DNRP > SWD > Composting & Soils > Food Waste Composting

Food Waste Composting

Compost Bin A typical large-quantity bin used in business food waste composting.

Why Throw Out What Could Become Good Soil?

Food scraps and soiled papers are a resource, not a waste! 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.

Whether you are interested in composting for your home or your business, school or other facility, you have come to the right place. Recycling food scraps and yardwaste is easy. Contact your garbage hauler to ask if curbside collection is available in your neighborhood.

When yard waste and food waste is collected at your curb it is taken to Cedar Grove Composting (http://www.cedar-grove.com/ ) for recycling into compost., Compost improves soil naturally; Use it these ways:

• Spread 1 to 2 inches over garden beds in the spring and fall
• Sprinkle 1/2 to 3/4 inch on lawns in the spring or fall
• For new garden beds and lawns, dig or rototil in 1 to 4 inches

Compost is a natural yard care product. Our Web site can help you learn more about natural yard care.

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

Thanks for making your garden soil healthier by using compost. Healthy soils help cleanse our air and water. And cleaner air and water contribute to a better quality of life for everyone.

top of page