Effective erosion and sediment control is a cornerstone of regulatory compliance and long-term site stability. Among the most advanced and adaptable BMPs available, compost filter socks have become a standard solution for engineers, contractors, and regulators. Their ability to intercept sediment, filter pollutants, and integrate into sustainable site designs makes them a preferred choice across construction, transportation, and environmental restoration projects.
MKB delivers a comprehensive range of filter sock systems—SiltSoxx, SiltSoxx RH, and EnviroSoxx—each engineered to address specific field conditions and performance objectives. Supported by independent testing, field validation, and regulatory acceptance, MKB’s product line provides proven solutions for applications ranging from perimeter sediment control to advanced pollutant removal.
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Definition
Compost filter socks are tubular mesh devices filled with composted or engineered filter media designed to intercept and, in some cases, treat stormwater runoff. As runoff passes through the permeable “sock,” sediment and pollutants are captured, while filtered water is allowed to pass downstream. Their low-profile, surface-conforming design minimizes undercutting and eliminates the need for trenching, thus providing distinct advantages over traditional silt fence systems.
Applications
Compost filter socks are versatile BMPs suitable for a wide range of erosion, sediment, and stormwater control scenarios:
- Perimeter Control – Filter socks provide a reliable perimeter barrier, intercepting sheet flow at the site boundary without the trenching or failure risks common with other BMPs. Their surface-conforming design reduces bypass and undercutting, ensuring compliance with sediment control requirements even under variable site conditions.
- Slope Interruption & Check Dams – Installed perpendicular to flow on slopes, filter socks function as velocity dissipators and sediment traps. This breaks up runoff energy, reduces erosion, and promotes deposition, making them effective for steep or disturbed slopes where check dams are needed but trenching is not feasible.
- Inlet Protection – Placed around storm drain inlets, filter socks capture sediment and pollutants before they enter storm sewer systems. Their versatility allows deployment on paved, vegetated, or soil surfaces, protecting downstream infrastructure and water quality without damaging the inlet structure.
- Pollutant Removal (EnviroSoxx) – When stormwater requires more than sediment control, EnviroSoxx excels. Its engineered blends capture bacteria, nutrients, hydrocarbons, and metals, making it indispensable for industrial facilities, DOT projects, and MS4 permit compliance.
Emergency Response & Diversion – In natural disasters or erosion emergencies, filter socks can be rapidly deployed for containment and diversion. They provide immediate stabilization and pollutant interception, buying critical time for long-term remediation measures.
Benefits
Compost filter socks deliver a combination of performance, efficiency, and compliance advantages:
| Feature | Why It Matters |
| Ease of Installation & Maintenance | No trenching means faster installation, lower labor costs, and reduced soil disturbance. Repairs can be made quickly on-site without specialized equipment, which can be an operational advantage for contractors managing multiple projects. |
| Superior Sediment & Pollutant Capture | The compost or engineered fill media captures fine sediment more effectively than straw wattles or silt fence. With EnviroSoxx, pollutant capture is extended to bacteria, hydrocarbons, nutrients, and metals, offering quantifiable removal rates that help meet water quality standards. |
| Reduced Undercutting & Failure Risk | Because socks conform tightly to the ground surface, the risk of undercutting and bypass is significantly minimized. This translates to fewer BMP failures, fewer compliance issues, and less rework. |
| Environmental & Cost Efficiency | Biodegradable mesh options allow products to remain in place post-construction, reducing waste and labor costs. As compost media naturally decomposes, it enhances soil health, providing both functional performance and ecological value. |
| Regulatory Compliance | Filter socks are a recognized BMP in DOT, EPA, MS4, TMDL, and LID guidelines. EnviroSoxx blends, in particular, support compliance for stormwater permits where pollutant load reduction is mandated. |
MKB Product Suite
SiltSoxx: The Benchmark for Compost Filter Socks
Filtrexx SiltSoxx is the original compost filter sock BMP, an innovation that set the industry standard and remains the benchmark for performance today. Now fully integrated into the MKB portfolio, SiltSoxx delivers unmatched reliability for sediment control, stormwater management, and regulatory compliance.
Proven Compliance and Recognition
Backed by rigorous testing and independent approvals, SiltSoxx® is USDA-certified and recognized under EPA, AASHTO, USDA NRCS, and USACE standards, with inclusion in DOT specifications nationwide—making it one of the most widely accepted compost filter sock systems in use today. Every unit is manufactured in the United States, ensuring consistent quality, dependable lead times, and full supply chain traceability. Contractors, engineers, and agencies can specify SiltSoxx with confidence, knowing the product delivered on-site is exactly what was designed—compliant, reliable, and ready to perform.
Versatile Variants for Every Site Condition
The SiltSoxx family provides flexibility for diverse project environments, offering options that balance durability, biodegradability, and field longevity:
- Original – Durable mesh with the signature green/black stripe, designed for long-term site performance.
- Natural Original – Cotton fiber mesh, fully biodegradable, with a 12-month field life for projects requiring sustainable solutions.
- Natural Plus – Wood fiber mesh, biodegradable, with a longer 18-month field life, ideal for sites with extended construction schedules or slower vegetative growth.
Why SiltSoxx Stands Apart
Unlike rigid silt fences or straw wattles, SiltSoxx conforms tightly to the ground surface, minimizing undercutting and installation errors. Its compost-based filter media enhances soil biology over time, providing both erosion control and ecological benefits. For engineers and specifiers balancing cost, compliance, and sustainability, SiltSoxx represents not just a product, but a field-proven system with decades of validation.
SiltSoxx RH: Lightweight Efficiency, Heavy-Duty Performance
SiltSoxx RH is a next-generation filter sock engineered with rice hulls as the filtration matrix. This innovative fill material offers a balance between performance, handling ease, and cost-efficiency, thus bridging the gap between traditional compost socks and lighter wattles.
Engineered Advantages
- Lighter than Compost, Heavier than Straw – Delivers superior sediment control compared to wattles, while being significantly easier to handle and transport than compost-filled socks.
- Field-Friendly Handling – Reduced weight simplifies logistics, installation, and repositioning, making it an ideal choice for projects with frequent movement of BMPs.
- Reliable Sediment Retention – Despite its lighter construction, SiltSoxx RH provides strong filtration performance suitable for a wide range of field conditions.
Biodegradable Options
Available in standard mesh or 100% biodegradable Natural+ netting, SiltSoxx RH can remain in place post-project, reducing waste and eliminating costly removal. This makes it particularly advantageous for sensitive environmental sites or projects with sustainability mandates.
Application Fit
SiltSoxx RH is well-suited for contractors and municipalities needing effective sediment control on active sites where installation speed, redeployment, or end-of-life sustainability are critical. It offers the performance credibility of compost-based socks in a format that’s more accessible to crews working under tight schedules.
EnviroSoxx: Advanced Pollutant Removal for Stormwater Compliance
Designed for advanced stormwater treatment, EnviroSoxx targets over 20 common pollutants, including bacteria, heavy metals, nutrients, hydrocarbons, and fine sediment.
Blend Options for Tailored Performance
- Industrial Blend – Optimized for metals, hydrocarbons, nutrients, and pH stabilization, making it a strong fit for industrial and commercial sites.
- Advanced Blend – Targets bacteria, hydrocarbons, select metals, nutrients, and sediment for applications in urban environments, infrastructure projects, and sensitive receiving waters.
Proven Pollutant Capture Rates
Independent testing confirms EnviroSoxx’s high removal efficiencies:
- Up to 99% of bacteria
- Up to 99% of hydrocarbons
- Up to 92% of nutrients
- Up to 73% of heavy metals
These results make EnviroSoxx not just a BMP, but a compliance enabler for MS4 permits, TMDL-driven projects, and stormwater management plans requiring pollutant load reductions.
Why Choose MKB?
MKB sets the standard in erosion and sediment control by delivering field-proven, regulatory-compliant BMPs backed by independent testing, technical approvals, and decades of field validation. But we don’t stop at supplying products – we provide the expertise and support that ensure successful outcomes.
From specification assistance and submittal documentation to installation guidance and project-specific recommendations, MKB equips engineers, contractors, and municipalities with everything needed to design and implement solutions that perform.
Ready to specify compost filter socks on your next project? Partner with MKB for products, data, and technical support you can trust.
Contact us today to discuss your project requirements and get tailored guidance from our technical team.
