TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County is hosting on online sale for compost bins and rain barrels to enable residents to celebrate Earth Day through the sustainable practices of home composting and rainwater reuse.

Compost bins are available for $55 and rain barrels for $65 (tax included) and can be ordered through Wednesday, April 12. Orders will be available for pickup on Saturday, April 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lot 7 at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC)’s Essex Campus, located at 7201 Rossville Boulevard. Purchasers should bring a receipt and distribution will take place rain or shine. There will be no purchases available at the distribution location.

Baltimore County now allows some food scraps to be used in backyard composting. Visit the County’s composting page for more information and to see a list of prohibited food items.

Through decomposition, composting converts food scraps and yard materials into a rich soil-enhancing material called humus. When this material is mixed with the soil in your gardens or on your lawn, it returns nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen and many trace minerals that are beneficial for plant health and growth. Using compost also helps increase water retention in sandy soils and aids drainage in heavy and clay soils.

Collecting and reusing rainwater is a healthy way to help the environment and your garden as rainwater is free from chlorine and other water treatment chemicals. Using a rain barrel reduces water pollution that can at times be caused by stormwater runoff.

For more information, residents may visit the Bureau of Solid Waste Management’s website or call 410-887-2000.

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