WM&R Subcommittee Recommendations

WM- 11
Organic Waste

Summary of Issue(s) and Benefits Status

• Compostable waste accounts for over 40% of all waste
produced by individuals—the largest single percentage
—current methods for waste disposal landfill or
incinerate this waste.

• Both methods produce prodigious amounts of green

house gases (methane and CO2), and has a prohibitive
economic cost.

• Organic compost, when combined with soil, acts as a

carbon sink. 1

• Composting waste produces a marketable product,

reducing operating costs and possibly leading to
profitability.

• Possible future national carbon trading plans shows a

potential for further increased profits.

• Composting reduces costs through eliminating or

drastically reducing tipping fees on organic waste

Recommendation/Strategy/Action Plan
1. Research the feasibility of the development of an
organic waste composting program to handle the city’s
organic waste stream, including any rules or ordinances
that may prohibit composting of food waste;

2. Facilitate and encourage composting of organic

waste through either:
a. Offering assistance and support in the
development of a pilot curbside compost program.2
b. coordinating and encouraging those groups,
individuals, and organizations who are interested in
developing a composting co-op to process the City’s
organics.3

3. Encourage the use of biodegradable packaging and

garbage bags.4

4. Encourage, through education and possible

subsidization, the use of backyard composting vessels,
which could account for up to 1/4th reduction in the MSW
stream.5

5. Foster a dialogue between local agriculture and

landscaping enterprises, city and county waste handlers,
and restaurants and other copious producers of organic
waste to explore the creation of an organics market.6

6. Encourage the use of finished compost as an

City of Charleston, SC
Climate Protection and Sustainability Plan Page 1 of 3
WM&R Subcommittee Recommendations
WM- 11
Organic Waste

alternative to chemical fertilizers in city activities.

Estimated Green House Gas Reduction Achieved and Other

Performance Measures/Metrics
-X% reduction of compostable waste from city buildings (will
require a waste audit to determine the existing percentage of
compostable waste being thrown away to a landfill, and then
annual waste audits after composting program implemented)
-X% reduction of compostable waste from residential buildings
-X amount of people receiving composting guidance
-X amount of people understanding composting guidance
-X amount of people utilizing composting guidance
-X amount of $ saved by businesses
-----
-X% of waste diverted from the landfill, leading to
reduction in GHG production resulting from landfill and
incineration activities.*
-X amount of reduction in use of petroleum based
fertilizers.
-X amount of waste diverted from incineration.
*The EPA estimates that .05 metric tons of carbon
equivalent per wet ton of finished compost is
sequestered after 10 years.

Implementation Responsibilities/Assignments

MILESTONES
1. Conduct a waste audit to determine existing percentage of
compostable waste being landfilled or incinerated.
2. Report on the feasibility of the development of a City organic
waste composting program
3. Develop a draft document outlining the feasibility, extent,
regulations, and researcher recommendations for an action
plan
4. Coordinate/facilitate meetings with relevant people to
implement the organic waste action plan
5. Develop guidance and an action plan for interested City
employee composting
6. Provide research/guidance/implementation plans for a pilot
curbside compost program
7. Develop outreach materials on the use of biodegradable
plastic packaging and the use of backyard composting vessels
8. Research the feasibility of subsidizing citizens for use of
backyard composting vessels
9. Coordinate/facilitate meetings between relevant
stakeholders for the creation of an organics market
10. Develop a city drop site for food waste to be composted
11. Help develop a business co-op to economize food waste
composting
12. Conduct research on uses and application of organic
compost in city activities.
13. Develop a draft document on the implementation of
organic compost

Cost to Implement/Net Savings from Implementation

Timeline for Implementation/Performance Goals

City of Charleston, SC
Climate Protection and Sustainability Plan Page 2 of 3
WM&R Subcommittee Recommendations
WM- 11
Organic Waste

PERFORMANCE MEASURES
-X% reduction of compostable waste from local businesses and
city buildings being landfilled or incinerated.
-X% reduction of residential compostable waste being landfilled
or incinerated.
-X amount of people receiving composting guidance
-X amount of people utilizing composting guidance
-Money saved by businesses and individuals participating in co-
op, curbside compost, and home compost programs.

References (standards, other cities etc.)

Dominic, Ernest, Favoino, and Hogg. The Potential Role of Compost in Reducing
Greenhouse Gases. 2008. Waste Management & Research, Vol. 26, No. 1, 61­69

2
The city of Boulder, CO tested two curbside compost pilot programs, leading to a 60% 
waste diversion.  Post­pilot, current diversion is 40%

3. Restaurants in Chicago are forming just such compost co-ops

4.  In encouraging biodegradable plastics, governments such as Malta have used a carrot­
and­stick approach, increasing taxes on eco­unfriendly plastics, while keeping biodegrad­
able products tax exempt.  Other cities, like Chicago, have introduced legislation to en­
courage “buyers co­ops” to reduce the price of such plastics.  San Francisco is one of the 
leading city for plastic waste reduction and biodegradable plastic use.

5.Indiana State Government Backyard Composting Fact Sheet. 
http://www.in.gov/idem/4571.htm  

6. Kashmanian, Richard.  Markets for Compost. EPA. 1993. 

City of Charleston, SC
Climate Protection and Sustainability Plan Page 3 of 3