You can also add non-dairy and non-meat food to your curbside yard waste containers.

• LeMay Enterprises offers curbside yard waste pickup in Centralia, Chehalis, Napavine, Winlock, and rural Centralia/Chehalis. This service provides the removal of yard waste, food scraps, cardboard, waxed cardboard, newspapers, magazines, sawdust and other compostable materials. To start the service call 360-736-4769.
• Chehalis residents living within the city limits have a drop off opportunity for yard waste. A resident may call the City of Chehalis Community Development Department for information on a seasonal green waste permit. This permit allows a resident to drop off yard waste material that will be composted at a location managed by the City of Chehalis. For more information, please call 360-748-0271.

Lewis County composting information: http://lewiscountywa.gov/publicworks/composting

Compost is decayed vegetable matter or manure used as a plant fertilizer and is rich in nutrients. It can be used in gardens, landscaping, horticulture, and agriculture. 

Compost is beneficial for the land in many ways, including:

• As a soil conditioner
• A fertilizer 
• Addition of vital humus or humic acids
• And as a natural pesticide for soil

Compost is a key ingredient in organic farming. The simplest process of composting requires making a heap of wetted organic matter known as green waste (leaves, food waste) and waiting for the materials to break down into humus after a few weeks or months. Composting adds nutrient-rich humus which fuels plant growth and restores vitality to depleted soil. It's also free, easy to make and good for the environment. About 23% of the average household’s waste is compostable kitchen scraps and yard waste. Composting is a great way to reduce the amount of organic waste that ends up in the landfill and is the single best thing most householders can do to reduce waste.

You can obtain information on composting from the internet, library, or local bookstore. You may want to take a composting workshop offered periodically by the Master Recycler/C omposters. To find out more about a composting workshop call 360-740-1452.

If composting and recycling interests you, think about becoming a Master Composter/Recycler. This program is offered through the Washington State University/Lewis County Extension Office.Classes are usually offered twice a year. Call 360-740-1452 or 360-740-1212 for more information.

Home Composting Resources:

https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/green-living/how-to-compost