A Peachtree City-based company recently received first place in the 1999 Keep Georgia Beautiful awards program.

ERTH Products, which is a composting company, came away with the top award in the Department of Community Affairs Reduce, Reuse and Recycle category at this year's awards ceremony.

The company recycles biosolids by using a unique composting process pioneered by the United States Department of Agriculture known as aerated static pile composting.

The process involves mixing biosolids, a bulking agent and peanut hulls to produce a quality product designated as exceptional quality by the EPA. This designation allows for unlimited use by customers to condition soil and fertilize food crops and garden plants.

Each year, ERTH Products diverts over 24,000 wet tons of biosolids earmarked for landfills and incinerators. The company currently processes biosolids for the cities of Plains, Gainesville and Albany, along with the Cherokee County Water Authority and the Douglas County Water Authority.

The finished product ERTH Food, is sold in bulk bad bags and is used as an organic soil conditioner and fertilizer.

ERTH Food has an extensive list of users including golf courses, soil blenders, sod growers, landscape contractors, farmers, gardeners, nurseries, retailers and the Georgia Department of Transportation.

The award was presented to co-owner Wayne King at a luncheon at the Georgia World Congress Center late last month.