Composting in Everett, Washington offers residents a practical way to reduce waste and contribute to environmental sustainability. The city encourages composting through education and resources, aiming to divert organic materials from landfills and create nutrient-rich soil for gardens and landscapes. While Everett itself does not provide composting services, residents have options for managing their organic waste effectively.

Snohomish County, which includes Everett, provides guidelines and support for home composting. Residents can easily start composting food scraps and yard waste using simple containers or designated composting bins. This practice not only reduces household waste but also produces valuable amendments for improving soil health in gardens and landscaping projects.

For those unable to compost at home, local waste management services offer yard waste and food scrap collection. These materials are then processed at commercial facilities, turning what would have been garbage into a valuable resource. By participating in composting efforts, Everett residents play a crucial role in supporting the city’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Understanding Composting

Composting transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich soil amendment. This natural process benefits Everett residents and the environment by reducing landfill waste and improving soil quality.

What Composting Is and Why It Matters

Composting is the controlled decomposition of organic materials. It breaks down food scraps, yard waste, and other biodegradable items into a dark, crumbly substance called compost. This process occurs through the action of microorganisms, insects, and worms.

In Everett, composting plays a crucial role in waste management. It diverts a significant portion of organic waste from landfills, where it would otherwise produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Composting systems can range from simple backyard bins to large-scale municipal facilities. These systems accelerate the natural decomposition process, creating usable compost in weeks or months rather than years.

Benefits of Composting for Everett Residents

Composting offers numerous advantages for Everett’s community and environment. It enriches soil structure, enhancing water retention and reducing erosion. This improves plant growth and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.

By composting, residents can reduce their household waste by up to 40%. This eases the burden on local landfills and waste management systems. It also helps lower greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste transportation and disposal.

Compost use in gardens and landscaping promotes sustainability. It reduces water consumption and supports healthy plant growth. This contributes to greener, more vibrant outdoor spaces throughout Everett.

Participating in composting fosters environmental awareness and community engagement. It empowers residents to take an active role in local sustainability efforts.

Starting Your Compost

Composting transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich soil. It’s an eco-friendly way to recycle food scraps and yard waste while improving water quality and soil health.

Selecting the Right Composting System

Choose a system that fits your space and needs. For small yards, consider a compact bin or tumbler. Larger properties can accommodate open piles or multi-bin systems. Enclosed bins work well for food scraps, preventing pests and odors. Tumblers offer easy turning for faster decomposition.

Evaluate your waste volume. A family of four typically needs a 3x3x3 foot bin. For yard waste only, open piles or wire mesh enclosures suffice. Urban dwellers might opt for indoor worm composting systems.

Consider ease of use. Bins with removable sides allow easy access. Tumblers with handles simplify turning. Some systems have multiple chambers for continuous composting.

Essentials for a Successful Compost

Balance is key. Mix “green” materials (nitrogen-rich) like food scraps and grass clippings with “brown” materials (carbon-rich) such as dry leaves and paper. Aim for a 3:1 ratio of browns to greens.

Proper moisture is crucial. The pile should feel like a wrung-out sponge. Add water if too dry, or dry materials if too wet.

Aeration promotes decomposition. Turn the pile weekly or use a compost aerator tool. This introduces oxygen, speeding up the process.

Size matters. Maintain a minimum 3x3x3 foot pile to generate enough heat for decomposition. Chop larger materials to increase surface area for faster breakdown.

Monitor temperature. A hot pile (130-150°F) indicates active decomposition. Use a compost thermometer to check.

What to Compost

Composting transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich soil amendment. Proper selection of compostable materials ensures a successful and safe composting process.

Composting Food Waste and Yard Debris

Food scraps and yard waste are excellent additions to compost bins. Fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, and tea bags can be composted easily. These items break down quickly and add valuable nutrients to the mix.

Yard debris such as leaves, grass clippings, and small twigs are also compostable. They provide carbon-rich “brown” materials that balance the nitrogen-rich “green” food scraps.

Paper products like newspaper, cardboard, and paper towels can be composted in moderation. Shred them first to speed up decomposition.

Items to Avoid in Your Compost

Certain materials should never be added to compost bins. Meat, fish, and dairy products attract pests and create unpleasant odors. They may also introduce harmful pathogens into the compost.

Pet waste, including cat litter, should be kept out of compost piles due to potential parasites and diseases.

Avoid composting diseased plants, as this can spread plant pathogens throughout your garden.

Glass, metal, and plastic are not biodegradable and should be recycled separately. These materials can contaminate compost and reduce its quality.

Treated wood, glossy paper, and coal ash contain chemicals that may harm plants when added to soil.

Composting in Everett

Everett residents have several options for composting organic waste. Local regulations guide composting practices, while community programs offer support and resources.

Local Regulations and Facilities

Everett does not provide municipal composting services. Residents must arrange for private collection or compost at home. Snohomish County operates solid waste facilities that accept yard waste and food scraps. The nearest facility to Everett is located in Mountlake Terrace.

Home composting is permitted in Everett, with some restrictions. Compost bins must be at least 3 feet from property lines. Only plant materials and food scraps are allowed. Meat, dairy, and oils are prohibited to prevent odors and pests.

Community Programs and Support

Washington State University Extension offers composting workshops in Everett. These programs teach residents how to set up backyard composting systems and manage them effectively. The extension also provides a Master Composter volunteer program.

Local garden clubs and community gardens in neighborhoods like Silver Lake and South Everett often organize composting initiatives. These groups share resources and knowledge about composting techniques suited to the Pacific Northwest climate.

Some Everett schools have implemented composting programs. Students learn about waste reduction and soil health through hands-on composting projects. These efforts help divert organic waste from landfills while educating the next generation.

Maintaining Your Compost

Proper maintenance ensures a healthy composting process, promoting efficient breakdown of organic materials. Regular attention to key factors will help create nutrient-rich compost for your garden.

Ideal Conditions for Composting

Maintaining optimal conditions is crucial for effective composting. Keep the compost bin moist but not waterlogged. Aim for a moisture level similar to a wrung-out sponge. Proper aeration is essential – turn the compost every 1-2 weeks to introduce oxygen. This helps beneficial microorganisms thrive and speeds up decomposition.

Balance carbon-rich “brown” materials (leaves, paper) with nitrogen-rich “green” materials (food scraps, grass clippings) in roughly a 3:1 ratio. This provides the right nutrient mix for composting organisms. Chop or shred larger items to increase surface area and accelerate breakdown.

Monitor temperature. A warm pile (130-150°F) indicates active decomposition. If it’s too cool, add more green materials and turn the pile. In colder months, insulate the bin to maintain heat.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Odor problems often indicate excess moisture or lack of oxygen. Add dry brown materials and turn the pile to resolve this. If the compost is too dry and decomposition slows, add water and green materials.

Pests can be deterred by burying food scraps in the center of the pile and covering with brown materials. Avoid adding meat, dairy, or oily foods, which attract rodents and other unwanted visitors.

For slow decomposition, ensure proper moisture, aeration, and material balance. Adding a small amount of finished compost or soil can introduce beneficial microorganisms to jumpstart the process.

Address contamination by removing any non-compostable items. Be vigilant about what goes into your bin to maintain compost quality and prevent issues downstream.

Using Your Compost

Compost provides valuable nutrients and improves soil structure for gardens and landscapes. It enhances plant growth, soil health, and water retention while reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.

Enhancing Your Garden with Compost

Mix compost into garden beds before planting to enrich the soil. Add 2-3 inches of compost and work it into the top 6-8 inches of soil. For established plants, apply a 1-2 inch layer around the base, avoiding direct contact with stems. Use compost as a nutrient-rich mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture.

Incorporate compost into potting mixes for container gardens. A ratio of 1 part compost to 3 parts soil works well for most plants. For heavy feeders like tomatoes, increase the compost ratio. When planting trees or shrubs, blend compost with native soil in the planting hole to promote root growth.

Compost and Soil Health

Compost improves soil structure by increasing organic matter content. This enhances water retention, reduces erosion, and promotes beneficial microbial activity. Sandy soils benefit from compost’s water-holding capacity, while clay soils become more friable and better-draining.

Regular compost applications build long-term soil fertility. The slow release of nutrients reduces leaching and runoff, protecting water quality. Compost buffers soil pH and provides trace minerals often lacking in synthetic fertilizers. It also increases the soil’s ability to store carbon, contributing to climate change mitigation.

For lawns, apply a thin layer of compost as a top dressing in spring or fall. This improves turf health and reduces the need for chemical inputs. In vegetable gardens, rotate compost applications to different areas each season to maintain balanced soil nutrition.