What the US Composting Council's Seal of Testing Assurance Means for Your Garden
At Soilutions, we've always believed that healthy soil starts with quality compost. Now, we're proud to announce that Soilutions Compost has earned the US Composting Council's Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) certification, making us the only compost manufacturing facility in New Mexico to hold this nationally recognized designation!
It's an exciting milestone for our company, but more importantly, it's great news for our customers. This certification provides independent verification of the quality, safety, and consistency of the compost you use in your gardens, landscapes, and growing projects.
What Is STA Certified Compost?
The US Composting Council's Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) program is a nationally recognized compost testing and information disclosure program. It establishes rigorous requirements for laboratory testing, quality monitoring, and transparency.
To earn and maintain this certification, compost manufacturers must submit their products for regular testing at approved laboratories using standardized methods.
Testing evaluates important compost characteristics, including:
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Organic matter and nutrient content: Understanding what the compost contributes to your soil.
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Maturity and stability: Evaluating how thoroughly the organic materials have decomposed.
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pH and soluble salts: Helping determine appropriate applications for different plants and soils.
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Physical characteristics: Evaluating factors such as particle size and moisture content.
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Safety: Verifying compliance with EPA limits for specified pathogens and heavy metals.
Certification isn't a one-time achievement. Participating manufacturers must continue testing their compost on an established schedule and make technical product information available to customers.
Why Does This Matter to You?
Not all compost is created equal. Different ingredients, manufacturing processes, and levels of decomposition can significantly affect the finished product.
The STA program is built around three important principles:
Clarity. Know what's in your compost. Standardized laboratory reports provide information about its characteristics and recommended uses.
Consistency. Ongoing testing helps manufacturers monitor their products and maintain quality over time.
Confidence. Independent laboratory testing gives customers reliable information to make informed decisions about the compost they're purchasing.
Whether you're growing vegetables in a backyard garden, planting trees, maintaining commercial landscapes, or improving agricultural soil, knowing what's in your compost matters.
What Makes Soilutions Compost Different?
Our compost is manufactured locally from recycled food waste, landscaping waste, and sustainable forest debris. Through a carefully managed composting process, these organic materials are transformed into a nutrient-rich soil amendment that improves soil structure, supports beneficial microbial activity, and helps soil retain moisture.
And there's something else we're particularly proud of:
No manure. No biosolids. No chemical additives.
We believe in using recovered organic materials to create a high-quality product while keeping valuable resources out of our landfills.
Our commitment to independent laboratory testing isn't new. We've relied on independent scientific testing and careful quality control for years. Earning STA certification takes that commitment a step further by demonstrating our participation in a nationally recognized program with standardized testing and transparency requirements.
Proudly Setting the Standard in New Mexico
As the only STA Certified Compost manufacturing facility in New Mexico, we're proud to help raise awareness about the importance of compost quality and responsible organics recycling.
For 30 years, Soilutions has been turning discarded organic materials into valuable resources for our communities. This certification represents another step in our mission to manufacture dependable, locally made compost and soils that support healthier landscapes and a more sustainable New Mexico.
Thank you to our customers, partners, and community for supporting locally made compost. We're proud to continue earning your trust, one batch at a time.
