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Kitchen Waste Composting

In King County, more than 35 percent of the waste collected from single-family residences is composed of food scraps and soiled paper. That's over 256,000 tons of food waste and soiled paper, per year, that could be recycled to make compost.

Composted kitchen waste is a rich source of nutrients. You can amend your garden soil while reducing waste. Make and use compost to garden the natural way.

To avoid rodents and other animals in your backyard compost pile:

• Compost the waste in a covered worm bin (PDF, 104 K). Worm compost (vermicompost) is a high-grade compost and should be mixed into garden beds in smaller quantities than regular compost. It's also good added to indoor house plant soil, so, vermicompost, also called worm castings, should be spread on top of the soil no deeper than 2 in. and can be left as a top dressing or tilled into the soil.
• Bury kitchen waste under eight inches of soil where it will break down and enrich the soil.

What about using my garbage disposal for food waste disposal?

In-sink garbage disposals should only be used for certain types of food waste and liquids from food preparation. Learn more about keeping fats, oils and grease out of the garbage disposal and sewer system. If you're going to use a garbage disposal, take the time to learn more about how to conserve water (external).

Questions about kitchen waste composting and natural yard care? Contact The Natural Lawn and Garden hotline at 206-633-0224 or info@lawnandgardenhotline.org.

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