Top Composting & Food Waste in Kirkland, Washington Ranked

For restaurants and food service businesses in Kirkland, managing organic waste is not just an environmental choice-it's a strategic operational decision. The City of Kirkland offers a structured, no-cost commercial food scrap collection program designed to help eligible businesses divert waste from landfills, potentially reduce overall service costs, and comply with Washington State's evolving organics management laws. This initiative transforms food scraps and soiled paper into valuable compost, supporting a circular economy right in our community. By participating, Kirkland businesses contribute to the city's sustainability goals while streamlining their back-of-house waste handling with provided containers and clear guidelines.

Cedar Grove Composting

21902 76th Dr SE, Woodinville, WA 98072

Cedar Grove Composting is based in Bothell, WA, specializing in food waste and composting services for restaurants and other clients. They recycle large amounts of yard and food waste into compost annually, serving the Puget Sound region with delivery options and retail sales of bulk soil and landscape materials. The company also offers compostable packaging products for commercial and residential use. Delivery services include options for shared pickups within a two-mile radius, with additional blower and slinger truck services available through third parties.

4.2

26 Reviews

Cedar Grove Composting

3620 36th Pl NE, Everett, WA 98201

Cedar Grove Composting in Everett, WA specializes in food waste and composting services for restaurants and other commercial clients. They recycle large volumes of yard and food waste into compost annually and offer bulk soil, organics, and landscape materials available for delivery or retail purchase. Their service area includes the Puget Sound region, with options for shared services within a 2-mile radius. They also provide compostable packaging products for both commercial and residential use.

4.2

23 Reviews

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Understanding Kirkland's Commercial Food Scrap Program

Kirkland's program is specifically tailored for businesses that generate a consistent volume of food waste. The core offering is straightforward: eligible restaurants receive weekly collection of their organic discards at no additional charge beyond their standard garbage and recycling service fees ^{1 2 3}. This means the cost of the composting service itself is free; it is bundled into your existing utility rates ^{4 5}.

To qualify, your business must demonstrate a regular generation of food scraps and maintain a good standing with recycling requirements, including having adequate recycling capacity and no recurring issues with contamination ¹. The city also requires a commitment to staff training to ensure proper sorting, which is crucial for keeping the compost stream clean and functional ^{1 6}.

What Materials Are Accepted?

Knowing what goes into the gray compost cart is key to a successful program. The accepted list is comprehensive for kitchen waste:

• All food scraps: This includes fruits, vegetables, meat, bones, fish, shellfish, dairy products, eggs, and eggshells.
• Food-soiled paper: Napkins, paper towels, paper plates, pizza boxes (without waxy coating), and coffee filters.
• Certified compostable bags & packaging: Look for the BPI-certified logo. These bags can be used to line small kitchen pails ^{2 7}.

It is equally important to know what to keep out. Plastic bags are the most common contaminant and are strictly prohibited, even if labeled "biodegradable" ^{1 6}. Other non-accepted items include:

• Pet waste and diapers
• Glass, metal, or plastic
• "Biodegradable" plastics that are not BPI-certified
• Yard waste (which has a separate collection stream) ⁸

Container Systems and Collection Logistics

The city provides a two-part container system to make collection efficient:

1. Small Kitchen Pails: These are provided for use inside your kitchen for staff to collect scraps during food prep and clean-up. They can be lined with certified compostable bags or emptied directly.
2. Gray Carts: This is the exterior cart for weekly pickup. All contents from the kitchen pails are transferred here. Collection is typically weekly and occurs on your private property, integrated with your regular garbage and recycling pickup schedule ^{1 3 6}.

Proper use of this system minimizes odors and pests while ensuring a smooth pickup process for the hauler.

Compliance with Washington State Law

Business participation is becoming increasingly important under Washington's organics management law. While Kirkland's program offers a free pathway for many, the state mandate requires businesses that generate four cubic yards or more of food and yard waste per week in covered urban areas to arrange for organics recycling services ⁹. Even if your volume is currently below this threshold, enrolling in Kirkland's program prepares your business for future compliance and demonstrates environmental leadership.

Steps to Enroll Your Kirkland Restaurant

Getting started with organic waste recycling in Kirkland involves a few key actions:

1. Contact the City: Reach out to Kirkland's Public Works Department to confirm your business's eligibility for the free Commercial Food Scrap Program ^{1 3}.
2. Acquire Supplies: Request the necessary indoor kitchen pails and get guidance on sourcing approved compostable bags.
3. Implement Staff Training: Educate every team member on what is compostable versus what is trash or recyclable. Clear signage and ongoing training are essential to prevent contamination ^{10 7}.
4. Use the System: Begin collecting scraps in your kitchen pails and transfer them to the designated gray cart for weekly pickup.

For the most detailed and up-to-date information, including service agreements and specific guidelines, visiting the City of Kirkland's Public Works website and searching for "Commercial Food Scrap Program" is highly recommended ^{1 3 10}.

The Broader Impact of Food Waste Diversion

Beyond compliance and cost, participating in organics recycling has significant benefits. Diverting food waste reduces methane emissions from landfills, a potent greenhouse gas. The resulting compost enriches soil, supporting local agriculture and landscaping. For a restaurant, it can also be a point of pride and a visible commitment to sustainability that resonates with the Kirkland community. Managing your food scraps effectively is a concrete step toward a more sustainable and efficient operation.

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