What started as a pilot project in 2008, to see if Olympia businesses were interested in compost collection, turned into a successful Commercial Organics Program.
The City of Olympia offers businesses within the city a different way to dispose of organic waste and the opportunity to save money. Collected materials are turned into compost and kept out of the landfill.
The first step is to contact City staff for a free waste assessment. The program’s success has evolved over time.
“Our pilot started with under a dozen city businesses and has grown to over 150 businesses,” says Spencer Orman, Senior Program Specialist with the City of Olympia Waste ReSources.
“In 2016, we expect to collect over 800 tons of organics for composting. That keeps a lot of waste out of the landfill.”
To keep up with demand, a second collection day was added in 2015.
Participants range from restaurants, grocery stores, healthcare facilities, to churches, schools, and offices. With so many different places participating, a new composting norm is being created in Olympia. People can compost at work, at school, and where they dine and attend events. This builds upon the City’s traditional home compost collection.
Getting started is easy – just call 360.753.8752 for a free waste assessment.
It takes about an hour and covers organics collection, recycling, and waste reduction ideas. We discuss what you currently do and what you would like to achieve. A waste assessment shows how your current efforts, as well as new opportunities, can keep compostable materials out of the garbage. Each assessment is followed up with a letter with recommendations.
If organics collection is right for you, service can start within a week. To help new customers be successful, we offer the first two months of service at no charge when signing up for a year.
We help with indoor collection carts, posters, and onsite assistance. Along with compost collection, other opportunities to recycle traditional materials, as well as some non-traditional items, such as pallets, foam, scrap metal, and plastics may be available.
For more information, contact Spencer Orman, City of Olympia, at [email protected] or 360.753.8752.