U.S. Organic Waste Composting Protocol

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. This protocol was first adopted by the Reserve Board in June 2010.

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:

Please contact the Reserve with questions or comments.