Public Comment Form

Commenting open: November 06, 2025 12:00AM PT - November 30, 2025 11:59PM PT.

Organics Recycling Collection Areas Waiver Application

The Department of Ecology is asking for public comments on the Organics Recycling Collection Areas (ORCA) waiver applications identified in RCW 70A.205.540.


By April 1, 2027, Washington cities or counties in an Organics Recycling Collection Area (ORCA) must provide organics collection service to all single-family residences and certain business customers who generate 0.25 cubic yards or 45 gallons of organics per week.


By April 1, 2030, the same single-family residences and certain business customers (except multifamily residential entities) in ORCA-impacted areas must have mandatory service provided. This must include the collection of food waste. Ecology is creating a waiver process for local governments that need more time to meet the requirements. There are two waivers: (1) the ORCA Service waiver and the (2) ORCA Frequency waiver.


ORCA Service waiver

Service waivers may be for all or portions of a jurisdiction, up to five years. Service waivers may be granted if one or more of the following apply:

  • The distance to an organic processing facility
  • The capacity of the organics management facility, transfer station, or reload facility that transports organic materials to an organics management facility
  • Economically infeasible to begin or expand organics curbside collection
  • Transport of organic materials is restricted due to an apple maggot quarantine area (chapter 17.24 RCW)


ORCA Frequency waiver

Local governments can apply for a waiver to reduce the collection frequency requirements that begin April 1, 2027 and April 1, 2030. This waiver is designed for jurisdictions that are using alternative methods other than curbside organics collection that will reduce the volume, odor, or both of collected food waste.


Draft ORCA Waiver Applications open for public comment


To learn more, please visit the Ecology Organics Management for Local Governments webpage and the Organics Recycling Collection Areas map. 


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Comments are due by 11:59PM PST on November 30, 2025.


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