Strategies for Increasing the Value of Biosolids Compost

Increasing the value of compost has sometimes proven to be a difficult thing to achieve for composters. Aside from the fact that compost is often compared to other horticultural commodities, typically sold on 'a price basis', compost production often goes against typical supply and demand curves. This is because compost 'supply' (production) increases because of recycling or environmental drivers, not because its 'demand' has actually increased. That means that composters must work hard to increase their products value, using methods such as 'branding', etc., because supply is likely to increase – decreasing its value.A somewhat new concept being considered to increase compost value is selling compost for the value of the products in which it is trying to replace. In years past, the composting industry strived to achieve the replacement value of products such as peat moss and milled pine bark. However, compost may obtain a greater value if it is sold for the replacement value of higher value products, such as certain fertilizers or fungicides, or even turf topdressings and erosion control products. This paper explores these possibilities, as discusses actual replacement values.