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Marketing Compost (EAWAG) - The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

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Successful compost marketing in Sri Lanka<br />

By contrast, government <strong>and</strong> NGO projects have failed to establish markets for their product. This<br />

led to such an overwhelming stock of compost that some have had to cease production or even close<br />

down. <strong>The</strong> government had not considered marketing, <strong>and</strong> the NGO did not have the capacity to<br />

Ali, 2004<br />

invest in marketing activities.<br />

informed about its use <strong>and</strong> limitations in order for them to make an informed<br />

choice.<br />

What about ethical competition In many countries, markets for compost are<br />

untapped or underdeveloped. <strong>The</strong>re is room for new businesses to emerge<br />

<strong>and</strong> coexist with other producers. Moreover, competition itself can be turned<br />

into an opportunity: joining forces to lobby for supportive legislation, sharing<br />

distribution infrastructure or even sharing marketing through <strong>Compost</strong> Associations.<br />

Finally, sound social <strong>and</strong> environmental principles at the heart of your business<br />

can be a powerful sales asset for your product, as markets around the world<br />

become increasingly concerned with ethical consumption.<br />

2.2 Why is marketing important for compost producers<br />

<strong>Marketing</strong> is just a jargon-filled discipline <strong>and</strong> only tells you what you<br />

Gartner (no date)<br />

already know.<br />

Although many people are sceptical about marketing, in fact it underpins most<br />

successful businesses. It helps ensure investments are worthwhile <strong>and</strong> identify<br />

appropriate products for achievable markets.<br />

Improving the image of compost<br />

Although compost is a highly effective soil conditioner, which can reduce<br />

the need for chemical fertilisers, it does not enjoy a ready-made market. A<br />

number of factors account for this fact, including:<br />

lack of awareness <strong>and</strong> knowledge on how, how much <strong>and</strong> when to use<br />

compost;<br />

misunderst<strong>and</strong>ing about what compost is (e. g. expecting it to behave in the<br />

same way as a chemical fertiliser);<br />

14 <strong>Marketing</strong> <strong>Compost</strong>—Background

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