#landfills — Public Fediverse posts

#Composting program to provide #Everglades with soil for #CommunityGarden

by Martin Vassolo, March 12, 2025

"Your #FoodScraps could be used to help support the Everglades through a new partnership between the village of #PinecrestFL and the #MiccosukeeTribe.

"Instead of dumping #FoodWaste into crowded #landfills, which produce #methane emissions, the #EvergladesEarthCycleProject will expand Pinecrest's residential composting program and deliver nutrient-rich soil to the #Miccosukee Tribe.

"Driving the news: The project, funded with a $400,000 federal grant and other contributions, calls for installing four new #CompostingBins in Pinecrest and three around #MiamiDade County District 7.

"The initial phase of the program will supply compost to the #SwampyMeadows #CommunityGarden, which grows vegetables just outside the Miccosukee Indian School.

"Another proposal that's been floated is adding new soil to the Everglades' tree islands, though that would need tribal approval, says the Rev. Houston R. Cypress of the #LoveTheEverglades Movement, a partner in the program.

"Cypress told reporters on an airboat ride through the Everglades last week that the tribe teaches 'the essence of being in harmony with nature is giving back to it.'

"'With the Everglades Earth Cycle Project, we're giving back clean and healthy soil; we're giving products that might eventually improve the water quality out here, but we're also giving directly back to local indigenous communities here,' he said.

"Pinecrest already has two free public composting bins, one at the Pinecrest Public Library and another between the Community Center and Pinecrest Gardens."

https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/03/12/everglades-composting-pinecrest-miccosukee

#Composting #CommunityGardening #FoodSecurity #ReducingFoodWaste #SolarPunkSunday

#NapervilleIL - #TheConservationFoundation
#RainBarrels & #Composters

"One simple, efficient, low-cost method to reduce the amount of #StormwaterRunoff from your property is to use rain barrels. Estimates indicate that a quarter-inch of rain falling on an average home yields over 200 gallons of water. Rain barrels are simply large containers that help conserve stormwater from your roof that would otherwise be lost as runoff. Modern rain barrels are sealed, safe around children and insect resistant – they can even be painted or decorated to your liking. You can divert water from your downspout to fill your rain barrel and a hose spigot on the front makes the water easy to access and use.

The Conservation Foundation sells rain barrels, also known as #WaterBarrels, year-round through our partnership with Upcycle Products, Inc. Our 55-gallon rain barrels are made of recycled food-grade plastic, come in a variety of colors and can be purchased for $72.00 (plus tax) for pick-up at #McDonaldFarm in Naperville.

Composters

When we compost our #KitchenScraps and #YardWaste we reduce the amount of material going to the #landfills and instead return nutrients to the #soil. The many benefits of #composting include reducing the amount of material going to landfills and adding organic matter to our #garden beds. This improves soil structure and texture, increases the soil’s ability to hold both water and air, improves soil fertility, and stimulates healthy root development in plants. And it saves you money so you don’t have to buy chemical fertilizers!

Upcycle compost bins (stationary and tumbling) are the same size as the 55 gallon rain barrel, approximately 2 ft by 3.5 ft (the base of the tumbling composter requires a 3 x 4 ft area). The bins are re-purposed BPA-free food grade plastic barrels."

FMI and to order:
https://theconservationfoundation.org/conservation-home/rain-barrels/

#SolarPunkSunday #Illinois #Composters #RainwaterCollection #WaterIsLife #SoilIsLife

#PortlandME - #Riverside #Recycling Facility

#HazardousWaste

"Hazardous Waste collection is the FIRST Saturday of each month April thru November between 7:30 AM and 1:00 PM. If near a holiday, please check the holiday schedule to see if we are open. If we are closed on the weekend that would be hazardous waste day it will normally be skipped entirely for that month.

You may want to visit www.PaintCare.org for paint disposal options in your area.

Riverside Recycling accepts household hazardous waste (HHW) on the 1st Saturday of the month (April through November.) Collection occurs from 7:30AM to 1PM. This program is open to all Maine residents disposing of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) from their residence. Portland E-Card holders may dispose of up to 10 gallons of HHW annually with a maximum of TWO visits at no charge (i.e. two visits of 5 gallons each visit, or one visit with 10 gallons will use up the HHW portion of your E-Card for the year). Acceptable paint, stain and varnish can be disposed of at no charge as part of the PaintCare.org program and does not go against the HHW portion of your Ecard. Residential customers without an Ecard will be charged $6.50 per gallon for liquid wastes or $3.50 per pound for solid wastes. Unfortunately, we cannot accept hazardous waste from businesses or municipalities..

How will the drop off program work?

Prepare your household hazardous waste for drop off. When preparing hazardous items for disposal at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, be sure that liquids are in sturdy leak-proof containers with caps or lids. Use the original container whenever possible. Secure breakable or loose items inside boxes or bags. Do not mix items together. Be careful that no items spill or break when they are in your vehicle.

Bring your items to Riverside Recycling, 910 Riverside St. on the 1st Saturday of the month (April through November.) Collection occurs from 7:30AM to 1PM. When you arrive at the facility, stop at the attendant’s booth and speak with the attendant. ALL HAZARDOUS WASTE MUST BE DROPPED OFF BEFORE RECYCLING ANY OTHER ITEMS.

Follow any directions you receive at the attendant’s booth and proceed into the facility. When you pull up at the HHW facility, stay in your vehicle. The HHW staff will handle removing your items for you.

The following are items commonly found in Portland homes that can be disposed of as part of the City of Portland’s household hazardous waste program.

Cleaning Products
- Oven cleaners
- Drain cleaners
- Wood and metal cleaners and polishes
- Toilet cleaners
- Tub, tile, shower cleaners
- Bleach (laundry)
- Pool chemicals

Automotive Products
- Motor oil
- Fuel additives
- Carburetor and fuel injection cleaners
- Air conditioning refrigerants
- Starter fluids
- Automotive batteries
- Transmission and brake fluid
- Antifreeze

Lawn and Garden Products
- Herbicides
- Insecticides
- Fungicides/wood preservatives

Other Flammable Products
- Kerosene
- Home heating oil
- Diesel fuel
- Lighter fluid
- Gasoline & Gas/Oil Mix

Indoor Pesticides
- Ant sprays and baits
- Cockroach sprays and baits
- Flea repellents and shampoos
- Bug sprays
- Houseplant insecticides
- Moth repellents
- Mouse and rat poisons and baits

Workshop/Painting Supplies
- Adhesives and glues
- Furniture strippers
- Oil, Latex and Enamel based paints
- Stains and finishes
- Paint thinners and turpentine
- Paint strippers and removers
- Photographic chemicals
- Fixatives and other solvents

Miscellaneous
- Driveway sealer

Please remain in your vehicle while dropping off your HHW items. We have trained staff that will inspect your items. Please be patient while they calculate how many gallons you have. Thank you."

Riverside Recycling
910 Riverside St | Portland, Maine 04103

https://riversiderecycles.com/hazardous-waste/

#SolarPunkSunday #HazardousWasteDisposal #HouseholdWaste #ResponsibleRecycling #Landfills #SpringCleaning

#Mainers - Unfortunately, the deadline for purchasing this year has passed. But bug your municipality about buying in bulk for next year! [Similar programs exist in other states... I'll take a look-see after posting this.]

Maine Resource Recovery Association -
#Recycling and Solid Waste Management

2025 Spring Backyard #Composting Supply Sale

It's that time of year again! Put in your bulk order today!

Backyard Composting Supplies

- Kitchen Pail
Collect food scraps for easy transfer to your compost bin.

- Lobster Trap Composter
Available in both a 3 and 4 foot size. Ideal for grass clippings, leaves, garden and food scraps. Comes with rings to assemble. Hog ring pliers are also available to order. MADE IN MAINE.

- REOTEMP Thermometer
Designed with a 20 inch stem this device is perfect for monitoring the interior temperature of your compost.

- #EarthMachine [I own two of these...]
80 gallon composting bin that converts, grass, leaves, and table scraps into an abundant supply of rich garden soil.

- Wingdigger
Use this handy tool to turn your compost. [I use a garden fork for that]

- #RainBarrell
55 gallon capacity, collects rain water for your garden.

- Backyard #Compost Guide

#Recycling Containers and Carts
roll offs

- Recycling Carts
Easy handling curbside cart comes in 35, 64, 96 gallon sizes. Carts have excellent balance and stability. They are available in various colors.

- Recycling Bin
18 gallon curbside recycler for paper, cans, glass, plastics, etc. Holds up to 80 pounds, and allows for drainage of any liquids.

Contact us to order."

https://mrra.net/home/products/

#SolarpunkSunday #Composting
#ReducingWaste #Landfills
#Maine #Recycling #MRRA #BackyardComposting #FoodWaste #FoodWasteComposting #RainwaterCollection

An excellent resource from #EcoMaine!

#FoodWaste and #Composting

"Did you know that almost a third of what we throw away is leftover or spoiled food? If Maine is to achieve a 50% recycling rate, we need to recover our food waste, too – it’s worth the weight!

"ecomaine added food waste recycling to our sustainable waste management solutions in order to help Maine reach its recycling goal. We continue to build food waste recycling capacity in southern Maine, serving as a central collection point for grocery stores, institutions, and participating cities and towns.

"Collected food waste is transported to #ExeterME’s #AgriEnergy [#AgricycleEnergy] to be de-packaged and anaerobically digested to produce sustainable power, organic farm #fertilizer, and cow bedding for the #Maine family dairy farm #StonyvaleFarm. Any packaging removed from the food waste is delivered back to ecomaine to be burned for energy—keeping all of it out of our #landfills!

"By making #composting, anaerobic digestion, and food waste recycling so easy, we encourage our communities to dispose of their waste responsibly.

"For more on compost that’s 'Worth The Weight,' check out our informational pamphlet!

#BackyardComposting

"Backyard composting is one of the easiest ways to keep organic material out of the trash. It also has some other great advantages:

- It doesn’t weigh your trash down as much.
- It doesn’t get into ecomaine‘s waste-to-energy plant, making our combustion more damp and less efficient.
- It’s easy – and “grass-cycling” (leaving clippings on the lawn) is better for your grass!
- It saves Maine’s towns money on collection and hauling.
- And it saves YOU money on trash bags!

"There are no trucks or driving involved – no carbon emissions! You just walk it out to your bin, and that’s it.

"In the end, composting produces rich #soil for flower and vegetable #gardens – without paying for it (again) at the store.

Drop Off Locations

"If you’re looking for a compost drop-off location, instead of putting it in your backyard, here are a few… If you know of one that’s not here, let us know! (Some facilities may be for residents only; we advise calling ahead if you’re not sure.)

[I've found that transfer stations are usually residents only...]

#BridgtonME Transfer Station
118 Sandy Creek Rd, Bridgton, ME, USA

#BrownfieldME Transfer Station
Pequawket Trail, Brownfield, ME, USA

#CapeElizabethME Recycling Center
10 Cooper Dr, Cape Elizabeth, ME, USA

#EliotME Recycling Center
468 Dow Highway, Eliot, ME, USA

#FalmouthME Community Park
Winn Rd, Falmouth, ME, USA

#FalmouthME Transfer Station
100 Woods Rd, Falmouth, ME, USA

#FalmouthME Village Park
22 Hat Trick Drive, Falmouth, ME

#FreeportME Recycling Center
100 Landfill Road, Freeport, ME, USA

#NorthYarmouthME Town Hall / #SamRistichNatureTrail, North Yarmouth, ME, USA

#PortlandME: #BoydStreet #CommunityGarden
2 Boyd Street, Portland, ME

Portland: #BrentwoodFarms Community Garden
Brentwood Street, Portland, ME

Portland: #Libbytown Community Garden
175 Douglass Street, Portland, ME

Portland: #NorthStreetCommunityGarden
195 North Street, Portland, ME

Portland: Parkside/King Middle School
In the back of the school near the Fitzpatrick Stadium parking lot
92 Deering Avenue, Portland, ME

Portland: #PaysonPark Community Garden
Dropoff located on Front Street.
Front Street, Portland, Maine

Portland: #ReicheSchool
Dropoff is on the Clark Street side.
166 Brackett Street, Portland, ME

Portland: #Riverton Community Garden
45 Verrill Street, Portland, Maine

#SacoME Dept. of Public Works
15 Phillips Spring Road, Saco, ME

Saco Parks & Rec
75 Franklin St, Saco, ME, USA

#ScarboroughME Public Works Facility
20 Washington Avenue, Scarborough, ME, USA

#SouthPortlandME City Hall
25 Cottage Rd, South Portland, ME, USA

South Portland Code Enforcement Office
496 Ocean Street, South Portland, ME

South Portland Golf Course Maint. Building
221 Westbrook Street, South Portland, ME, USA

South Portland High School
637 Highland Avenue, South Portland, ME, USA

South Portland Transfer Station
929 Highland Ave, South Portland, ME, USA

South Portland: Redback Community Center
95 Macarthur Circle West, South Portland, ME

#StandishME Transfer Station
150 Moody Rd, Standish, ME, USA

#SurryME: #ChickadeeCompost
Jill's Lane, Surry, Maine www.chickadeecompost.com

#VinalhavenME Transfer Station
178 Round the Island Rd, Vinalhaven, ME, USA

#YarmouthME Transfer Station
659 East Main Street, Yarmouth, ME, USA

Curbside Collection

And if you’re really not into the backyard thing, there are some companies who will pick it up for you!

- #WeCompostIt! (Greater Portland)
- #GarbageToGarden (Greater Portland)
- #ScrapDogs (Greater #CamdenME-#RockportME)
- #MrFoxComposting (Southern Maine & #NH)
- #ProjectEarth (Lincoln County)
- #ChickadeeCompost (All of #BlueHillME Peninsula, #DeerIsleME, #EllsworthME)
- #OneEarth Composting (#HampdenME)
- #AgriCycle Energy (Collection from businesses & organizations for anaerobic digestion – all over!)

Other Compost Resources:

Maine Department of Environmental Protection
207-592-0455

University of Maine Cooperative Extension
207-581-3188

Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions at the University of Maine – Food Recovery
207-581-3195

Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association [#MOFGA]
207-568-4142

#WormMainea
207-831-3752

#MainelyWorm Bins

#UncleJimsWormFarm
1-800-373-0555

Source (with links):
https://www.ecomaine.org/food-waste-and-composting/

#SolarpunkSunday #Composting #WormBins #ReducingWaste
#Landfills #Maine #WasteToEnergy

https://phys.org/news/2024-11-satellite-algorithms-reveal-ships-emit.html

"…we have a solid foundation that brings the monitoring of ship emissions based on satellite data much closer. There is still research to be done to see how much we can improve the extraction quality from the satellite signal." Kurchaba says…"At SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research, I'm currently working with Tropomi…developing methods using machine learning to detect #methane plumes from #superemitters like #coalmines, #landfills, and the #oilandgas industry."

Rain barrels and composters

#WestGreyOntario Municipality is now selling backyard composters! These are available for purchase at the Municipal office. The composters are $55, payable by cash, cheque or debit.

Backyard composting is a simple and effective way to manage food waste at home. Managing food and organic waste materials in a backyard unit is the most cost-effective method for organic waste materials and you get a great nutrient rich material to use on your lawn and in your garden.

As a rural community, West Grey residents have a close connection to nature and agriculture, and by leveraging our rural values we can make a positive impact on our waste management and preserve the finite capacity of our landfill sites.

Rain barrels

West Grey Municipality is now selling rain barrels and diverters! These are available for purchase at the Municipal office, and pickup at the Durham Waste Site during regular hours. The rain barrels are $63 and diverters are $40, payable by cash, cheque or debit. Limited stock available, first come first serve."

https://www.westgrey.com/en/services/rain-barrels-and-composters.aspx

#WaterConservation #Landfills #Composting #ReduceFoodWaste #CompostFoodWaste #RainwaterCollection #WaterIsLife

Rain Barrel & Compost Bin Distribution Event

"For the 9th year in a row, the City of Edmond is partnering with the Central #Oklahoma Stormwater Alliance (#COSWA) member cities of Bethany, Choctaw, Noble, Norman, Midwest City, Moore, Mustang, Oklahoma City, Stillwater, and Yukon in a regional effort to encourage Oklahoma residents to conserve water, reduce water pollution, improve air quality, and divert waste from landfills by using rain barrels and compost bins. The distribution event will take place on Saturday, April 6, 2024."

https://www.edmondok.gov/1391/Rain-Barrel-Compost-Bin-Distribution-Eve

#WaterConservation #Landfills #Composting #ReduceFoodWaste #CompostFoodWaste #RainwaterCollection #WaterIsLife

An example of municipal programs which offer discounted composters (Earth machines) and rainbarrels at a discounted rate. If your state or municipality doesn't offer them, they should. I believe the #EPA provides funding for the discounts.

#ErieCountyNY offers residents rain barrels and compost bins

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/erie-county-offers-residents-rain-barrels-and-compost-bins/ar-BB1juE8r

#WaterConservation #Landfills #Composting #ReduceFoodWaste #CompostFoodWaste #RainwaterCollection #WaterIsLife

ICYMI - From 2017

Levels of #EWaste soar in #Asia as gadgets become affordable, UN says

Amount of electronic waste up 63% in five years, with China’s more than doubling, United Nations University report finds

Agence France-Presse
Sun 15 Jan 2017 11.29 EST

"Levels of #ElectronicWaste are rising sharply across #Asia, as higher incomes mean hundreds of millions of people can afford #smartphones and other #gadgets, according to a UN study.

"The amount of e-waste in Asia has risen by 63% in five years, a report by United Nations University said, warning of the need to improve #recycling and disposal methods across the region to prevent serious #environmental and health consequences.

"Ruediger Kuehr, the report’s co-author and head of UNU’s sustainable cycles programme, said: 'For many countries that already lack infrastructure for environmentally sound e-waste management, the increasing volumes are a cause for concern.'

"For many years, China and other Asian countries have recycled discarded electronics from wealthier countries in rudimentary and often unsafe factories.

"But the report said Asia has become a major source of e-waste due to increasingly affluent #consumers buying electronic items including #phones, #tablets, #refrigerators, #computers and #televisions.

"China’s generation of e-waste more than doubled between 2010 and 2015, the period of the study, according to the report.

"#HongKong generated the highest amount of e-waste in Asia in 2015, an average of 21.7kg (3.4st) per person.

"#Singapore and #Taiwan created just over 19kg per person in 2015.

"#Cambodia, #Vietnam and the #Philippines were among the lowest e-waste generators, with an average of about 1kg per person."

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/15/electronic-e-waste-levels-soar-asia-gadgets-united-nations-university-report

#Consumerism #Capitalism #Crapitalism #PlannedObsolescence #SupportLegacyProducts #Landfills #RightToRepair #EnvironmentalRacism #WaterIsLife #SoilIsLife #RepairReuseRecycle #Consumerism #Anticonsumerism #EnvironmentalPollution

@primonatura Excellent! Now if other countries could follow suit.

In Push to Find Methane Leaks, Satellites Gear Up for the Hunt

Stemming the methane leaks from #landfills, #oil fields, natural gas #pipelines and more is one of the most powerful levers we have to quickly slow global warming. New satellites are bolstering this urgent mission by pinpointing emitters of this potent greenhouse gas from space.

By Cheryl Katz • June 15, 2021

"Methane-hunting satellites have made a number of concerning discoveries. Among them: Despite the pandemic, methane emissions from oil and gas operations in #Russia rose 32 percent in 2020. Satellites also observed sizeable releases from gas pipelines in #Turkmenistan, a landfill in #Bangladesh, a natural gas field in #Canada, and coal mines in the U.S. #Appalachian Basin.

"The methane concentration in Earth’s atmosphere has been surging over the past half-decade, the NOAA Annual Greenhouse Gas Index shows. And despite the pandemic, 2020 saw the biggest one-year jump on record. The causes of the recent spike are unclear, but could include natural gas fracking, increased output from methane-producing microbes spurred by rising temperatures, or a combination of human-caused and natural forces."

#Methane #GreenhouseGas #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #OilFields #Fracking #Siberia #Kazakhstan

https://e360.yale.edu/features/in-push-to-find-methane-leaks-satellites-gear-up-for-the-hunt