Council Sets Some Guidelines on Composting

Looking to maintain healthy soil and keep tons of garbage out of landfills, city officials are hoping to encourage residents to compost.

But first, there are some ground rules.

On Monday night, unanimously OK’d an ordinance that sets some guidelines on composting in the city. 

“The goal here is to put the city on a footing whereby we can promote composting to be — not the exception — but the common practice in Lakewood,” said Ward 2 Councilman Tom Bullock, who introduced the legislation.

He said there are a couple of benefits to the proposed ordinance: First, it’s good for soil building and gardening, he said. Secondly, the practice will cut down on waste headed for landfills.

“We want to actively promote this,” he said. “But before we say ‘hey everybody, please compost,’ we need to have some dos and don’ts in place.”

The ordinance adds a brief definition explaining composting. It also removes a section limiting composting to the backyard — the side of a home may now also feature a compost pile, as long as its out of sight.

Three sections are also added to regulate how the composting should be carried out, including requirements on keeping containers aimed at keeping out odors and rodents.

The ordinance also gives the public works department the ability to fine those — $25 the first time, and $100 for subsequent offenses — who don’t follow the rules.

Bullock said city council may also look at encouraging — and regulating — rain barrels in the city.

Want to learn more about composting? Check out that the city hosted at in September.