Composting is a form of recycling, transforming waste materials into usable or marketable materials for use other than landfill disposal or incineration RCW 70.95.030(10).

Backyard or home composting is a common practice in the county is providing training and demonstrations related to composition and yard waste reductionand through the Washington State University Master Gardeners program.

Quick Facts...

  • Composting yard waste recycles nutrients back into the yard and saves landfill space.

  • Composting reduces yard waste volume by 50 to 75 percent.

  • Compost made with manure is questionable for use in food gardens due to newer strains of bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses.

  • The microorganisms that break down plant wastes require favorable temperatures, moisture and oxygen.

  • Compost can be used as a soil amendment and a mulch.

All yards produce waste from pruning, lawn mowing and other routine plant care activities. Composting is a way to reduce the volume of organic wastes and return them to the soil to benefit growing plants.

Informational Links

Compost and Healthy Soil Department of Ecology

Backyard Composting Articles and links about composting and organic gardening

Composting 101 Basic principles of composting

Organic Farming Systems and Nutrient Management Washington State University

Yard Waste Removal: Recycling, Donating and Reusing