Compost Awareness Day is May 4

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY……The Prince William County Solid Waste Division of Public Works will host a Compost Awareness Day Event and Paper Shred for Prince William area residents on Saturday, May 4, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Prince William County Balls Ford Road Yard Waste Compost Facility, located at 13000 Balls Ford Road in Manassas. Paper shred only service will also be available at the Prince William County Landfill, 14811 Dumfries Road (Route 234) in Manassas. Both events are free and open to the public, including residents of Manassas and Manassas Park. Highlights of the event include:

•WTOP’s “Garden Guru” Mike McGrath will talk about backyard composting and its benefits in his unique and entertaining style.
•Virginia Cooperative Extension – Prince William Master Gardeners, Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District and Manassas Top Soil will be there to provide guidance and information to residents about composting and gardening.
•Keep Prince William Beautiful, Future Farmers of America from Brentsville High School and Waste Management will also have displays and materials to share.
•There will also be an Eastern Clearing exhibit of compost in various stages and a composted lawn display.
•Paper shred for household documents only, limit four boxes.
•Compost bin sales ($20/each, limit three/household while supplies last)
•Compost truckload sale

In addition to learning how to compost, residents can also learn about the importance compost plays in plant growth and lawn and soil health. Additionally, composting has positive effects on the environment. It reduces or eliminates the need for fertilizers and saves landfill space because it reduces disposal of yard waste at the landfill. Yard waste is more than 13% of the waste stream in Prince William County so composting is a part of the “Reduce Reuse Recycle” continuum.

Prince William County Solid Waste Division encourages residents to attend this special event and learn more about the use and benefits of compost. For more information about the Compost Awareness event and paper shred restrictions visit www.pwcgov.org/trashandrecycling or contact the Solid Waste Division at 703–792–4670.
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