Call to Action!
2022 Organics Management Law
Share Compost Information Resources
As Washington begins to roll out implementation of the 2022 Organics Management Law (HB 1799), the WORC Legislative and Website Committees are putting out a call-to-action. Section 701, added to chapter 43.19A.150 RCW, requires that each city or county that adopts a compost procurement ordinance must develop strategies to inform residents about:
  • The value of compost; and
  • How the jurisdiction uses compost in its operations in the jurisdiction’s comprehensive solid waste management plan pursuant to RCW 70A.205.045.

We are asking for jurisdictions and other partners to help WORC compile resources that can be shared, or inform new materials, to meet the above requirements of cities and counties. Please submit materials, resources, and links that can be added to the WORC resource library by clicking the link below. All resources will be available to the public.
Federal Legislation to Support Food Waste Reduction and Composting
Two bills in the 118th Congress aim to strike a blow to greenhouse gas emissions through reduction of food waste and providing support to composting programs and infrastructure. Cultivating Organic Matter through the Promotion of Sustainable Techniques – the COMPOST Act (H.R. 4443) – would provide up to $200 million in grant funding annually to support composting programs and infrastructure. The Zero Food Waste Act (H.R. 4444) would provide funding over ten years to gather data about, prevent or reduce food waste. Together these bills would provide significant funding to address solutions to the environmental, economic and public health costs of the country’s food waste problem.  

The COMPOST Act, originally introduced in 2021, would provide $200 million per year for investment in composting infrastructure. The funds would be available to large scale facilities as well as smaller scale and community operations. Funds would be available for projects to improve existing systems, market development, organics collections systems, permitting and construction planning and equipment purchases (except depackaging). The bill would also classify compost production and use as conservation activities under the US Department of Agriculture conservation programs. Eligible programs would include collecting food waste data, building anaerobic digestion facilities, food rescue and projects that divert or restrict food waste from landfills. 

House sponsors of the bills include Reps. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, and Ann McLane Kuster, D-N.H. Senate sponsors include Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Tina Smith, D-Minn.

These bills are vital to address food waste and organics diversion, putting funding behind the effort. Contact your Senator or Representative to encourage them to sponsor and support these bills. The Compost Infrastructure Coalition provides a portal on which you can enter your address and message and it will be distributed to your representative. Click here to go to CIC’s site or contact your representative and senator directly.
Register for the WORC Annual Conference in Partnership with the Tilth Alliance
There is Still Time!
October 26th through 28th, WORC will hold its Annual Conference in partnership with the Tilth Alliance. The conference will be held at Fort Warden State Park in the beautiful Olympic Peninsula. The WORC track offers a deep field of speakers, including:

Thursday, October 26th
Farm Walk and Biochar Workshops at White Lotus Farms
  • Building and Operating a Biochar Kiln - Norm Baker, Sierra Club - North Olympic Group
  • An on-site demonstration of how a farm-scale biochar kiln can be built and operated. 
  • Making Biochar with a Flame Cap Kiln - Francesco Tortorici, Olympic Biochar
  • A discussion of how Olympic Biochar creates biochar at their facility and how their customers use it.

Friday, October 27th and Saturday, October 28th
Session 1:
  • Co-Composting with Biochar: Research, farmer, and industry perspectives – Doug Collins and David Bill
  • Doug and David will discuss a recent research project done at Midnight Farms examining the efficacy of incorporating biochar into the on-farm compost system.
  • Co-Composting Bio Char and Greenwaste - Jack Hoeck, Rexius Forest By-Products
  • Jack will discuss how and why Rexius mixes biochar with greenwaste to create a premium compost product. 
Session 2:
  • Soil Incorporation of Biochar - Norm Baker, Sierra Club - North Olympic Group
  • A detailed discussion of the value of biochar in soil products and its application for home gardeners, small farms, and compost facilities.
  • Biochar: A Promising Bioretention Amendment for Enhancing Removal of Contaminants from Stormwater, Chelsea Mitchell - Washington State University, Puyallup Research and Extension Center
  • A discussion of recent research done employing biochar as a component in a green stormwater infrastructure system. 
Session 3:
  • Statewide Compost Emission Study Update - Megan Rounds, Washington State Department of Ecology
  • An overview of the ongoing compost emission study. The purpose and value of the work will be reviewed with a recap of what has been done to date and what future work is planned.
  • Research to Improve Compost Facility Emissions Permitting - Tim O'Niell, Engineered Compost Systems (ECS)
  • Review of what has been learned so far with the compost emission study.
  • Volatile Organic Compound Emission Factors from Green Waste/ Food Waste Composting Using the WSU Compost Pilot Plant - Tom Jobson, WSU - Department of Civil Environmental Engineering
  • Details on the methodology and results of emissions factor testing during composting.
Session 4:
  • Effective Composting for Small Diversified Farms in Washington State: Case Studies on Heyday Farm and Bloedel Reserve Michael Brian-Brown, Green Mountain Technologies 
  • Two examples of how small farms incorporated compost systems into their practices
  • Organics Management Law and the Compost Reimbursement Program - Derek Thedell, Washington State Department of Agriculture
  • Details on the Compost Reimbursement Program that is being kicked off this fall.
Session 5:
  • Implementation of Organic Management Laws in Washington: challenges, opportunities, and the road ahead – Alli Kingfisher, Washington Department of Ecology
  • What has been happening since the Organics Management Law was passed in 2022, and what to look for in the rest of 2023 and 2024.
  • Economic Benefits of Organic Amendments: An Ecosystem Services Evaluation of Compost and Class A Biosolids in King County - Kate Kurtz, City of Seattle, Seattle Public Utilities, Kelsey Bailey, King County Solid Waste Division, and Dave Keeney, King County, Wastewater Treatment Division
  • Organic Amendments like compost and biochar have enormous value outside of their value to reduce the need for fertilizer. The city of Seattle and King County will discuss a recent attempt to quantify some of those values, including reduced flood risk, carbon sequestration, reduced stormwater runoff and more. 
  • Biofiltration and Odor Management Using Biochar - Jan Allen, Chomp Energy
  • How Chomp Energy uses biochar in odor management and biofiltration applications.
Member Spotlight
Meet Liv Johansson!
Liv began her work in the waste industry 8 years ago, working in municipal hauling, outreach, and education in coastal California. She relocated to Seattle after completing her degree at UC Berkeley in Environmental Economics and Policy. In her current capacity, she serves as the facility operator for the Woodland Park Zoo's Zoo Doo composting facility and the Vice President of WORC. 

The Woodland Park Zoo has been composting its manure onsite for over four decades. Utilizing a capped, aerated static pile system, the Zoo currently produces between 1,200-1,400 tons of finished compost from the manures and beddings of all (non-human) vertebrates. Zoo Doo compost is sold in bulk onsite at sales called Fecal Fests and can be found nourishing school and community gardens across western Washington.

Liv is a passionate composter and community educator, offering public tours of the Zoo Doo Yard, speaking in classrooms, and helping to organize and execute WORC's Compost Facility Operator Training course. Her approach to composting is guided by her deep love of ecological conservation and restoration, and her enthusiasm for minimizing financial and material waste. Though a relative newcomer to the industry, Liv looks forward to helping ensure that the future of composting is inclusive, impactful, and exciting. 

When not thinking about organic matter and soil microbes, she can be found in Seattle with her partner and two cats, cooking, hiking, and gardening. 
CFOT is Right Around the Corner!
WORC’s Compost Facility Operator Training is almost here! Forty students will spend a week learning the business and art of composting at the WSU Puyallup – Allmendinger Center from October 16th – 20th. Students will tour commercial facilities and get hands-on experience.  

Countless hours and a lot of heart go into this offering every year. Thank you to all the dedicated volunteers that are making it happen! 
Connect with WORC!
Washington Organic Recycling Council

5727 Baker Way NW, Suite 200 | Gig Harbor, WA 98332

1-877-460-5880
Facebook ‌ LinkedIn ‌