(BLOOMINGTON) – Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth by ordering a compost bin or rain barrel.
Monroe County Solid Waste Management District (District) Community Outreach Coordinator Elisa Pokral says, “People can celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, in advance of Earth Day, by putting into action two other basic stewardship practices.”
In addition to recycling, residents can use home compost bins to reduce food waste, and rain barrels to conserve water and improve water quality.
To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day in 2020, the District is offering the public the opportunity to purchase discounted compost bins and rain barrels. Orders are being taken online. The deadline to order is April 10th. Items can be picked up on Saturday, April 18th from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the main parking lot of the South Walnut Recycling Center at 3400 South Walnut Street.
Pokral explains that both home composting and the use of rain barrels have a number of environmental benefits. They both reduce waste and 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 allows 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, thereby improving soil quality. It also allows you to use the free water that falls from the skies in your yard.
“Why not reduce the waste you throw in your garbage with composting and, save on utility bills with the use of rain barrels?” Pokral asks. “It’s
just wise science.”
As Executive Director Tom McGlasson, Jr. points out, the opportunity to order discounted compost bins and rain barrels is a way the District can celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, and the establishment of the pilot food waste drop-off collection program at the Northeast Recycling Center as another waste reduction effort.
McGlasson says, “We thank all the customers who use the compost drop-off as well as the recycling patrons for all their efforts. We all need to do our part to maintain a healthy, sustainable earth.”
McGlasson is looking forward to the expansion of the compost collection drop-off program, expanded participation in home composting and rain barrel usage, and continued innovation in the recycling industry.
“We create our earth every day by our actions and inactions. Composting nature’s way, as in-home composting and/or dropping off food waste and associated food waste for community collection and composting, is vital,” says Pokral. “It’s important to celebrate what we do to protect, manage, and preserve our ecosystems and know that there’s always more to do.”
Since 2002 the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District has distributed tree seedlings every Earth Day week, in the last several years they also distributed milkweed to help the monarch population, and now this year discounted compost bins and rain barrels.
The District will continue to work towards improved health for Monroe County in this new decade.
Order your compost bin and rain barrel today at www.gogreendistrictorders.com
If you have questions related to purchasing contact Jeffery with BrandBuilders at 1-800-842-0527.
Informational or local questions contact Elisa Pokral at
epokral@mcswmd.org or call 812-349-2866 ext. 2020.
The bins will be available for pickup Saturday, April 18th in the main parking lot in front of the white Administration Building of the South Walnut Recycling Center at 3400 South Walnut Street in Bloomington.
During this time, education demonstrations and instruction on setup will be provided. The District does not make any warranty or representation, expressed or implied, regarding the items offered for sale by BrandBuilders, LLC. Purchasers must direct any questions, claims or disputes regarding their purchase to BrandBuilders, LLC.
Purchases not picked up on April 18th from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. will 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 the 18th during pickup times. Order deadline is April 10.
Year-round consultation regarding composting is available through the District.
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.
Tours of District facilities are offered year-round to individuals and groups. Don’t wait for Earth Day call 812-349-2866 for tours by appointment.
District “Citizen Science”/environmental programs offered for businesses, schools, and other community organizations throughout the year help people of all ages.
