Back by popular demand and in appreciation of resident participation in the curbside yard trimmings program, RethinkWaste and the City of Foster City have teamed up to give away FREE compost on Saturday, October 11, 2008, from 8 AM to 5 PM as long as supplies last.

Close the recycling loop by participating in the Compost Giveaway. Residents may take up to 1 cubic yard of compost (about six full garbage cans) at no charge from the west corner of Boat Park, which is located at the intersection of Foster City Boulevard and Bounty Drive. Bring shovels, gloves and containers.

The compost is made from yard trimmings, which are collected at the curb and composted at a local composting facility. Yard trimmings make up more than half of California’s municipal waste.

Composting, nature’s way of recycling, is the controlled decomposition of organic material such as leaves, twigs, grass clippings, and vegetable food scraps. “Compost” is the valuable, nutrient-rich soil product that results from proper composting. The compost is ideally used as an amendment to enrich soil for lawns, gardens, ornamental plants, trees, and potted plants.

Composting helps to keep the high volume of organic material out of local landfills and turns that material into a useful product. Proper management of yard trimmings reduces the nutrient runoff to wetlands and the Bay, thereby promoting better water quality. Additionally, by applying compost to yards, organic resources are put back into the soil, providing a non-chemical alternative to fertilizers.

In addition to curbside yard trimming collection, backyard and worm composting are options available to residents for large-scale composting. Reduced-priced bins are available through RecycleWorks, a program of the County of San Mateo. Free home composting workshops are offered at the Foster City Recreation Center. Sign up at the Recreation Center (650 Shell Boulevard) or online.

The South Bayside Waste Management Authority/RethinkWaste is a regional agency, formed in 1982 to help local communities manage and reduce waste. To learn more about SBWMA/RethinkWaste, please visit www.RethinkWaste.org.