Otter Tail County Solid Waste is continuing to support backyard composters this spring with a compost bin sale at Transfer Stations, as well as an online Composting 101 training being offered on Monday, April 13.

Composting is a great way to reduce waste and live lighter on the planet. In the United States an estimated 40 percent of the food produced is wasted, wasting all the resources that went into producing it such as water, fuel, soil nutrients, fertilizer and pesticides, and human labor. Everyone can take steps to reduce their food waste, and those that are able to can compost what is left. By consistently using a backyard compost bin, a single-family household can expect to divert approximately 200 pounds of organic waste from landfill each year, depending on cooking and eating habits. Composting has many benefits –

• Reduces waste – approximately 25 percent of your garbage is compostable materials

• Returns nutrients to the soil and improves soil health

• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions caused by organic matter languishing in landfills

Composting 101

Composting can be really easy. To support first time composters or those looking to refresh their composting knowledge, an online Composting 101 training will be held on Thursday, April 13th at 6:30 pm. Three compost bins will be given away to registered participants, winners will be drawn randomly and must be in attendance to win. 

Composting 101 includes all the information you need to get started composting, including:

• How composting makes you a planet saving hero

• Pros and cons of compost bin styles including low cost or free DIY options

• What to compost

• Troubleshooting

• Using finished compost

• Compost Bin Sale

Starting on Wednesday, April 29, a limited number of backyard composting bins will be available for purchase at Otter Tail County Transfer Stations. Compost bins come in two halves that fit in most vehicles, measure 33×30 inches when assembled, and can hold 17 cu ft of compost. The bins will be sold at a reduced cost of $40, no advance reservations.

Residents in the Fergus Falls area that can’t or don’t want to compost in their backyard can now use the Organics Recycling (food scraps) Drop Off Site located at the Otter Tail County Recycling Center.