Have you been putting off composting for fear of the extra burden? Well don't! Seattleites have a system for curbside compost pick-up! Your green curbside composting can (that many use for just leaves) is just as easy to utilize as your blue recycling bin.
By sending your organic waste, such as apple cores, coffee grounds and wilting flowers, to your curbside yard waste bin, will ensure their valuable nutrients are not lost inside landfills.
You can collect kitchen scraps, paper plates and even paper towels and napkins and toss them into the yard waste bin. That material is collected weekly and turned into compost. According to Tom Watson, project manager for King County's Recycling and Environmental Services, You can include meat, fish and dairy in your yard waste bin in Renton, Edmonds and many other cities (Check with your city to confirm) in Washington.
Things to compost include:
- eggshells
- food scraps
- vegetable trimmings
- coffee filters
- meat
- Poultry
- pizza boxes
- paper towels
- food-soiled paper
- plastic trays or containers that state that they are compost-able
- tea bags
- paper plates and cups (non-coated)
Don't compost:
- plastics or plastic-coated paper products (shine to it)
Tips for getting started
- To order a Yard Waste Bin, contact Seattle Public Utilities.
- If you live in an apartment, Check with your apartment manager. Food-waste collection at apartments and condos is being phased in in Seattle, and some other area cities.
- Save your food scraps for the Yard Wast Bin. Save yourself multiple trips to your outside compost bin by using a compost bin/bucket, compost-able plastic bags, or plastic Tupperware containers with lids (to prevent the unpleasant oder from escaping).
- Don't forget to add grass clippings, weeds, wilted flowers/ leaves, pumpkins, etc.
TIP: If the unpleasant compost smell is unavoidable in your kitchen, store your compost bag or resealable bin in your freezer. It really works!
Thank you for composting!
by Local Green Circle, September, 2009.