Did you know you could get Almost Free, $5 Composting Bins from the City of Phoenix, AZ if you are a resident.
I suggest to all of my clients who purchase homes in Phoenix, AZ to consider getting their Almost Free, $5 Composting Bins from the City of Phoenix, AZ.
It is very easy for residents of Phoenix, AZ. You can just contact the city for a $5 recycled compost container at (602)262-7251 or (602)262-6598.
The City of Phoenix uses old garbage containers that are drilled out instead of ones like the photo below. The work very much the same and have the added benefit of recycling city trash containers.
This photo I found looks like somone took their recycled garbage can, now a composting bin very similar to the $5 composting bin from the City of Phoenix, and made it a creative piece of garden art perhaps.
I have been a AZ resident since 1986, I have lived in Scottsdale, Mesa, Chand and now have lived in Gilbert, AZ for over 11 years now and have been composting for the last 5 or 6 years; ever since I found out many cities will provide you one of the models above for either free or a very minimal amount if you are a resident. This both reduces the amount of trash we generate for the city to pick up and charge residents for and is a great source of nutrients for the small vebetable gardens we plant around our house.
How Do I get Almost Free, $5 Composting Bins from the City of Phoenix, AZ? Below you can see some Potatoes, Carrots, Radishes, Various leave lettuce and behind the hose are some strawberries. Yes strawberries, even here in the desert.
It is very easy for residents of Pheonix, AZ. You just can contact the city for a $5 recycled compost container at (602)262-7251 or (602)262-6598.
What can I actually compost?
Mary Owens has a list of 163 things you can compost: http://www.plantea.com/compost-materials.htm
The Town of Gilbert, AZ suggests:
Carbon-RichNitrogen-Rich
| (Brown and Dry) | (Green and moist) |
|
Straw |
Cactus |
|
Sawdust |
Wet grass clippings |
|
Pine Needles |
Fresh plant clippings |
|
Small branches |
Vegetable and fruit waste |
|
Drier lint |
Barnyard manures and beddings |
| Dry grass clippings | Spoiled food |
| Dried plant materials | Tea bags and coffee grounds |
| Hair, Fur, and feathers |
What Can't I compost?
Composting Instuctions.com suggests not to compost:
Details
| Ashes (coal or charcoal) |
n/a
|
May contain materials that are toxic to plants. |
| Cat droppings/litter |
n/a
|
These may contain disease organisms and should always be avoided for composting. |
| Colored paper | ||
| Dog droppings |
n/a
|
Same as cats. |
| Lime |
n/a
|
Acidity can kill composting action. |
| Meat, fat, grease, oils, bones |
n/a
|
Do not break down, can coat materials and “preserve” them, can attract pests. |
| Nonbiodegradable materials | ||
| Toxic materials |
The also suggest some items that may be composted, but only with "caution and skill"
Materials C/N Details
| Bird droppings |
Nitrogen
|
Some bird droppings may contain disease or weed seeds |
| Diseased Plants |
Nitrogen
|
Make sure your pile gets to at least 135 degrees Fahrenheit for a few days to let it “therma kill” the disease |
| Milk, yogurt, cheese |
Neutral
|
May attract pests, so put it in the middle to deep into the pile |
| Weeds |
Nitrogen
|
For best results, dry them out until crunchy, then add them to your compost pile |
| Sod |
Nitrogen
|
Like diseased plants, make sure your pile gets hot enough to make sure the grass doesn’t keep growing in your pile. |
Click here for other cities composting programs and gardening related blogging.
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