnecessary barriers to project development.”

About the US Composting Council
Established in 1990, the US Composting Council (USCC) is the only national organization in the United States dedicated to the development, expansion and promotion of the composting industry. The USCC is a non-profit 501(c)(6) organization that also directs the Composting Council Research and Education Foundation (CCREF), a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, which administers public and private research and education activities. For additional information, visit www.compostingcouncil.org. Follow the US Composting Council on Twitter, http://bit.ly/T9RCdt, and Facebook, http://on.fb.me/WrK1Yt

About the American Biogas Council
The American Biogas Council represents over 140 companies dedicated to maximizing the production and use of biogas from organic waste. Members include anaerobic digester developers/builders, engine and turbine manufacturers, farmers, wastewater utilities, landfill operators, engineering and law firms, financiers, non profits, universities and the entire biogas supply chain. www.americanbiogascouncil.org. Follow the ABC on Twitter, http://bit.ly/WrKl9B.

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USCC Contact:
Leanne Spaulding
301.897.2715
leannespaulding@compostingcouncil.org

ABC Contact:
Josh Lieberman
202.640.6595 x322
jlieberman@ttcorp.com