Composting

Composting is a process used to convert organic solid waste streams into a usable, enriched organic soil product through the use of controlled conditions.  This conversion requires that the right mixture of materials (balancing the carbon and nitrogen content in those materials) along with oxygen are present to support the desired biological activity.  This biological activity, under aerobic conditions will decompose the waste material into a usable product – compost.

The Washington State Department of Ecology defines “composting” as the “biological degradation and transformation of organic solid waste under controlled conditions designed to promote aerobic decomposition”.    Producing compost from organic wastes is done on many levels, ranging from individual composting practices by individuals at their home to commercial scale operations capable of processing the materials for community areas.

This Agency regulates “commercial” composting operations through its Notice of Construction (NOC) permit application process and through the Registration program.  The NOC program is a preconstruction review which may lead to an Order of Approval with site specific conditions for the approved operations.  The Registration program is an annually renewable status which supports the compliance staff efforts to ensure actively registered sources are in compliance with all applicable permit approval conditions and Agency regulations.  More general information about the NOC and Registration programs is available.  Specific information about composting businesses and Agency activity is provided below.