Public Compost Sites Close for Memorial Day Holiday Weekend

Recycling-Waste-District-Porter-County/Compost-piles-compressedThe Valparaiso compost site, 2150 W. Lincolnway, and the Boone Grove compost site, 546 S. 400 W., will be closed Saturday, May 28 through Monday, May 30, for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

The Valparaiso site, owned and operated by the City of Valparaiso with assistance from the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County, will reopen Tuesday, May 31. Regular season hours for the Valpo site are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Mondays through Fridays, and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturdays.

The Boone Grove site, owned and operated by the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County, will reopen Wednesday, June 1. Regular hours for the Boone Grove site are noon to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturdays.

The compost sites allow the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County and select 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 available free to Porter County residents, as long as supplies last. Currently there is no mulch available.

Residents should call the district, 465-3694, to determine site access, if inclement weather occurs, and material availability. Residents should bring shovels and containers to load as much compost and mulch as they want.

Valparaiso Public Works charges a fee to load on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Call the department for payment information and procedures, 462-4612.

Both sites accept organic yard waste, leaves, garden and household plants, brush, limbs, logs and firewood. Residents should remove plastic bags and other such containers upon dropping off materials.

No treated wood or lumber of any kind are accepted at either site. Only Valparaiso residents can deposit grass clippings at the Valpo compost site. Grass clippings are accepted from all Porter County residents at the Boone Grove site.

Other materials accepted for recycling at these sites include: household batteries, old electronics (computers, televisions, anything with a cord or operated by batteries), fluorescent light bulbs (tubes and CFLs), toner cartridges, and old media (CDs, DVDs, computer games, etc.). Video and audio cassettes and any media with tape or film are no longer accepted for recycling at these sites.

The Recycling & Waste Reduction District of Porter County is an agency dedicated to improving the environment and quality of life by providing services and educational programs which help residents reduce, reuse, and recycle. Visit www.ItMeansTheWorld.org for more information or call 465-3694.