Montgomery County, Maryland MC311
Montgomery County Recycling Launches ‘Backyard Food Scraps Compost Bin Sale’ During June
For Immediate Release: Monday, June 3, 2024
Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Recycling and Resource Management Division has launched its “Backyard Food Scraps Compost Bin Bulk Discount Sale” with pickup dates on Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23. Through the bulk discount sale, residents can purchase the Earth Machine and HotFrog Dual Chamber Tumbler at a reduced cost.
The Earth Machine Compost Bin has an 80-gallon capacity, four anchor pegs to secure the unit to the ground and a locking lid. The HotFrog Dual Chamber Tumbler, with a total volume of 37 gallons, has two chambers for dual batch composting, allowing for the filling of one side while the other side cures.
Both compost bins are approved for food scraps composting, to deter rodents and to aid in the decomposition process. Additionally, both are made from recycled plastic and are simple to use via the provided how-to-guides.
Over the last two years, DEP, with the help of 1,000 volunteers, evaluated the compost bins available for purchase. Both are approved for composting food scraps, to deter rodents and to aid in the decomposition process. Additionally, both are made from recycled plastic and are simple to use via the provided how-to guides.
Compost bins must be purchased online prior to pick up and will not be offered for sale at pickup locations.
After making the online purchases, residents can pick up their bins from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 22, at Paint Branch High School, 14121 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville, or from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, at Walt Whitman High School, 7100 Whittier Blvd in Bethesda.
“Montgomery County is improving our recycling, reduction and waste prevention, which are key objectives of the County's Climate Action Plan,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “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.”
It is estimated that 97,000 tons of food scraps are thrown away in Montgomery County every year and 45,000 tons of that amount is tossed in the trash by residents in single-family homes. With residents managing food scraps and yard trim at home, the County gets closer to achieving its zero-waste goal and to the ambitious 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.”
To learn more about the County’s Backyard Food Scraps Compost Bin Bulk Discount Sale and DEP Recycling programs, visit MontgomeryCountyMD.gov/FoodScraps.
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Media Contact: Eileen Kao