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<br />2020 Solid Waste and Moderate <br />Risk Waste Management Plan Update <br /> <br />4-16 AX0304191054PDX <br />The Operations Plan will be reviewed and revised if needed on a yearly basis in conjunction with the solid <br />waste handling permit renewal to remain in compliance with the current permit. <br />4.4.2.2 Curbside Collection of Yard Waste <br />In Ellensburg, curbside yard waste collection is available on a subscription basis. Yard waste is collected <br />on a weekly basis from April to October, and a monthly basis from November through March. Curbside <br />yard waste collection is available for a fee. <br />No programs exist for the collection and composting of food waste. <br />4.4.2.3 Yard Waste Drop-Off <br />Clean yard waste may be dropped off by County residents and businesses at the Cle Elum transfer <br />station and at the Ellensburg composting facility. Self-haul customers that segregate clean yard waste <br />qualify for a reduced disposal fee at the transfer station and composting facility. <br />4.4.2.4 Composting Workshops <br />The Kittitas County Solid Waste Department holds backyard composting workshops for residents each <br />year to reduce the amount of yard trimmings that are processed or disposed in the MSW stream. These <br />workshops educate the public on the benefits of composting while emphasizing the importance of waste <br />reduction. The County expanded this program to include the Master Composter program, which certifies <br />participants as Master Composters and asks them to volunteer their time to educate the public at <br />community activity booths, at schools, or by helping maintain a compost demonstration site at locations in <br />both upper and lower Kittitas County. <br />4.4.3 Composting Needs and Opportunities <br />The County should address the following needs to capture more organic material as a resource rather <br />than a waste. <br /> Completion of the new compost facility co-located at the new transfer station that will replace <br />Ellensburg transfer station. The new compost facility will use the aerated static pile composting <br />methodology. <br /> A private-sector collector of food waste and compostable paper because they are not included in the <br />County’s organics programs. <br /> Yard waste collection service in outlying cities and urban growth areas. <br /> In the future, the County may enact policies and measures regarding import of organic waste from <br />other apple maggot quarantine areas. <br />4.4.4 Composting Recommended Options and Implementation Actions <br />The following options for improving composting are recommended. Each option and the associated <br />implementation actions are discussed below. <br />4.4.4.1 Composting Public Education and Outreach <br />Continue to develop and distribute educational material outlining the current composting program and its <br />benefits including contributions to greenhouse gas reductions. Examples of outreach include, but are not <br />limited to: <br /> Promote home composting as a mechanism to divert food waste from the home. <br /> Inform the public about grasscycling and composting options through educational materials, displays, <br />workshops, and demonstration sites.