Home Composting

Home composting is an economical and convenient alternative to bagging yard debris for disposal or hauling it to transfers stations. Composting, a form of "natural" recycling, takes ordinary green and brown yard waste and transforms it into a superior soil amendment that improves the health of plants. Compost enhances water absorption and is an attractive mulch that promotes weed and erosion control. In Spokane County there are several different ways to make sure your clean green material is composted.

Grass and yard debris collection is not part of regular garbage service. However, citizens can request the service and have yard debris collected weekly at the curbside. Waste Management, City of Spokane Solid Waste Management Department, and Sunshine Recycling & Disposal (for residents of Deer Park), provide collection services. Check with your hauler about additional costs for this service.

Grass and other yard debris may also be dropped off at the Waste to Energy Facility, the Valley Recycling/Transfer Station and the North County Recycling/Transfer Station. Click here for additional information.

Check this out: Composting 101

The Benefits of Composting:

Composting yard and garden waste at home helps you:

• Produce your own rich, beneficial soil additive
• Discard less garbage and pay lower garbage bills
• Conserve earth's resources
• Protect and improve your environment

Use compost on your yard and garden to improve your soil. Compost returns nutrients to the soil such as phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, iron and boron.

Compost improves the texture or "tilth" of the soil providing:

• Easier cultivation
• Better water retention in loose or sandy soils
• Better drainage in clay or other heavy soils
• Less plant distress from over wet or over dry conditions
• Healthier plants which require far less commercial chemicals(fertilizers, pesticides etc.)
• Compost reduces soil diseases by feeding the soil a balanced diet

Compost is an attractive and valuable mulch that:

• Promotes weed and erosion control
• Protects plant roots from sun and wind damage
• Conserves water

Make and use compost at home - SAVE $$ and RESOURCES:

• Lower garbage bills
• Free soil additive, replacing most yard and garden chemicals
• Lower water bills
• Less work weeding

A feeling of achievement when your yard and garden are more attractive and you are doing your part to save resources - and replenish the earth!