Compost Sites to Open for the Season April 18

recycleTwo public compost sites will open for the season on April 18, providing Porter County residents with the opportunity to collect nutrient rich material for their gardens and also drop off yard waste to be composted or mulched.

The Valparaiso compost site, 2150 W. Lincolnway, will begin regular hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The Boone Grove compost site, 400 West 550 South, will open from noon to 5 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Currently, the Valparaiso compost site is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through April 16.

Materials accepted at these compost sites include organic yard waste, leaves, garden clippings, household plants, brush, limbs, logs and firewood. Grass is only accepted at the Boone Grove compost site. No treated wood or lumber is accepted at either site. Both sites also accept old or unused electronics, compact fluorescent light bulbs and batteries for proper disposal.

These large scale municipal composting operations allow the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County and municipalities to manage organic material, composting yard waste and grinding organic wood waste to create large amounts of finished compost and mulch for public use.

More information about district compost sites is available on its website, www.ItMeansTheWorld.org.

The City of Valparaiso and the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County invite residents to take advantage of free compost loading during International Compost Awareness Week.

The city’s Public Works Department will be available to load compost for Porter County residents from 9 a.m. to noon May 2 through 7, at the Valparaiso compost site. Residents will be able to take away up to three yards of compost per trip. Businesses are not eligible to participate.

Additionally, to celebrate International Compost Awareness Week, complimentary “how to” books on backyard composting will be available at the Valpo compost site as well as the district’s Boone Grove compost site.