$55 discounted compost bins go on sale TOMORROW
Starting Wednesday, May 1, Wake County is making it easier and cheaper to compost in your backyard with the return of the Earth Machine sale.
Throughout the month of May, Wake County’s Solid Waste division, in partnership with BrandBuilders, will sell Earth Machine compost bins for just $54.95, 50% off the normal retail price. Orders will also include a 20-page handbook explaining the ins and outs of composting.
"Composting is a great way for us to improve the environmental health of our county,” said Wake County Commissioner Matt Calabria. “This is an excellent opportunity for people to further reduce their carbon footprint and create healthy soil for their yards.”
Orders will be accepted online through May 31, and bins will be available for pickup starting mid-June. To learn more and order your bin, visit wake.gov/compost.
In addition to the handbook that comes with each Earth Machine, Wake County has videos demonstrating how to assemble your Earth Machine and the fundamentals of composting at home. The bins are about 3 feet tall and can hold up to 80 gallons.
Why Compost?
Whether you’re looking to enrich your soil, take better care of the planet or curb our reliance on landfills, there are plenty of reasons to start composting.
“Environmentally conscious residents want to help the planet and reduce their carbon footprint, and these compost bins make that task so much easier!" said Wake County Environmental Program Coordinator Sara Davarbakhsh. “Composting helps minimize landfilled waste and can have long-term benefits on our environment.”
A recent study in Wake County showed 34% of the average household garbage is made up of food and yard waste that can be composted, instead of being sent to South Wake Landfill, where it produces pollution. The average composter can divert about 500 pounds of organic waste from landfill annually.
Here are just some of the benefits of composting:
- Provides free food for plants, trees, lawns
- Reduces waste hauled to the landfill
- Helps soil retain moisture and conserves water
- Reduces soil erosion and compaction
- Makes soil easier to dig
- Improves plant health
- Increases crop yields
- Reduces dependence on chemical fertilizers/herbicides
- Lowers your carbon footprint
- Reduces pollution from landfills
- Teaches us about the nutrient cycle
You don’t have to live in Wake County to order a compost bin, but you must be prepared to pick up in Raleigh, N.C. Delivery is not included. Pickups start mid-June, and will be available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the North Wake Solid Waste Management facilities located at 9025 Deponie Drive in Raleigh.
About Wake County Solid Waste
The Wake County Solid Waste Management Division manages 19 waste facilities including a landfill, waste transfer station, residential waste and recycling convenience centers, household hazardous waste and multi-material recycling drop-off facilities. To learn more, visit wake.gov/recycling.
