HoCoGro Compost Earns U.S. Composting Council Designation

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The county’s department of public works’ bureau of environmental services HoCoGro compost has been awarded the U.S. Composting Council’s “Seal of Testing Assurance." This certification signifies that the HoCoGro compost produced at Howard County’s Alpha Ridge Landfill meets all federal, state and local regulations and permitting to which the STA certified compost products are subject. The county’s HoCoGro compost is the only compost in Maryland produced by a local jurisdiction with this distinction.

"This is an exciting distinction for Howard County as we continue to lead on green initiatives and serve as a model for other local communities," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. "With more than 12,000 county households participating in food scrap collection, we're on our way to creating a cleaner and more sustainable environment for all residents."

As a testing, labeling and information disclosure program, the STA is designed to improve customer confidence in compost selection and utilization by giving consumers the information they need to get the maximum benefit from the use of compost.

“While our HoCoGro Compost has historically met market expectations, the seal of testing assurance from the U.S. Composting Council further guarantees a high-quality product and demonstrates our drive to offer our residents the best goods and services,” said Mark DeLuca, chief of DPW’s bureau of environmental services. “By residents and landscapers taking advantage of HoCoGro Compost, they are helping reinforce our motto of ‘Made Locally, Spread Locally.’”