(BLOOMINGTON) – When we work together to encourage stewardship actions, more gets done. Since the use of rain barrels and compost bins are on the minds of the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District and the City of Bloomington, the two are partnering to spread the word about these vital stewardship strategies, to celebrate Earth Day in 2021.
“People can celebrate Earth Day, in advance of Earth Day, by adopting these two basic stewardship practices, in addition to recycling,” said Monroe County Solid Waste Management District Community Outreach Coordinator Elisa Pokral.
“Home compost bins can help keep leaves out of storm drains by providing a convenient place to store them, while they break down on their way to becoming compost that can, in turn, be used to help supplement nutrients in your yard and garden. Rain barrels can reduce the use of treated drinking water for irrigation and can help reduce utility bills by up to
40%. Both practices help with stormwater management, increasing water quality and reducing erosion,” said City of Bloomington’s Utilities Stormwater Education Specialist Kriste Lindberg
“These practices are part of what the City’s Climate Initiative is recommending because it helps reduce climate change by returning food waste to the earth and conserving and protecting water quality in the Monroe County community,” says City of Bloomington’s Utilities Stormwater Education Specialist Kriste Lindberg
Therefore, to honor Earth day in 2021, the District and the City are
offering the public the opportunity to purchase discounted compost bins and rain barrels.
Compost bins are $54.95, Rain barrels are $69.95. Orders are being taken online at www.gogreendistrictorders.com. The Deadline to order is April 5th and pickup dates will be Saturday, April 17th from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Saturday, April 24th from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Designated pickup locations are the main parking lot of the South Walnut Recycling Center at 3400 South Walnut Street and Switchyard Park at 1601 South Rogers Street in Bloomington. Purchases not picked up by April 24th may be donated and used for educational purposes unless the District is promptly notified. Please make alternate arrangements for someone else to pick up the item(s) if you cannot be there on either of the pickup dates.
“Just as our bodies and minds are interconnected and interdependent, so are the earth and health of all life. The first Earth Day was April 22nd in 1970. It was monumental for our country because it created awareness and action regarding the need to monitor earth health,” Pokral says.
Pokral explains that both home composting and the use of rain barrels help our communities by reducing the waste stream. Both improve both soil and water quality and composting reduces climate change by creating less methane gas which is generated in many landfills that vent the
gas. Home composting enables you to produce your own fertile soil to replenish your yard, as well as indoor plants.
“Water collected in rain barrels helps prevent erosion on your property from heavy rainfalls, which keeps nutrients in the soil,” Lindberg states. “It also allows you to use the free water that falls from the skies in your yard.”
“We thank all Monroe County residents who take the time to be environmentally conscious and put their values into action,” said District Executive Director Tom McGlasson. “We are grateful for the partnership of the City of Bloomington to spread the word and encourage others to adopt basic environmental stewardship of recycling, composting, and using rain barrels.”
Visit Gogreendistrict.com for the variety of District services available, pick up a Gogreen Guide at the District’s five recycling centers or call 812-349-2020. Virtual District “Citizen Science”/environmental programs are offered year-round for businesses, schools, and other community organizations that help people of all ages become earth stewards.
Adopt-a-Drain
Improving water quality while reducing flood risk. Adopt-a-Drain is a local volunteer program that provides the public with an opportunity to be actively involved in clearing storm drains. The program strives to improve the water quality of our streams while reducing flood risk in our community. Applications are being accepted. Click here for more information.
