Santa Fe County Accepting Applications for Free Residential Composting Systems

By Santa Fe County

Are you interested in a composting system installed at your home for no cost? A limited number of residents who haul their trash to a Santa Fe County solid waste convenience center could qualify for a composting system.  The Santa Fe County Sustainability Office hired the local non-profit organization, Reunity Resources, to install straw bale composting systems at approximately 35 households. An alternative with a smaller footprint will be offered to those who do not have the space for this 6’ x 6’ system. In addition to installing the system, Reunity Resources will provide an instructional guide, and the Santa Fe County Sustainability Office will provide on-going technical assistance. Reunity Resources has worked in Santa Fe creating high quality compost and biofuel using local food scraps and used cooking oil from restaurants and schools.

This program is designed to help residents save money on permit punches and bag tags and extend the life of the regional landfill. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, food waste and yard trimmings are 28% of the waste we generate. Compare that to glass, which is 4% of what we generate, and it is easy to see how big of an impact can be made by keeping these materials out of the landfill. Aside from helping residents save money on drop off fees, compost improves soil vitality, retains moisture, reduces the need for water and irrigation, protects plants from disease, encourages growth of trees, and mitigates greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the amount of carbon stored in the soil.

The application can be downloaded at www.santafecountynm.gov/public_works/sustainability or residents can contact Sustainability Specialist, Neal Denton, at (505) 992-9832 or ndenton@santafecountynm.gov . Applicants must demonstrate they purchase permits or bag tags for solid waste convenience centers to qualify.

All applications must be received by 5 p.m. on August 24, 2018.

Those who are unable to submit an application by the deadline are encouraged to contact Mr. Denton to be added to a waiting list for potential future installations. The Sustainability Office will explore options to expand this program in the coming years.