YARD WASTE
Composting
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.
The WSU Master Gardeners sell composting bins to the public at a reduced rate subsidized by the County.
Yard waste recycling (clean branches, leaves and grass) is available at the Central Transfer Station for a fee. Collected materials go to the Silver Springs Organics, a composting facility located in Thurston County.
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
Home Composting Grays Harbor Master Gardener Foundation
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
