Material testing is needed to verify product safety and market claims.
Standardized methods for testing and evaluating compost quality are needed by compost producers, state regulatory and permitting agencies, compost product marketing specialists, state and commercial testing laboratories, and agriculturalists, horticulturalists, landscapers, and other consumer sectors. Compost and compost blends are subject to extensive interstate transit and use on public and private lands. Food Processing Residuals compostable material remaining after fruit, vegetables, grains, nuts, and meat are processed for consumption. Manure and Agricultural By-Products originate at racetracks and feed lots, on the farm, and in greenhouses. Forestry and Forest Product Residuals includes bark and sawdust, and fiber fines residue and biosolids generated by the papermaking process.