Kern County, California, Public Works celebrated the opening of its Shafter-Wasco Compost Facility Oct. 14.
The new facility, located next to the Shafter-Wasco Landfill in Shafter, California, is expected to divert 100,000 tons of organic waste from landfills annually, helping Kern County and its incorporated cities meet their S.B. 1383 organic waste recovery and procurement goals. Construction of the facility began in April 2024 and was completed this September.
“The opening of the compost facility showcases what local government can accomplish with diligent planning and decision making,” Kern County Public Works Manager Dave Lee says. “The facility was 10 years in the making when considering the amount of permitting and planning involved with siting a new facility. Kern County now has a state-of-the-art facility that will divert 100,000 tons of organics from landfills annually and help improve regional air quality by reducing methane emissions and controlling [volatile organic compounds].”…