Statewide law
Washington organic waste law
Washington's organics law covers businesses in Business Organics Management Areas at 96 gal/week, since Jan 1, 2026. Penalties start July 1, 2026 (capped at $10k/yr for small businesses), and apartment buildings phase in through local plans.
At a glance Statewide law
Read the official rules (opens in a new tab)
- The law
- RCW 70A.205.545 – HB 1799 (2022), HB 2301 (2024), 2SHB 1497 (2025)
- Who’s covered
- Businesses in Business Organics Management Areas; multifamily phase-in via local plans
- Thresholds and key dates
- 96 gal/week since Jan 1, 2026; penalties from July 1, 2026 (small biz cap $10k/yr)
- Local rules
- Seattle SMC 21.36 food waste ban; King County, Tacoma, Spokane implement state law
01 / City and county rules
Local rules
-
Seattle
In effect- Who’s covered
- Residents, multifamily, businesses
- Apartment buildings must provide compost
- Yes
- Key dates
- Since 2015
Other places in Washington
- King, Pierce, Snohomish counties / Tacoma / SpokaneEnacted – future/expandingArrange organics service; penalties from July 2026
✦ Keep an eye on
What’s changing
Plans submitted after July 2026 must phase in multifamily organics
02 / Our job
What Melly’s handles
- Which rules apply to each of your Washington locations
- File the paperwork for you
- Set up pickup or a compliant hauler
- Keep your records current so you are ready if an inspector asks
✦ Where this comes from
Sources
Last checked October 14, 2026. Laws change. If something here looks out of date, tell us.
These are plain-English summaries for general information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source.
✦ Get a compliance plan
Get a plan for Washington
What do you run there? Pick all that apply.
✦ Let Melly’s handle it
Get a compliance plan
Tell us where you operate. We tell you what applies, then we file and keep you compliant.