How do I recycle organic waste?

Residents have choices for recycling food waste into compost:

• Residents living within the Corvallis and Salem city limits, have the option of placing food waste and other organic material in the Mixed Organic Cart (formerly called "The Yard Debris Cart" or "Green Waste Cart"). 
• Residents living outside these cities may be eligible for a yard debris cart.

Commercial customers also have a variety of options:

• Allied Waste provides commercial services from small carts to compactors. If your business is in Portland, Lake Oswego, Corvallis or Salem, contact us to help set up a commercial food waste recycling program. 
• If Allied Waste is your hauler, contact us to inquire about adding food waste collection to your service.

Why compost?

Turning your food waste into compost is great for the environment. It’s estimated that more than 20% of waste going to landfills is food. Recovering this organic material is environmentally beneficial.

Sustainability

• Composting is a sustainable solution to beneficially reuse organic materials which are rich in nutrients. 
• Compost application helps retain soil moisture, increases soil nutrients, decreases the need for commercial chemicals and helps prevent soil erosion.

Technology

• Mixed organic material is composted in aerated windrows. 
• The high temperatures generated ensure that bacteria and pathogens are eliminated. 
• Compost piles are covered to control temperatures, moisture, odors and microorganisms. 
• A bio-filter removes odor from air pulled through the compost. 
• Compost from the Pacific Region Compost (PRC) facility is made from yard waste, wood waste and food waste. Non-organic material must be removed by hand before composting to prevent contamination.

Getting Started

How do I collect food to put in the cart?

Food can go directly in the cart and does not need to be contained in a bag or box. In fact, it is preferable to place material in the cart loose. Plastic (including bags) is the hardest thing for our equipment to remove and one bag can contaminate a large quantity of potential compost.

The easiest way to collect food waste is to keep a container with a tight fitting lid on the kitchen counter, under the sink or in a convenient place of your choosing. Scrape food directly into it as you prepare food or clean the kitchen. There are many containers on the market or you may find something at home that can be re-purposed, like a bucket or yogurt tub. Use the container and method that works best for you.

Ideally, you will be mixing yard debris and food waste in the Mixed Organic Cart. It’s a good idea to layer some yard debris under and on top of food waste to keep the cart cleaner and odor free. You can also layer with newspaper or cardboard if you don’t have yard clippings. The same layering applies to home composting.

Garbage disposals vs. composting

There is discussion in the sustainability world about the use of garbage disposals and the effect on the environment. A few things to keep in mind:

• Garbage disposals use additional water. 
• Garbage disposals send food residue to municipal water treatment plants where solids are again removed.

What goes in the Mixed Organic Cart?

All food waste except grease and liquids can be included in the Mixed Organic Cart. Meats and dairy products like cheese can now be included. Other compostable materials like egg shells, paper towels, coffee filters and coffee grounds and food contaminated paper like pizza boxes can also be included in the cart.

The same material can be included in your home composting pile, although meats and dairy products are difficult and may draw animal visitors.

Food Waste

Oregon has always been a leader in sustainability and green living. With the lush valleys, vineyards, trees and rivers protecting the environment is also a way of life here. For many residents, composting has been one part of that. Others have been seeking a responsible, economic method to compost. At the Pacific Region Compost facility (PRC), we are pleased to offer just such an opportunity.

The PRC is leading the way as Oregon’s first facility permitted to compost meats and dairy products along with wood waste and landscaping material (green waste). Whether you’re looking to compost organic waste or if you want our natural, nutrient-rich final product, contact us today. This significant investment shows that we are an environmental partner you can count on.

The following is a list of items that the PRC can compost:

Ask your local hauler if they have a food waste recycling program and how you can participate. Or, if you need a service provider, contact us today. Food waste recycling at the PRC, it’s the right thing to do.