A key objective of the City’s Climate & Energy Action Plan is to reduce the approximately 40,000 tons of organic waste that goes to the landfill each year. Diverting waste decreases the production of methane, a harmful greenhouse gas that is produced when organic materials are landfilled. Keeping organics out of the landfills can help save our limited landfill space while producing a valuable product for farms, gardens and landscape uses.
It’s easy to compost food waste and yard debris! Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Place your compost bin in a convenient location outside at least 10 feet away from property line.
Use a rodent proof compost bin with a tight fitting lid.
Start with a thick layer of leaves, wood chips, sawdust or straw (’browns"), and add food waste, coffee grounds and grass clippings ("greens") to jump start the compost process.
Make sure the material in your bin or pile is evenly moist and stir it occasionally to add air and restructure the mix.
A balanced mix of greens and browns that is evenly moist and stirred occasionally will produce soil-like humus in 6-12 months.
City leaves are a very popular material resource in Eugene. Order online between November and January, or self-haul from the Amazon or Alton Baker Community Garden location.