This state-of-the-art compost facility designed by SCS Engineers, can divert 100,000 tons of organic waste from landfills annually, helping Kern County and its incorporated cities meet their SB 1383 organic waste recovery and procurement goals. By transforming organic materials into high-quality compost, the facility supports County properties, local agriculture, enriches community landscapes, and reduces landfill use – all while improving regional air quality.
SCS Engineers Project Director, Michael Bradford has this to say:
It is truly an honor to be a part of the Kern County Team. Serving as the engineering consultant for the design and construction of this amazing state-of-the-art Covered Aerated Static Pile, or CASP, Composting System. Working alongside Public Works Manager Dave Lee, Public Works Information Officer Alicia Gutierrez, and our other team members is a privilege and a point of pride for SCS Engineers.
This composting facility is far more than just another improvement to Kern County’s solid waste infrastructure—it is a cornerstone of the County’s commitment to sustainability and a direct response to California’s Senate Bill 1383, the landmark legislation driving the state’s organics diversion and zero-waste initiatives. SB 1383 calls for a 75 percent reduction in landfilled organics and a significant increase in edible food recovery goals that require innovation, collaboration, and leadership at every level. The CASP composting system aims to achieve those goals and embodies that innovation through a fully engineered design that combines aerated static pile technology with covered composting cells. The system ensures efficient organic material processing, optimized environmental controls, and reliable year-round performance.
By transforming thousands of tons of organic waste—yard trimmings, food scraps, and other biodegradable materials—into nutrient-rich compost, the Shafter–Wasco CASP system directly supports California’s organics diversion and greenhouse-gas reduction goals and strengthens Kern County’s leadership in sustainable resource management.
The compost produced here not only diverts organic material from the landfill, but also returns valuable nutrients – rich amendments to local soils, supporting agriculture, water conservation, and regenerative land practices across the region.
For SCS Engineers, this project exemplifies our mission to improve the future for the public and the environment by delivering lasting environmental engineering solutions. From the earliest planning and permitting phases through detailed design, construction engineering assistance, and startup, our team worked hand-in-hand with AECOM, Clark Brothers, and Kern County to deliver a facility that’s efficient, resilient, and built for the long term. We are proud to have assisted Kern County’s vision and commitment construct a facility that will be a model for others across California pursuing their own organics diversion and zero waste goals.
We want to extend sincere thanks to Kern County, project partners, and everyone who contributed to making this composting system a success. The Shafter–Wasco CASP Composting System is more than infrastructure—it is a living example of environmental stewardship, technical excellence, and community progress. On behalf of SCS Engineers, it is an honor to help Kern County lead the way toward California’s zero-waste future.
Michael walks us through a few of the design elements that make this CASP composting facility work.
Additional Resources:
