DNRP > SWD > Composting & Soils > Food Waste Composting > On-Site Food Waste Composting > Pilot Program

Pilot Program

King County has partnered with 14 businesses and schools in a groundbreaking pilot program to help these institutions manage their food waste more economically and possibly save on disposal costs. This program provides technical assistance and has paid for a significant portion of the costs to set up on-site composting at the businesses and schools.

In return for this assistance the participating organizations are required to provide data to King County on the amount of food waste they are composting in the system, how much finished compost they are getting out of the system and any feedback they have on the functionality of the system for a period of three years.

We are compiling the data from each of the participants and making the information available. Use the links on the left to learn more about this program.

Background

Program Initiation

Participating businesses and schools were recruited and began composting in 2003 and 2004.

Funding

In addition to program funds, the King County Solid Waste Division (SWD) received a grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology in support of this program.

Pilot Program

King County is seeking ways to recycle food waste, which is a significant part of the current waste stream. Food waste makes up 14.6 percent of the total waste collected in King County. The Food Waste Composting for Businesses and Schools Program provides an incentive for businesses to commit time and money to investigate alternatives to sending food waste to the landfill with other wastes. The businesses commit to operating a composting system for three years. They will provide King County with data on the quantities and types of food waste they are composting, as well as feedback on the benefits and barriers associated with using composting to manage their food waste.

Pilot Program Partners

A list of the pilot program partners, including information on their systems and results is available.

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