It’s a question we’re asked regularly by those seeking guarantees as to the quality of our composts and want to know what sets us apart from bulk retail supply products.
Fundamentally, the key benefit to using products sourced from a professional commercial composting business such as Composting New Zealand is the integrity of the product. Any composting facility worth its salt will ensure the degradation of most non-persistent herbicides and pesticides by maintaining a high temperature (over 55°) environment and here at Composting New Zealand, we’re no different.
In addition to NON-PERSISTENT HERBICIDES, which are controlled through temperature maintenance, there are also 4 main persistent herbicides:
- Clopyralid
- Picloram
- Aminopyralid
- Aminocyclopyrachlor
These products have not been available to the home consumer market since 2008 and as such are unlikely to be found in any of the local community green waste we accept for composting.
However, we do request our customers please check labels on any pesticides or herbicides you may be using at home, such as broadleaf lawn sprays. Any product containing herbicides will usually advise if your garden waste should not be taken to commercial composting facilities.
At Composting New Zealand, we process home garden green-waste and liaise with local councils that use our service to monitor grass clipping
Key Takeaways
- Composting New Zealand compost is made from 100% green-waste, sourced from the local community.
- Our compost contains zero bio-solids (such as sewage sludge).
- By recycling green-waste, we help reduce the environmental impact of landfills.
- We ensure our compost piles reach temperatures above 55° for 3 consecutive days to destroy weed seeds and pathogens.
- Temperatures between 45° and 65° are constantly maintained to ensure an effective rate of decomposition.
- All compost piles are turned regularly to ensure the entire mass is exposed to the higher temperatures. Recurrent turning also aids the mixing process and helps sustain the high quality of our compost.
The Composting NZ credo – better safe than sorry
Our compost piles are randomly tested by an independent, accredited testing laboratory for persistent and non-persistent pesticides (eg, roundup).
In addition to autonomous off site testing, we also implement our own in-house testing regime to ensure all our products comply with NZ 4454:2005 and Biogro standards. We apply these precautionary measures to all of our composts and compost blend products (indicated on our product pages wherever you see the ‘Bio-Gro Certified’ mark..
Why so many checks?
It’s fairly straight forward in our eyes.
Our reputation is based on the quality of our products.
When we started Composting New Zealand back in 1996, we made it our mission to produce the best quality composts and mulches we could, and we’re as passionate about achieving that goal now as we have ever been.
Latest reports and certifications for our quality compost
To view our BioGro certificate, please click here.
For furhter reading, check out our guide on how to use our compost
s from council parks or civic gardens, as an additional measure of maintaining the integrity of our quality composts.
