Model ordinances for organics management
The legislature directed us to adopt a model ordinance that local governments could use to support managing their organic materials. The model ordinance needed to establish disincentives for people to create or ultimately dispose of organic materials in a landfill (RCW 70A.207.030). Local governments do not have to adopt the model ordinance language. Jurisdictions who do adopt the model language are not required to get a State Environmental Planning Act (SEPA) review.
Determination of Nonsignificance for organic management model ordinances
We are releasing model ordinances to support local governments divert organic materials from landfills. Organic materials in landfills produce methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Landfilling these materials also misses economic opportunities to recycle organic materials into compost or other product. These ordinances are optional for cities and counties to adopt. They provide draft language for
- Requiring waste reduction, diversion, and management plans as part of special event permits; and
- Implementing mandatory organics collection for single-family residents and certain businesses within the Organics Recycling Collection Area (ORCA) (RCW 70A.205.540) and/or Business Organics Management Area (BOMA) (RCW 70A.205.545); and
- Requiring new buildings to design for organic materials collection when 0.25 cubic yards per week or more of organic waste are anticipated to be generated at the final site.
Submit comments
Send comments about our Determination of Nonsignificance and the model ordinance through the public comment page.
Mail comments to:
Patrick Merscher
Washington Department of Ecology – SWM
PO Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
Written comments must be postmarked by Jan. 28, 2025.
Documents
- SEPA Environmental Checklist
- SEPA Checklist Appendix A
- Appendix B - Literature Review
- Appendix C – Outreach List
- Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS)
- Organics Management Law Focus Sheet
- Business Organic Management Area (BOMA) map
- Compost facility list and map
- Environmental Protection Agency’s WARM tool
- Model ordinances proposed for adoption
Local SEPA reviews
Local governments may ultimately need to pass an ordinance to comply with parts of the Organics Management Law, including mandatory service. If local governments use the model ordinance, a local SEPA review is not required per RCW 70A.207.030. Changes to ordinance language that have foreseeable impacts to the natural or built environment may require an additional SEPA review at the local level. Local SEPA Lead Agencies should work with city and county staff to complete local reviews when needed.
Contact information
Patrick Merscher
Organics and Food Center specialist
patrick.merscher@ecy.wa.gov
564-233-1065
Organics management group
organics@ecy.wa.gov