The Valparaiso compost site, 2150 W. Lincolnway, and the Boone Grove compost site, 546 S. 400 W., will be closed Thursday, November 24 through Sunday, November 27, for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Both sites will reopen Monday, November 28, and hold regular season hours through Saturday, December 3, after which both sites will close for the season.
Regular season hours for the Valpo site are:
- 9 a.m.to 5 p.m Monday through Friday
- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m on Saturday
Regular hours for the Boone Grove site are
- Noon to 5 p.m Monday, Wednesday and Friday
- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
The compost sites 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. The resulting compost and mulch are available free for public use, as long as supplies last.
Porter County residents are advised to call the district at 465-3694 to determine material availability and site access if inclement weather occurs. Residents should bring shovels and containers to load as much compost and mulch as they want.
Both sites accept organic yard waste, leaves, garden and household plants, brush, limbs, logs and firewood.
Porter County residents are encouraged to bring their live fall decorations, such as pumpkins, gourds, corn and mums, to recycle at the sites.
Other materials also accepted for recycling at these sites include: Household batteries, old electronics (computers, televisions, anything with a cord!), fluorescent light bulbs (tubes and CFLs), toner cartridges, old media (CDs, video cassettes, etc.), and cell phones and cell phone accessories.
Residents should remove plastic bags and other such containers upon dropping off materials. Grass is accepted at the Boone Grove site only.
No treated wood or lumber of any kind are accepted at either site.
In 2012, the Valpo site will begin 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. off-season hours on Saturdays beginning Jan. 7, 2012, for residents to recycle their once live Christmas trees, wreaths and other organic waste.
The Saturday hours will continue through April 2012, when both sites will open for the season. The Boone Grove site will remain closed after December 3, until the regular season begins in April.
For more information on the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County, visit www.ItMeansTheWorld.org or call 219-465-3694.