The county’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has launched a “Backyard Food Scraps Compost Bin Bulk Discount Sale” with pickup dates scheduled for Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23.
Residents can benefit from the bulk discount sale provided by the DEP’s Recycling and Resource Management Division, which offers the Earth Machine and HOTFROG compost bins at a reduced price. Over the past two years, the DEP and 1,000 volunteers assessed the compost bins, with both models approved for composting food scraps, rodent deterrence, and aiding in the decomposition process.
We’re excited to offer our Spring 2024 Backyard Food Scraps Compost Bin Bulk Discount Sale. Composting food scraps in your backyard is an excellent way to reduce your waste and allows you to make your own beneficial soil amendment. Learn more at https://t.co/1gUA3wv0w2 pic.twitter.com/lKT89u1PUQ
— Montgomery County Dept of Environmental Protection (@MyGreenMC) May 29, 2024
The Earth Machine Compost Bin features an 80-gallon capacity, four anchor pegs for ground stability, and a locking lid. The HOTFROG Dual Chamber Tumbler, with a total volume of 37 gallons, includes two chambers for dual batch composting, enabling one side to fill while the other cures.
Both compost bins are made from recycled plastic and have easy-to-follow instructions.
“Montgomery County is improving our recycling, reduction and waste prevention, which are key objectives of the County’s Climate Action Plan,” County Executive Marc Elrich said in a press release. “Our efforts are making a difference, but we still have a lot of work to do. This program helps residents find vetted products to facilitate backyard composting, which is an ideal way to compost. Individual actions like composting are an essential component towards achieving our County goal of zero waste.”
According to the DEP, 97,000 tons of food scraps are discarded in Montgomery County each year, with 45,000 tons of that amount thrown away by residents in single-family homes. By managing food scraps and yard trim at home, the county moves closer to its zero-waste target and the Climate Action Plan goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2027 and 100 percent by 2035.
“Increasing composting and reducing food waste are critical components of our sustainability efforts,” said DEP Director Jon Monger. “By providing residents with affordable composting bins and information on the benefits of backyard composting, we are empowering the community to take action and contribute to a healthier environment.”
The compost bins must be purchased online before being picked up; they will not be sold at pickup locations. After completing their online purchases, Montgomery County residents can pick up their bins from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 22, at Paint Branch High School at 14121 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville, or from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, at Walt Whitman High School at 7100 Whittier Blvd in Bethesda.
For more information on the county’s Backyard Food Scraps Compost Bin Bulk Discount Sale and Recycling programs, visit MontgomeryCountyMD.gov/FoodScraps.
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