Excerpts From BioCycle Journal of Composting &Organics Recycling July 2001, Page 25 THE SITUATION IN SPOKANE The Spokane Regional Compost Facility at Colbert, owned by the city’s Spokane Regional Solid Waste System, has been operating since 1993. Until recently, it operated an open windrow site, processing 25,000 tons/year. The clopyralid problem first surfaced in 2000 when injury was noted on tomatoes grown in containers with compost from the Colbert facility. The contamination persisted and was traced to lawn clippings brought to transfer stations and later to the Colbert facility for composting. After investigation by the Washington Department of Agriculture, the sale of the compost was halted. The facility now has 25,000 cubic yards (cy) of unsold compost. Samples of this material taken in January, 2001 (nine months after the problem was discovered) still showed clopyralid residues of 31 to 75 ppb. A limited amount of the compost from the 1999-2000 season has been sold to landscapers and other wholesalers but with the understanding that it could be used only on turf, not gardens (sales always have been wholesale — the facility’s permit doesn’t allow retail sales). Purchasers had to sign a waiver and name the city on their insurance policy. The Spokane Regional Solid Waste System has received only a few claims for damage from the compost, and they have been settled. In fall of 2000, Norcal of Spokane took over operation of the Colbert facility and is presently producing compost using an Ag-Bag aerated windrow system (previously turned windrows). It was hoped that a change in the composting method would lead to better degradation of the herbicide. However, traces of clopyralid still persist, preventing the sale of the compost to the public. This compost was produced in fall 2000 from feedstocks consisting of leaves, traces of grass clippings, and other yard trimmings. Norcal sampled the bagged material in March 2001 and clopyralid was present at 57 to 67 ppb. In May 2001, the finished compost from these bags failed a bioassay test. Contamination levels in this material have now been tested at 73 and 80 ppb. In April 2001, the city and Spokane county asked Dow to voluntarily halt distribution of clopyralid in the Spokane area, at least temporarily, and they have agreed to do so for residential uses. Application will still continue at golf courses where grass cycling is practiced. Grass from golf courses and parks is not taken to the composting facility. Dow has prepared a flyer for landscape companies asking their cooperation and suggesting alternatives they can use. Norcal continues to accept all yard trimmings material, including grass. A screening process for raw feedstocks is being considered but has not been implemented. However, the city has increased its public education campaign, distributing information telling people why herbicide-treated grass cannot be composted.