Food Waste

Compost is organic matter, such as food waste that has decomposed. It is dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling, and has many beneficial uses. It makes a great supplement for your garden and plants. Composting creates a resource for your garden, can save you money by reducing your disposal costs, and saves landfill space.

Food Waste Composting

Composting saves you money by reducing disposal costs, which saves landfill space. Need help getting started?   Attend a workshop and learn tips and techniques.  Workshops feature step-by-step demonstrations of composting techniques taught by Master Composters from the WSU Thurston County Extension.  Visit our Events page to find out if Composting Workshops are scheduled.

Methods For Food Waste Composting:

  • Worm Bins are shallow, enclosed systems that use live worms to convert food scraps to compost.  A fun, easy way to compost!
  • Food Digesters are enclosed bins that are partially buried.  A convenient way to reduce waste when you don't need compost.
  • Soil Incorporation is a method where food scraps (no meat, dairy, or oil) are buried in the soil at least one foot deep.  Care must be taken with this method, because food scraps can attract pests and rodents.  For more information on soil incorporation, go to gardening.wsu.edu.
  • Compost Food Scraps, but only if your bin is designed to keep pests and rodents out, like the Earth Machine.  Food scraps are a great source of green (nitrogen) material.

What Can I Compost in My Food Waste Compost?

Food Waste Compost

YES

NO

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Bread and grains
  • Coffee grounds
  • Eggshells
  • Tea bags
  • Paper: towels, napkins, plates
  • Meat or animal products
  • Fish
  • Poultry
  • Dairy (cheese, butter, etc.)
  • Oily foods

Get a Food Waste Compost Bin:

  • For worm bins and general composting information: Call WSU Thurston County Extension,  Master Composters (360) 786-5445, extension 7908.
  • Order a composting bin online from the Thurston County Master Composters at www.compostbinsthurstoncounty.com

Visit a Composting Demonstration Garden:

  • Dirt Works, located on Alta Drive off Capital Mall Drive, behind Yauger Park and the Apple Park Apartments.
  • Closed Loop Park, located off Hogum Bay Road at the Thurston County Waste & Recovery Center (Take Exit 111 north, off of I-5). 
  • The Farmer's Market, located downtown at the north end of Capitol Way.

Visit the Thurston County Demonstration Gardens page for more information.

Contact Information: