Heat generated during the composting process reduces or eliminates plant diseases, weed seeds, pesticide residues, and toxins. However, visible contaminants such as plastic and glass degrade the quality of compost products. The only effective way to remove plastic and other nonmetal contaminants is by hand. Secondary Product Value Consumers are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious, and the look and benefit to clay soil of using compost products is becoming increasingly popular. Fine grade, uniform compost products that are free of weed seeds and pathogens are the most appealing to buyers.
Oversized material is less marketable.
Metro area processors produce a variety of different grades of compost that sell for varying prices. In 1993, a Metro technical committee made up of experts in soil science, landscaping and yard debris processing adopted yard debris compost product standards. These standards are intended to address consumer doubts about variable compost product quality. Products marketed as Earth-Wise are tested twice a year to ensure they meet these new standards. Outlook Recovery of yard debris is expected to continue to increase in 1994 and 1995, but increases are not expected to be as dramatic as in previous years.