The last day of the 2013 season for public access to the Valparaiso compost site, 2150 W. Lincolnway, and the Boone Grove compost site, 546 South 400 West, will be Saturday, Dec. 7.
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 Jan. 4, holding 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday off-season hours for all Porter County residents to recycle their once live Christmas trees, wreaths and other organic holiday waste.
The Saturday off-season hours will continue through April 2014, when both compost sites will open for the season. The Boone Grove site, owned and operated by the district, will remain closed after Dec. 7, until the regular season begins in April.
Both sites accept organic yard waste, leaves, garden and household plants, brush, limbs, logs and firewood. Porter County residents are encouraged to bring their live fall decorations, such as pumpkins, gourds, corn and mums, to recycle at the sites.
Residents should remove plastic bags and other such containers upon dropping off materials. Wood or lumber that has been treated is not accepted at either site.
Other materials accepted for recycling at these sites include: household batteries, electronics (computers, televisions, anything with a cord), fluorescent light bulbs (tubes and CFLs), toner cartridges, old media (CDs, video cassettes, etc.), and cell phones and cell phone accessories.
The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County is a government agency dedicated to improving the environment and quality of life for Porter County residents by providing convenient, voluntary waste reduction programs. The district promotes environmental stewardship among individuals and businesses through education programs, waste reduction services and other outreach programs.
For more information on the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County, visit www.ItMeansTheWorld.org or call 219-465-3694.