The U.S. Organic Waste Composting (OWC) Protocol provides a standardized approach for quantifying and monitoring the GHG reductions from projects that avoid methane emissions to the atmosphere through the diversion and composting of municipal food waste and food soiled paper waste that would otherwise have been sent to a landfill. This protocol builds largely on the Reserve’s protocol for organic waste digestion projects.
| Current Protocol Version(s) Available for Project Submittal | Adoption Date | Notes and Supporting Documents |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Organic Waste Composting Protocol Version 1.1 | July 29, 2013 | Errata and Clarifications to the U.S. Organic Waste Composting Protocol Version 1.1 (August 27, 2014)
U.S. Organic Waste Composting Protocol Summary Effect of New Waste Diversion Mandates on Reserve Projects (Seattle, California) (January 14, 2015) |
Protocol Revision
The U.S. Organic Waste Composting Protocol is currently undergoing a program revision update. Program revisions are editorial and/or technical in nature and do not require a public comment period, nor do they require adoption by the Reserve’s Board. These revisions do not significantly change the policies or eligibility in the protocol but can change or revise quantification methodologies or monitoring requirements.
Stakeholders may submit revision suggestions to [email protected].
Project Registration Documents
| Document | Description | Required Phase | Privilege |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organic Waste Composting Project Submittal Form | A proposal to undertake an organic waste composting project. | Project Submittal | Public |
| Project System Diagram | A project diagram is required for non-sequestration projects. See the example diagrams for recommended format and content. | Verification | Private |
| OWC Project Monitoring Report Template | This report is required when a project elects to take a zero-credit reporting period (see section 3.4.7 of the Reserve Program Manual for more information). | Verification | Private |
Protocol Development & Previous Versions
Use the links below to access information about the protocol development process. Public comments, staff responses to public comments, workgroup participants, and other supporting documents can also be found here.
Click a version of the protocol below to access more information:
- Version 1.1 (July 29, 2013)
- Version 1.0 (June 30, 2010)
Please contact the Reserve with questions or comments.