Compostival: Residents Rewarded for Composting 350,000 Tons of Compostable Materials

Today King County Solid Waste Division, Seattle Public Utilities and Cedar Grove announced “Compostival!” a celebration to reward residents for their participation in diverting 350,000 tons of yard waste, food and food-soiled paper from landfills each year. Starting Monday, Oct. 7, Compostival will partner with Zeeks Pizza to offer free scratch-and-win tickets to diners for a chance to win an array of prizes including free pizza, compost and game tickets.

“The Seattle-metro area has one of the fastest growing commercial organics programs in the United States with 2,200 businesses participating in food waste collection programs. Like our Seattle and King County residents, businesses such as Zeeks Pizza are doing an amazing job when it comes to composting, So far this year, Zeeks Pizza diverted 450 tons of food scraps from entering the landfill,” said John Inge, Marketing Director with Cedar Grove.

Through Oct. 17, diners at Zeeks Pizza locations will receive a “Compostival!” scratch-and-win card with a chance to win great prizes, including free or discounted pizza, compost and a grand prize including two premium tickets to the Seattle versus Tampa Bay football game at Centurylink Field. Plus, every scratch-and-win card includes a coupon for a free bag of compost with the purchase of two bags.

“About one-third of what comes to the landfill every year is food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard waste that should instead go into the yard waste cart for composting to divert those resources from the landfill,” said Pat McLaughlin, director of the King County Solid Waste Division. “The average household generates nearly 50 pounds of food scraps and food-soiled paper each month, and we want to thank everyone who is already doing their part to increase recycling of this valuable resource.”

By increasing the production and use of compost, communities can reduce pesticide use and erosion runoff, create healthy soils for optimal planting and growth, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Many people aren’t aware that fall is an important season to build your garden’s soil nutrients,” said Tim Croll, Solid Waste Director with Seattle Public Utilities.  “We believe the Compostival! campaign will   result in more gardens with optimal, healthy soils for planting and growth next spring.”