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