Earth First of Kentuckiana, Inc.

I have been informed that you received a load of processed topsoil from our *** *** store that did not meet your expectations.We regret that you are dissatisfied with the product and intend to refund your full purchase price.At Earth First we strive to provide our customers with quality products
and exceptional serviceHowever, with some products such as topsoil there are factors we cannot control.Topsoil is the dirt removed from sites prior to construction of buildings or roadsThis may be an old farm field or an undeveloped lotThe topsoil removed from these sites may contain a variety of items such as rock, litter, or maybe even an occasional hunters shotgun shellWe screen the topsoil to remove as much of this foreign material as possibleUnfortunately some of the smaller pieces pass thru the screen. We then add compost to the soil to add some additional nutrientsCompost is made from collected organic yard waste (tree limbs, leaves etc.)Some of this yard waste comes to us in plastic bags and even though we try to screen out the shredded plastic some of this also passes through the screen.I understand the foreign material is visually unappealing and requires some effort to removeHowever, I can assure you the soil you have received is "healthy" and will grow a fine stand of grass.Thank you for this opportunity to respond to your complaintSomeone from our office will be in touch to arrange your refund.*** *** **
*** *** ** ***
***

A customer filed a complaint stating that Earth First of Kentuckiana, Inc. sold him hardwood bark mulch contaminated with black artillery mold. The mulch in question was purchased and placed in the customers landscaping some eight months prior to this problem occurring, per his complaint. Earth...

First of Kentuckiana, lnc. does not feel the hardwood bark mulch In question was contaminated with black artillery mold  when the product was' purchased and does not feel responsible to replace the siding on the customer’s house, as he is requesting. Earth First of Kentuckiana, inc. manufactures hardwood bark mulch in the following manner. Bark is purchased from local lumber mills and transported to our [redacted] facility where the fines are separated from the bark. The bark is then ground and placed in piles 25-80 feet high, for the aging process. These piles reach temperatures from 140-150 degrees Fahrenheit. The piles sit for 4-5 months to allow the acidity to bake out of the mulch and allow the PH to drop into acceptable levels to be placed around plants in the landscaping. The mulch piles routinely are burning internally and smolder throughout the aging process. There are no living organic (Fungus/Mold) or animal/insect (Termites) matter in the hardwood bark mulch at this point in the manufacturing process. Once the mulch has aged, Earth First delivers the mulch daily in our busy spring season and weekly in our off season to our five area locations.
Living in the Ohio Valley, most residents understand that mold and fungus can occur naturally on any organic material (leaves, grass clipping and mulch) under the right weather conditions. The Ohio Valley heat and humidity during spring and summer is ideal conditions for mold and fungus growth. Please note that the customer purchased and placed the mulch down some eight month prior to the problem occurring. After several conversations with the customer and multiple internet searches; no simple cleaning solution exist for black artillery mold. I do not Feel it was a "run around" to attempt to help a customer and when no solution could be found to suggest he call a professional mold removal company that specialize in handling this type of problem. This is why, Earth First of Kentuckiana, inc. does not feel responsible to replace the customers siding per his request.
Sincerely,
[redacted]General Manager