The Valparaiso compost site, 2150 W. Lincolnway, and the Boone Grove compost site, 546 S. 400 W., will be closed Saturday, May 27 through Monday, May 29, for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
The Valparaiso site, owned and operated by the City of Valparaiso with assistance from Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction, will reopen Tuesday, May 30. Regular season hours for the Valpo site are 9 a.m.to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
The Boone Grove site, owned and operated by Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction, will reopen Wednesday, May 31. Regular hours for the Boone Grove site are noon to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
The compost sites allow Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction and select 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 to Porter County residents, as long as supplies last.
Residents should call the district, 465-3694, to determine site access, if inclement weather occurs, and material availability. Residents should bring shovels and containers to load as much compost and mulch as they want.
Valparaiso Public Works will load from 9 to 2 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for a fee. Call the department for payment information and procedures, 462-4612.
Both sites accept organic yard waste, leaves, garden and household plants, brush, limbs, logs and firewood. Residents should remove plastic bags and other such containers upon dropping off materials.
No treated wood or lumber of any kind are accepted at either site. Only Valparaiso residents within city limits can deposit grass clippings at the Valpo compost site. Valpo residents should consult with Valparaiso Public Works for details. Grass clippings are accepted from all Porter County residents at the Boone Grove compost site.
Other materials accepted for recycling at these sites include: household batteries, old electronics (computers, televisions, anything with a cord or operated by batteries), fluorescent light bulbs (tubes and CFLs), toner cartridges, and old media (CDs, DVDs, computer games, etc.). Video and audio cassettes and any media with tape or film are no longer accepted for recycling at these sites.
Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction is an agency dedicated to improving the environment and quality of life by providing services and educational programs which help residents reduce, reuse, and recycle. Visit www.PorterCountyRecycling.org for more information or call 465-3694.