Waste and Recycling

Organics Market and Management Feasibility Study

Client: King County, WA

Cascadia assisted King County with developing a comprehensive strategy to manage organic waste generated in the county. This multi-dimensional project consisted of research into organic waste generation and markets for compost, an assessment of processing technologies, an economic analysis of alternative management options, and strategic planning. Cascadia also conducted focus groups with professional landscapers on current practices and attitudes regarding the use of compost products and other soil amendments. These sessions addressed compost quality, consistency, job specifications, standards, and other soil amendment issues.

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Cascadia began to immediately overhaul the way Resource Venture services were marketed, delivered, and tracked; ultimately resulting in superior outcomes. Among the dramatic changes we noted were (1) an increased level of accountability; (2) a more strategic focus; and (3) service documentation that demonstrated a more effective and efficient program. In particular, Cascadia’s “targeting and tracking” database made it possible to focus on the biggest commercial resources users with the greatest potential for conservation, and then measure their progress over time. The program’s unique targeted approach is extremely cost-effective; Cascadia has helped reduce the City’s program costs from about $100/ton diverted in 2006 to about $45/ton in 2008.

- Phil Paschke, Seattle Public Utilities