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Pg. 2 <br /> Eliminating plastic bags from the Yard Waste Program will result in operational cost <br /> savings as well as eliminating toxic waste at the area's landfills. We can reduce this cost <br /> through two objectives: <br /> 1. Using paper bags or reusable containers for yard waste collection. Paper yard waste <br /> bags can be found at most supermarkets and home improvement stores, but even paper <br /> grocery bags can be used for clippings and leaves. Reusable plastic containers can also <br /> hold yard waste. <br /> 2. Recycling yard waste at home through the production and use of compost and mulch, <br /> including adding mulching blades to lawn mowers. While residents are encouraged to <br /> take advantage of the compost and mulch produced by Organic Resources, composting <br /> and mulching yard waste at home is equally effective. Residents can collect <br /> compostable materials in an outdoor bin or a dry, shady spot in the yard. With exposure <br /> to moisture and oxygen these organic materials will break down into a natural, <br /> inexpensive alternative to toxic and costly fertilizers and pesticides. <br /> Andre Price, Manager of the Division of Solid Waste announced the city's Compost Bin Design <br /> Contest—"Win a Bin". Children, ages 7-14 can enter a coloring contest to design a lid for their <br /> own compost bin. Eight winners will be selected and each will receive a bin with their design on <br /> the lid. The contest will continue until September 30. Entry forms are available at all South <br /> Bend Martin's stores, by contacting the city at 235-9953, on the city's website <br /> www.southbendin.gov, or email energygsouthbendin.gov. <br /> Background Information: <br /> Yard waste is dumped into piles at the Organic Resource Facility. The piles are turned and <br /> moistened to ensure adequate water and oxygen exposure for the microbes that break down the <br /> yard waste into compost. These piles are also screened at least twice over their maturation to <br /> filter and eliminate non-biodegradable material like the plastic bags,resulting in additional fuel <br /> and operation costs <br /> South Bend Energy Office email—energygsouthbendin.gov <br /> Link to Energy Office webpage—www.southbendin.gov/energy <br />