A St. Augustine composting facility is inviting the public to a community event next month, as concerns grow among nearby residents over noxious odors from the company’s composting operations.
The Indianhead Biomass event, titled “Compost Class is In Session,” is scheduled for July 24 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Solomon Calhoun Center in St. Augustine.
It aims to provide residents with information about Indianhead’s functions and offer an opportunity to engage with company representatives.
Indianhead, which says it began composting operations in 2018, processes yard debris and treated biosolids—organic matter recycled from sewage—into matter used in agriculture and landscaping.
The company asserts that its process reduces landfill use, supports healthy soils, and contributes to local sustainability goals.
But the facility has come under intense scrutiny from residents living nearby who have raised concerns about persistent odors, particularly during certain weather conditions.
Famed environmental activist Erin Brockovich weighed in on the controversy, intensifying the spotlight on Indianhead’s operations.
The stakes were raised this month after several residents of nearby housing development Morgan’s Cove filed a class action suit against the company.
Critics have argued that Indianhead is failing to adequately mitigate the problem, while the company contends that the operations in question predated nearby residential development.
The open-house format will feature educational booths, a short presentation, and one-on-one conversations with staff and environmental professionals.
“Indianhead’s composting operation was started by Col. Roy H. Hinman II and Joe “Dirt” Williams with two goals in mind: create a simple agricultural product that anyone can use, and help Northeast Florida handle a growing waste problem,” organizers said in a statement.
