Last week the Chittenden Solid Waste District recalled all of its Green Mountain Compost products sold on the retail market.
Laboratory tests showed trace amounts of the herbicides Clopyralid and Picloram in the products. Some garden plants were damaged by the chemicals, which were traced back to Green Mountain Compost. The district is conducting tests to determine the original source of the contamination.
Tom Moreau, general manager of the Chittenden Solid Waste District, sent a recall letter to retail stores on July 13.
Here is a passage from the memo:
Effective immediately, we are recalling all products, both bagged and in bulk, sold under the brand names Green Mountain Compost and Intervale Compost Products, from January 1, 2012 to the present, including:
Complete Compost
Premium Topsoil
Premium Potting Soil
Seed Starter
Raised Bed Mix and all other custom blends
Microbe Mulch
The district asked retailers not to dispose of the compost. Instead, officials asked companies to file a claim for product reimbursement. According to the letter, Chittenden Solid Waste will provide direct refunds to consumers whose gardens were affected.
