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EPA said that it is expanding the description of “compost” from yard trimmings and food waste to include compost from biosolids and manure. According to the agency, the description does not limit the designation to specific types of organic materials.

EPA also has added fertilizer made from recovered materials as a designated landscaping item.

The agency said that it expects the revision to be published in the Federal Register within the next two weeks.

RCRA Requires Purchase of Recovered Materials

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requires agencies and contractors that use appropriated federal funds to buy products containing recovered materials when the agencies spend more than $10,000 a year on that item. For example, if a county agency spends more than $10,000 a year on an EPA-designated item and part of that money is from appropriated federal funds, the agency must purchase that item made from recovered materials.

Agencies are required to purchase the product with the highest recovered material content level practicable, given reasonable competition, product price, performance and availability.

EPA noted that the requirements in the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines harness the purchasing power of the federal government to foster and support markets for recycled-content products – reducing the need for raw materials, consumption of energy and the release of greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information on the changes to the list of items designated in the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines' landscaping products category, click here.