The Burbank Recycle Center will be hosting 11 new free composting workshops to celebrate the City’s 20th anniversary of backyard composting (thank you to the Burbank Library Blog for the tip)! Compost bins are free for residents. Burbank has provided residents with free composting instruction since 1989. Since then, composting has played a major part in the City’s ability to divert 50% of its waste from the landfill as required by State law. The City collects over 1,000 tons of green waste per month at the curb and takes it to a composting facility outside of Burbank. Backyard composting helps to reduce this amount.

At the composting workshops, some of the topics include:

• How and what to compost
• Simple ways of avoiding odors and flies
• Harvesting and using compost
• Vermicomposting and grasscycling
• Mulching, pruning, fertilizing
• Xeriscape (minimal water usage) landscaping

Choose from the following dates and call to rsvp (818) 238-3900

January 16, 10am - Luther Middle School (3700 West Jeffries Avenue)

January 23, 10am - Jefferson Elementary (1900 N. Sixth Street)

January 30, 10am - Stevenson Elementary (3333 Oak Street)

February 6, 10am - Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School (850 North Cordova Street)

February 20, 10am - Muir Middle School (1111 North Kenneth Road)

February 27, 10am - Brace Canyon Park, Picnic Area 2 (2901 Haven Way)

March 13, 10am - Burbank Adult School (3811 West Allan Avenue)

March 20, 10am - McCambridge Park, Picnic Area 3 (1515 North Glenoaks)

April 17, 10am - Community Services Building, First Floor (150 North Third Street)

April 17, 1:00pm - Burbank Adult School (3811 West Allan Avenue)

May 1, 10am Location TBA

What is compost?

Compost is a dark, crumbly, sweet, earthy-smelling form of decomposing organic matter.

Composting is the natural breakdown of organic materials by living organisms. In a meadow or on the forest floor, dead plants decay, and many of the nutrients that plants take up during their life are released back into the soil, forming compost.

Why compost?

Backyard composting is a simple, convenient way to turn yard waste into a rich soil amendment. It greatly reduces the volume of yard trimmings and food scraps normally disposed of and produces a rich soil amendment that:

• Reduces the need for commercial fertilizers and pesticides
• Improves drainage and loosens heavy clay soils
• Conserves moisture in light sandy soils
• Produces healthier plants and slows evaporation, which reduces water usage
• Saves money on fertilizers and water
• Reduces the need for City collection of yard waste

This information and more can be found at The City of Burbank website.

Photo Courtesy of Simon Howden and FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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