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

Quality assurance in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Waste Concern recognises the importance of producing consistently highquality
compost. One of the advantages of selling their finished compost
to MAP Agro is the fact that MAP owns compost grinding and cleaning
machinery. Their machines reduce any glass shards to harmless powder,
separate metal and remove polythene using an air sorter. This process is
time-consuming, but farmers consider it important so it is a necessary investment.
Heavy metal contamination is another issue for farmers. It can
only be controlled by carefully selecting raw material for composting. According
to sample tests conducted on Waste Concern’s compost, contamination
levels were lower than those allowed in India (no standards existed
in Bangladesh at the time of testing). This can be attributed to the sorting
of waste prior to composting. Of course, the raw materials for compost
made from domestic waste may vary considerably day-to-day. Frequent
tests are advisable (e. g. quarterly).
Adapted from Ali, 2004
Consistency
It is better to produce a consistently mediocre product than a product whose
Alexander, 2003
quality is inconsistent.
Achieving consistency is vital and will affect the range of markets available
to you, the price and your customers’ confidence in your production process.
Customers want to be sure of what they are buying and what to expect on future
visits.
Standards and certificates
Compost producers have a responsibility (sometimes a legal obligation) to ensure
that compost produced will not cause any long-term damage to the environment
nor pose any health risks to humans. Some countries have their own
compost standards, developed by ministries or even national compost associations.
In some countries there are no policies or standards regulating the use of organic
waste or composting related markets. In such instances a compost business
has a duty to act responsibly to ensure the quality of the compost, and
the wellbeing of those who produce and use it.
Even if your country does not have its own current compost rules and quality
standards, various national standards are available as guidance. If followed
these could be referred to in promotional materials. Annex 9.1 compares compost
standards in a number of countries.
60 Marketing Compost—Product, positioning and location