Compost Sites to Close Dec. 4

Saturday, Dec. 4, will be the last day residents of Porter County will be able to drop off their organics and yard waste at two compost sites, weather permitting. The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County will end its 2010 compost season by closing the Boone Groove compost site for the winter, and the Valparaiso compost site will close for the holidays. recycle

For the remainder of this week, Porter County residents can visit the Boone Grove site, 546 S. 400 W, from noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday and Friday, Dec. 1 and 3, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4; or the Valparaiso site, 2150 W. Lincolnway, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Friday, Dec. 3, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4.

Materials accepted at these compost sites include organic yard waste, leaves, garden clippings, household plants, brush, limbs, logs and firewood. Grass is only accepted at the Boone Grove compost site. No treated wood or lumber will be accepted at either site.

Porter County residents also may drop off their electronics for recycling at both compost sites.

The Valparaiso compost site will hold Saturday off-season hours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 8 through April 16, 2011. Both sites will reopen for spring on April 18.

These large scale municipal composting operations allow the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County and 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 also available for public use.

For more information, visit the District’s website, www.itmeanstheworld.org, or call 219-465-3694.