Master Composter/Recycler Program

12 page Master ComposterRecyclers Program (3)

Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed in a process called composting. This process recycles various organic materials (such as food waste) otherwise regarded as waste products and produces a nutrient-rich soil "conditioner." The Spokane County Regional Solid Waste System's Master Composter program teaches individuals how to successfully compost at home to reduce waste, create "black gold" for gardens and soils (a.k.a nutrient-rich fertilizer), and even save money by eliminating the need for a clean-green bin or reducing garbage can sizes.

  • To learn more about becoming a Master Composter/Recycler, see the information below.
  • To learn more about the Spring/Autumn Compost Fairs, visit here.
  • To learn more about Carbon/Nitrogen ratios for materials, visit here.


Becoming a Master Composter/Recycler (MC/R)

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Become a Master Composter/Recycler in 2023! The six-week course starts in March 2023. The program has two components - training and volunteering. For more information on the Master Composter/ Recycler class, see the Master Composter/Recycler Information Document . To register for the 2023 MC/R class, fill out the Registration Form and email it to Kris Major. For additional information, and to learn about signing up for the next class, email Kris Major or call 509-625-6521. Volunteer Master Composters and Recyclers play an active role in Spokane County’s Regional Solid Waste System by teaching citizens how to reduce waste through recycling and home composting. 

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Leaf Letter  

See what's new in the Summer 2022 Leaf Letter! You can view previous quarterly newsletters for the Spokane Master Composter and Recycler Program in our Archive Center.

Spring/Autumn Compost Fairs

This year, the Spring Compost Fair is back in person! For more information, please view the flyer below or click on this link.

arbor day 2023

Composting Resources

Document Library

Compost Materials C:N Ratios

When gathering materials for your compost keep in mind the ratio of carbon (C) to nitrogen (N). The best ratio is between 25 to 30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen, or 30:1. This means most of the materials in your compost should be carbon. If the C/N ratio is higher than 30 the pile will take a long time to decompose. If there are too many materials high in nitrogen the compost will likely begin to release a smelly ammonia gas. The C/N ratio does not need to be exact, add about 2 to 3 pounds of nitrogen materials for every 100 pounds of carbon materials. High carbon materials like sawdust will require more nitrogen materials to ensure good decomposition. Use the flash cards below to test your knowledge of material C/N ratios.