New Hampshire Earth Day compost bin sale a success

In celebration of Earth Day 2009, the Northeast Resource Recovery Association (NRRA) sponsored their Annual Compost Bin Sale to support nature’s way of recycling.

The organic portion of the waste stream contains yard waste and kitchen waste, each representing 25 percent of total waste generated. The average waste generated per household in North America is approximately 2,000 lbs per year and it is estimated that about 50 percent of the total waste stream could be composted.

Utilizing the principal of cooperative purchasing to leverage lower prices, the NRRA was able to offer participating groups Earth Machine backyard compost bins for half the retail price. These 80 gallon bins, which are made of 100 percent, recycled plastic, enable residents to convert leaves, grass and table scraps into an abundant supply of rich garden soil.

In total, participants in the sale sold 1,820 compost bins. Each bin diverts approximately 500 pounds of organic matter from household waste per year, diverting it from collection, the landfill or incinerator. This year’s sale will help divert a total of over 910,000 pounds of waste; which is the equivalent of 38 garbage trucks full of waste.

Sixty organizations in four states participated in the sale.