Every household should have one of these. I've been composting most of my life -- growing up, we had a big pile (mixed with chicken manure), when I lived in the suburbs of Boston, we shared a wooden bin with neighbors, who also gardened. I've always had one since I've lived in Maine -- again, a wooden bin shared by the whole household. Of course, the bins eventually break down, so now I've switched to #EarthMachine composters (I bought one through a Maine program, my neighbor gave me the other). A lid flew away in a storm, and I was able to get a replacement lid direct from Earth Machine.

Other than losing a lid, they have held up really well -- no cracks, and I've owned one for over 10 years and leave them out all winter. The design keeps critters out (that was a problem with the wooden bins). I turn the compost manually with a garden fork, so it gets nice and hot (and the dark color helps with that). They aren't cheap ($189 direct from the manufacturer), but sometimes municipal programs will offer them at a discounted rate (I think I paid $60 for mine).

"Now from ORBIS (formerly Norseman Environmental). The 80-gallon Earth Machine is a durable backyard #CompostBin designed to compost food and yard waste, effectively diverting it from #landfills. When residents are encouraged to divert organics from the waste stream and are educated about the benefits of composting, up to 50% of organic waste can be diverted from the waste stream. The Earth Machine is for food and yard waste only.

- 80-gallon, 300 liter capacity
- Easy snap-together assembly
- Twist locking lid
- Harvest door, for easy compost removal
- Vertical and horizontal ventilation
- User guide, harvest door, lid, and screws included
- BPA free
- UV stabilizer is added to resist deterioration from sunlight
- Made from recycled content

https://www.orbiscorporation.com/en-us/products/environmental-recycling-and-waste/compost-bins/npl-300-earth-machine/

Some example of municipal programs which offer discounted composters (Earth machines) and rainbarrels at a discounted rate. If your state or municipality doesn't offer them, they should. I believe the #EPA provides funding for the discounts.

#ErieCountyNY offers residents rain barrels and compost bins

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/erie-county-offers-residents-rain-barrels-and-compost-bins/ar-BB1juE8r

Rain Barrel & Compost Bin Distribution Event

"For the 9th year in a row, the City of Edmond is partnering with the Central Oklahoma Stormwater Alliance (COSWA) member cities of Bethany, Choctaw, Noble, Norman, Midwest City, Moore, Mustang, Oklahoma City, Stillwater, and Yukon in a regional effort to encourage Oklahoma residents to conserve water, reduce water pollution, improve air quality, and divert waste from landfills by using rain barrels and compost bins. The distribution event will take place on Saturday, April 6, 2024."

https://www.edmondok.gov/1391/Rain-Barrel-Compost-Bin-Distribution-Eve

Rain barrels and composters

"#WestGreyOntario Municipality is now selling backyard composters! These are available for purchase at the Municipal office. The composters are $55, payable by cash, cheque or debit.

Backyard composting is a simple and effective way to manage food waste at home. Managing food and organic waste materials in a backyard unit is the most cost-effective method for organic waste materials and you get a great nutrient rich material to use on your lawn and in your garden.

As a rural community, West Grey residents have a close connection to nature and agriculture, and by leveraging our rural values we can make a positive impact on our waste management and preserve the finite capacity of our landfill sites.

Rain barrels

West Grey Municipality is now selling rain barrels and diverters! These are available for purchase at the Municipal office, and pickup at the Durham Waste Site during regular hours. The rain barrels are $63 and diverters are $40, payable by cash, cheque or debit. Limited stock available, first come first serve."

https://www.westgrey.com/en/services/rain-barrels-and-composters.aspx

#MaineDEP says expansion of state’s largest landfill would benefit public

The decision allows the state to apply to add 61 acres to the state-owned #JuniperRidgeLandfill, which takes in 52% of the state's waste.

by Penelope Overton
October 2, 2024

"Despite objections from neighbors and environmental groups, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection concluded Wednesday that expanding the state’s largest landfill, Juniper Ridge, would substantially benefit the public.
It’s not an outright approval, but the department’s decision allows the state to apply to add 61 acres to the state-owned Juniper Ridge Landfill, which takes in 52% of the state’s waste. The state claims this expansion would extend the facility’s operating life by 11 years; without it, it would run out of space by 2028.

"DEP Commissioner Melanie Loyzim’s decision can be appealed to the Board of Environmental Protection and the Maine courts, and several opponents of the proposed expansion, like the Boston-based #ConservationLawFoundation , say they are prepared to challenge the decision.

"'This decision recklessly gambles with public health and the environment,' said #AlexandraStPierre, the director of communities and toxics in the foundation’s #EnvironmentalJustice Program. 'It dismisses the serious concerns raised by the #PenobscotNation and other nearby residents about the harmful effects this expansion will have on their health and community.'

"She continued: 'We refuse to allow this dangerous expansion to proceed unchecked.'

"The foundation and other opponents say the #OldTown location of the facility unfairly places the burden of the state’s trash needs on the Penobscot Nation. The #leachate that #JuniperRidge produces when it rains is sent to a nearby paper mill sewer plant that discharges into the #PenobscotRiver.

[...]

"The amount of waste heading to Maine landfills has increased 34% between 2018 and 2022, according to DEP. #Sludge that was once spread on #agricultural fields is now landfilled due to forever chemical #contamination [#PFAS]. The amount of municipal solid waste landfilled during that time jumped 47%.

"While some people say Maine is not doing enough to divert waste from the #landfills – for example, a bill that would have required large #FoodWaste generators to #recycle their #scraps at a nearby facility died on the appropriations table – others object to #Casella as the facility operator.

"Casella clashed with some municipal leaders and state lawmakers when it refused to accept the #biosolids created by wastewater treatment plants at Juniper Ridge out of fear that the mushy slop, or sludge, was causing structural instability that could lead to the landfill’s collapse."

Original article:
https://www.pressherald.com/2024/10/02/maine-state-needs-to-expand-its-biggest-landfill/

Archived version:
https://archive.md/VXv9m

#WaterIsLife #EnvironmentalRacism #JuniperRidgeLandfill #CasellaWasteSystems #MaineNews #Maine #ToxicFire #PFASPollution
#WabanakiAlliance
#DontWasteME #Slingshot #EnvironmentalJustice #PenobscotNation #PFAS #PenobscotRiver #EnvironmentalInjustice #CompostFoodWaste #ReduceWaste