Organix Begins Shipping RePeet™

WALLA WALLA, Wash., Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Organix, Inc. of Walla Walla, Washington announced today that it has begun shipping its horticultural peat moss alternative, RePeet™, from a dairy in Yakima County, Washington.

RePeet™ is manufactured from dairy fiber resulting from the anaerobic digestion of manure for renewable energy production.  An anaerobic digester acts like a short term, renewable peat bog – submerging the fiber for up to 45 days. Organix further processes the fiber after digestion with its patented system, improving the fiber's characteristics as a peat-like, soil amendment.  Russell V. Davis, President of Organix, says the company expects to ship 40,000 yards of RePeet™ in 2011 from this facility, much of which has already been secured with contracts.

"Everyone wins," says Davis. "Manure management techniques are improved creating a significant environmental benefit.  Secondly, RePeet™ can reduce peat bog harvesting, a contentious issue for many. Also, the horticultural user now has access to a reliable, renewable amendment.  What's more, it's a domestically produced product that creates jobs in the local, rural community."

According to Davis, RePeet™ is priced competitively with peat.  Peat moss - a common soil amendment used at nurseries and in bagged mixes - has come under pressure over the last decade from environmental groups who claim that peat harvesting and transport may be a significant contributor to climate change. In Europe, peat used for horticultural applications is discouraged. Large do-it-yourself centers like B&Q in the U.K. have opted to start using other products in lieu of peat.

Much of the peat used for horticultural applications in the United States comes from southern Canada. Increasing fuel prices have translated into increased peat costs. Additionally, bad weather can affect harvest and product availability. RePeet™ contains no peat moss or coconut coir – another imported peat-like product.  This combination of taking a domestically-produced residual product, converting it into a premium soil amendment and processing it in an environmentally friendly way has captured the attention of regional and national soil and horticultural companies.

Organix is based in Walla Walla, Washington.  Since 2002, the Company has produced hundreds of thousands of yards of animal bedding and soil amendments like PowerPlant™ compost - much of which is sold to the Portland and Seattle landscape markets and organic growers.

SOURCE Organix, Inc.