Compost

Green purchasing guidance for compost.

Required specifications

Purchasers must include these specifications, unless not possible:

Acceptable materials include fine, medium, and coarse finished compost.
As regulated by chapter 173-350 WAC or chapter 173-308 WAC, and meeting the compost quality standards in RCW 173-350-220 Table 220-B.

Preferred specifications

Purchasers should include these specifications, unless not possible:

Testing for PFAS (<100 ppm total fluorine). One fully fluorinated carbon.
Testing for PCBs.
Testing for phthalates.

More preferred specifications for local government entities:

Consistent with RCW 43.19A.130, the finished compost product:
- Is sourced from the local jurisdiction’s compost processor.
- Contains at least 8 percent food waste, or an amount of food waste that is commensurate with that in the local jurisdiction's curbside collection program.

More preferred specifications for state agencies and entities:

Is sourced from Washington Compost Facilities.
Contains at least 8 percent food waste.

Things to avoid

Purchasers should avoid these specifications whenever possible:

Unacceptable materials include all processed organic materials not regulated by chapter 173-350 WAC or chapter 173-308 WAC, and that do not meet the compost quality standards of chapter 173-350 WAC or chapter 173-308 WAC.

Laws, rules and executive orders

These laws, rules, and executive orders must be included in the contract language:

Definitions

Anaerobic digester - a vessel that processes organic material into biogas and digestate through microbial decomposition under anaerobic (low oxygen) conditions. From WAC 173-350-100.
Biosolids - municipal sewage sludge that is a primarily organic, semisolid product resulting from the wastewater treatment process, that can be beneficially recycled and meets all applicable requirements under chapter 173-308 WAC, Biosolids management. Biosolids includes a material derived from biosolids and septic tank sludge, also known as septage, that can be beneficially recycled and meets all applicable requirements under chapter 173-308 WAC, Biosolids management. From 173-350-100.
Composted material - organic solid waste that has undergone biological degradation and transformation under controlled conditions designed to promote aerobic decomposition at a solid waste facility in compliance with the requirements of this chapter. Composting is a form of organic material recycling. Natural decay of organic solid waste under uncontrolled conditions does not result in composted material. From WAC 173-350-100.
Digestate - both solid and liquid substances that remain following anaerobic digestion of organic material in an anaerobic digester. From WAC 173-350-100.
Manure and bedding -  manure (feces) and bedding from livestock and zoo animals including, but not limited to, horses, cows, chickens, sheep, and goats, and includes wash water from cleanup of such manure and bedding. From WAC 173-350-100.
Organic materials - any solid waste that is a biological substance of plant or animal origin capable of microbial degradation. Organic materials include, but are not limited to, manure, yard debris, food waste, food processing wastes, wood waste, and garden wastes. From WAC 173-350-100. Doesn’t include any materials contaminated by herbicides, pesticides, pests, or other sources of chemical or biological contamination that would render a finished product of an organic material management process unsuitable for general public or agricultural use.

End of life

Surplus goods that still can be used

Use surplus disposal to get rid of items you no longer need. Keep materials out of landfills and make funds for your agency.

Recycling and disposal

Hazardous waste disposal guidelines and options:

Department of Ecology: Dispose, recycle, or treat dangerous waste
Washington Recycles