Chapter 2.35
COMPOST PROCUREMENT POLICY
Sections:
2.35.010 Definitions.
“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, 100 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 60 percent composted material. Bark is not a finished compost product. [Ord. 23-039 § 1, 6-13-23.]
2.35.020 General policy.
Cowlitz County shall purchase finished compost products for public projects in which compost is an appropriate material in county projects or on county lands. Cowlitz County is not required to use compost products if:
A. Compost products are not available within a reasonable period of time;
B. Compost products that are available do not comply with existing purchasing standards; and
C. Available compost products do not comply with federal or state health, quality, or safety standards.
D. Compost purchase prices are neither reasonable nor competitive.
Pursuant to RCW 43.19A.130, Cowlitz County will strive to purchase an amount of finished compost products equal or greater than 50 percent of the amount of organic materials delivered to the compost processor. [Ord. 23-039 § 2, 6-13-23.]
2.35.030 Local purchasing.
Cowlitz County will purchase finished compost products from companies producing compost locally, are certified by a nationally recognized organization, such as the US 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 as close as possible to Cowlitz County. Cowlitz County defines “local” as compost providers located within a 50-mile radius of the transfer station in Longview. Proof that locally produced compost was not available at the time of purchase or was cost-prohibitive shall be documented. [Ord. 23-039 § 3, 6-13-23.]
2.35.040 Planning.
In order to meet the general policy, Cowlitz County shall plan for compost use in the following categories:
A. Landscaping projects;
B. Construction and post-construction soil amendments;
C. Applications to prevent erosion, filter stormwater runoff, promote vegetative growth, or improve the stability and longevity of roadways; and
D. 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 CCC 2.35.060. [Ord. 23-039 § 4, 6-13-23.]
2.35.050 Education.
Cowlitz County shall conduct educational outreach to inform residents about the value of compost and how the jurisdiction uses compost in its operations each year. [Ord. 23-039 § 5, 6-13-23.]
2.35.060 Reporting1.
By December 31, 2024, and each December 31st of even-numbered years thereafter, Cowlitz County shall report the following information to the Department of Ecology:
A. Total tons of organic material diverted (from landfills) each year;
B. The volume and cost of composted material purchased each year; and
C. The source(s) of the finished compost product purchased. [Ord. 23-039 § 6, 6-13-23.]
For compost use tracking and reporting, only the volume of composted material is reported, based on the percentage of compost material in a finished compost product. For example, a typical bioretention soil blend is 40 percent compost and 60 percent sand. If a jurisdiction bought 10 cubic yards of bioretention soil, it would report four cubic yards of composted material usage.