Waste Reduction News

Memorial Day, May 31

Curbside recycling will not be collected on Monday, May 31st. All collections this week will be made one day after the regular day.

How To Build a Compost Bin

You don’t really need a bin at all. A pile will work just fine, however if you live in an urban setting you may want to construct a bin out of recycled materials. You can form a square using four wooden pallets, tied together or use any type of wire fencing—just tie the ends together to form a circular bin. For those of you who prefer a neater looking set-up, many garden centers in the area sell plastic pre-manufactured compost bins for under $100.

How To Start Making Compost

1. Start collecting nitrogen rich material: vegetable and fruit peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, coffee filters, tealeaves, tea bags, grass clippings, garden waste, manure from horses, cows, sheep rabbits and chickens (animals that do not eat meat)
2. Set aside some carbon rich items: fallen leaves, tree and shrub prunings, straw, cardboard, paper egg cartons and newspapers (paper items must be shredded)
3. Assemble your pile in a level, well-drained, convenient location (NOT against wooden structures which may eventually rot) and near a water source.
4. Take approximately equal quantities of nitrogen items and carbon items and put them in the pile (be sure to cover food scraps with other compost matter). You can start a compost pile anytime of year.
5. Sprinkle enough water to dampen the pile, then cover with a tarp, plastic, or straw to keep it from getting too wet in the rain.
6. Periodically add matter to the pile, keep it moist and use a pitchfork to turn the material.
7. In about 3 – 6 months you should be able to remove finished compost from the bottom of the pile.

Erica Trout, a Public Information Assistant for CVWMA, writes about recycling and conservation for Waste Reduction News and other publications produced by the Authority.