Chapter 1.396
COMPOST PROCUREMENT POLICY
Sections:
1.396.010 Definition.
A “finished compost product” means a product created with “composted material” as defined in RCW 70A.205.015(3). Finished compost products include, but are not limited to, one hundred percent finished compost or blends that include compost as a primary ingredient. Mulch is considered a finished compost product if it contains a minimum of sixty percent composted material. Bark is not a finished compost product. (Res. 2022-116 § 1, 11/22/22).
1.396.020 General policy.
Chelan County shall purchase finished compost products for use in public projects in which compost is an appropriate material in county projects or on county land, provided it is not cost prohibitive to acquire. “Cost prohibitive” is defined as a product purchasing cost that exceeds ten percent of the cost of another product that would serve the same purpose. Chelan County is not required to use compost products if:
(1) Compost products are not available within a reasonable period of time;
(2) Compost products that are available do not comply with existing purchasing standards; and
(3) Available compost products do not comply with federal or state health, quality, or safety standards.
Pursuant to RCW 43.19A.130, Chelan County will strive to purchase an amount of finished compost products equal or greater than fifty percent of the amount of organic materials delivered to the compost processor. (Res. 2022-116 § 2, 11/22/22).
1.396.030 Local purchasing.
Chelan County will purchase finished compost products from companies producing compost locally, are certified by a nationally recognized organization, such as the U.S. Composting Council, and produce finished compost products derived from municipal solid waste compost programs while meeting quality standards adopted by the Department of Transportation or adopted by rule by the Department of Ecology. If locally produced compost is not available, compost shall be sourced from outside the region, with preference given to products sourced as close as possible to Chelan County. (Res. 2022-116 § 3, 11/22/22).
1.396.040 Planning.
In order to meet the general policy, Chelan County shall use compost in the following categories:
(1) Landscaping projects;
(2) Construction and postconstruction soil amendments;
(3) Applications to prevent erosion, filter stormwater runoff, promote vegetative growth, or improve the stability and longevity of roadways; and
(4) Low-impact development of green infrastructure to filter pollutants or to keep water on site, or both.
This plan will be reassessed each December 31st of even-numbered years, beginning in 2024 and thereafter as part of the reporting obligations in Section 1.396.060. (Res. 2022-116 § 4, 11/22/22).
1.396.050 Education.
Chelan County shall inform residents about the value of compost and how the jurisdiction uses compost in its operations in the solid waste management plan pursuant to RCW 70A.205.045. (Res. 2022-116 § 5, 11/22/22).
1.396.060 Reporting.
By December 31, 2024, and each December 31st of even-numbered years thereafter, Chelan County shall report the following information to the Department of Ecology:
(1) Total tons of organic material diverted throughout the year;
(2) The volume and cost of composted material purchased throughout the year; and
(3) The source(s) of the finished compost product purchased. (Res. 2022-116 § 6, 11/22/22).