Redwood Landfill Composting Guide

Yes. Compost that is suitable for use in organic food production in California must be registered as an Organic Input Material with the California Department of Food and Agriculture. This means only a very limited, if any, amount and type of synthetic (i.e. paper and cardboard) material can be included. Investigators conduct routine sampling and inspections, respond to consumer complaints and make sure facilities comply with the laws and regulations.

Imagine everything you put into your compost cart coming back in your food.

Food Scraps

Fruits and vegetables (skins, seeds & pits), seafood bones & shells, grains, bread, eggs & shells, dairy (cheese, butter & yogurt), meat & bones and congealed grease (in paper container).

Food-Soiled Paper

Paper napkins, paper towels, uncoated paper plates (no surface sheen) and greasy pizza boxes, coffee grounds and paper filters, paper tea bags.

Paper Bags, Newspaper & Shredded Paper

Bills & envelopes (no padded or window envelopes & magazines), paper bags.

Yard Trimmings & Untreated Wood

Grass clippings, leaves, plant and tree trimmings, untreated Wood – no plywood, painted or stained wood.

Some items labeled as compostable or bio-degradable on their packaging are not recognized by the US Department of Agriculture as feedstock for compost used in organic farming. Since Redwood Landfill’s WM EarthCare composting operation is committed to generating ORMI-approved compost, this limits some of the materials we’re able to accept.

Unacceptable Items for Composting at Redwood Landfill Include: Compostable or Biodegradable Bags* Corn, sugar or potato-based utensils & containers* Paper cups – 99% have plasticized liner* PLA (Polylactic Acid) Cold Cups* Diapers Pet Waste Dead Animals Treated Wood – plywood, painted or stained wood * Not USDA approved for organic farming

Tips for Collecting Food Scraps

	COLLECT: Use a kitchen pail, a reusable plastic tub or paper bags. Include food-soiled paper such as coffee filters and tea bags, paper plates, napkins, and paper towels. Freezing food scraps or wrapping them in newspaper can prevent leaks and odors.
	SEPARATE: Separate food scraps while preparing meals, scraping plates and cleaning the fridge.
	EMPTY: Empty food scraps, food-soiled paper and plant debris into green compost cart.

Tips for Keeping Organics Cart Clean

Placing woody materials and paper products in your organics cart naturally reduces odor.

• Include yard trimmings (especially leaves and woody material)
• Place cardboard or newspapers in bottom of cart
• Use paper bags to contain food scraps
• Add shredded paper – all your bills and personal papers are compostable

Nearly 90 percent of Marin’s organics (food scraps and yard trimmings) go to Redwood Landfill’s WM EarthCare of Marin composting facility in Novato. This state-of-the-art composting facility produces compost approved for organic farming. Residents can be proud that their discarded organics are used to grow food and nourish local soil. WM EarthCare Homegrown Compost carries the industry’s highest standards of excellence.

USCC Seal of Testing Assurance US Composting Council created testing protocols to ensure that compost is tested to the highest industry standard and that consumers have information on the quality of the compost that they are using. USCC Certified laboratories test compost to measure: pH; Soluble Salts; Nutrient Content (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium); Organic Matter; Moisture Content; Particle Size; Maturity; Stability; contamination, Metals; and Pathogens. WM tests batches weekly and makes results available to the public. To read more about the test, visit US Composting Council. To see testing results go to www.wmearthcare.com.

CDFA Registered The California Department of Food and Agriculture conducts site visits to participating composters and takes independent samples to validate compost nutrition claims (1 percent nitrogen for WM Earthcare Homegrown Compost) and inspects feedstock and the composting process to ensure that it is compliant with the US Department of Agriculture National Organics Program.

OMRI Listed The Organic Materials Review Institute is a non-profit that provides an independent review of compost intended for use in certified organic production. Acceptable products are OMRI Listed. WM EarthCare Homegrown Compost is OMRI listed.