Composting
Good for the Soil and the Soul
Yard and food-waste composting is the natural process of decay of organic materials. Backyard composting simply helps the natural process that would take place whether or not we did anything! Backyard composting is helping nature do what it has always done -- every organism's waste is another organism's food. And it's rewarding.
Not only is it less expensive to compost yard waste than to haul it away as garbage, it is important to keep yard waste out of landfills. In covered landfills, the decay process of yard waste is anaerobic and produces methane gas, which poses a significant problem for lined landfills.
Download Our Composting Brochures
Waste Wise Volunteers offer several informative brochures on how to compost. To view and print PDF files of the brochures, click on the links. Or, e-mail your request for a copy of the brochures to Waste Wise at halljn@wsu.edu.
Composting Demonstration Site
A composting demonstration site is located in the woods behind Admiralty Head Lighthouse on the grounds of Fort Casey, where the Waste Wise program is headquartered. The public may view several types of composting systems in action and consider the pros and cons of each.
Food Waste Composting
Food waste is an excellent source of nutrients for compost but must be handled with care to avoid attracting rodents. Most, but not all, food waste may be composted. Do not compost meat or dairy products.
The three main ways to compost food waste are:
- Vermiculture (worm bins). Download our brochures: Worm Composting Basics and How to Build the Tilth Worm Composting Bin.
- Home-made food waste compster. To make your own in-ground, food-waste composter, punch holes in an old metal garbage can and bury it in the ground with just the top several inches and the metal lid exposed above ground level. Download our brochure: Homemade Food Waste Composter.
- Bury food waste in the garden. Food waste also may be buried directly in the garden. It should be buried in a hole or trench covered by at least 8 - 12 inches of soil, no nearer than 100 feet of a well, water source, stream or pond.
Where to Take Yard Waste
For those not able to compost their own yard waste, three locations on Whidbey Island will accept it.
- Coupeville. The transfer station will chip yard waste on-site.
- Langley. The water treatment plant will accept yard waste, provided that a ticket for disposal has been purchased at Langley Town Hall.
- Oak Harbor. Mailliard Landing, a private business, also will accept yard waste and do the composting for a fee.
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