A law passed during the 2022 legislative session requires many cities to adopt a compost procurement ordinance by January 1, 2023.

HB 1799 is a lengthy bill that intends to reduce food and yard waste in landfills by 75% in eight years. To do that, the bill focuses some of its attention on how cities can play a role in collection of organics, siting management facilities, and procuring the result—compost. The first deadline affecting cities is the compost procurement ordinance provision—codified as RCW 43.19A.150.

Which cities must comply?

• Any city where curbside organics collection services are provided
• Any city with a population greater than 25,000

What does the law require?

• Each city must adopt a procurement ordinance to implement RCW 43.19A.120.
• Projects the city must plan for include:
  • Landscape
  • Construction and postconstruction
  • Erosion prevention, stormwater runoff filtration, plant growth, or to improve the stability and longevity of roads
• Each city must develop a strategy to inform residents about the value and city use of compost
• Priority must be given to compost producers that meet the criteria in RCW 43.19A.150(6)
• Reporting every even-numbered year, starting December 2024, to the Department of Ecology stating:
  • Tons of organic material diverted (only applies to those collecting organics)
  • Volume and cost of compost purchased
  • Source(s) of compost

Related laws

Chapter 43.19A also includes related laws that should be reviewed as the city updates or creates its compost procurement ordinance:

• 43.19A.110: Local road projects—Compost products
• 43.19A.120: Use of compost products in projects
• 43.19A.130: Local governments encouraged to enter compost product purchasing agreements
• 43.19A.140: Use of biochar in public works projects (NEW)
• 43.19A.160: Use of compost products