Leaves, Pumpkins, Gourds Make Great Compost

Compost-pilesThe staff at Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction reminds residents that leaves, dead plants, tree limbs and other organic debris collected from fall yard cleanups are accepted at either public compost site in Porter County. The Valparaiso compost site, 2150 W. Lincolnway, and the Boone Grove compost site, 546 South 400 West, are open through Dec. 2.

Once-live fall decorations, such as pumpkins, gourds, leaves, mums, corn stalks, etc., are also compostable and accepted at the sites. Residents must remove bags and other containers upon dropping off materials. Wood that has been treated or lumber is not accepted at either site.

Organic materials are incorporated into windrows to create compost, a rich soil amendment that is available free to Porter County residents. Branches are chipped into mulch, and logs are available as firewood, both also free to residents.

All material is subject to availability. Residents should bring buckets and shovels and arrange their own transportation for the materials. The City of Valparaiso Public Works Department loads material at the Valparaiso site. Residents should call 462-4612 for more information.

Regular season hours for the Valparaiso compost site are 9 a.m.to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The Valparaiso site is owned and operated by the City of Valparaiso with assistance from Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction.

Regular hours for the Boone Grove compost site, owned and operated by the district, are noon to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

Other materials accepted for recycling at these sites include: household batteries, electronics (computers, televisions, anything with an electrical cord or run by batteries), fluorescent light bulbs (tubes and CFLs), toner cartridges, and old media (CDs, DVDs, video games but nothing with tape/film).

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.

For more information on Porter County Recycling and Waste Reduction, visit www.PorterCountyRecycling.org or call 219-465-3694. or more information on Franciscan Health Michigan City, visit: http://www.franciscanhealth.org/michigancity