Will County is partnering with the Conservation Foundation to promote the use of rain barrels and compost bins. Residents may purchase and pick-up these environmentally-friendly products at several county-sponsored events throughout the spring.
“This has been a successful partnership over the years between the Will County Land Use Department and the Conservation Foundation, as more homeowners are seeing the value of utilizing rain barrels and compost bins,” said County Executive Bertino-Tarrant. “I invite residents to take advantage of these pick-up events.”
Bins and barrels may be ordered online and picked up at one of four upcoming Resource Recovery and Energy Division events. Residents also can pay for home delivery.
According to the Will County Land Use Department, a rain barrel will capture 70-to-90 percent of a typical rainfall, allowing some overflow to cascade across lawns to storm drains in the street or swales in some subdivisions. The captured water can be used for watering gardens, plants, trees, and bushes between rainfalls, saving money and reducing the impact on limited drinking water supplies.
Compost bins are a great place to toss grass clippings, weeds, twigs, vegetable and fruit scraps, coffee grounds, tea leaves, and more. The organic component formed by decomposition of plant material is a natural fertilizer produced by compost that can be applied to a garden, flower bed, tree, or bush. It also aids in holding moisture in the soil during hot, dry periods of the year.
Costs for rain barrels range from $64.50 – $119, and cost for compost bins ranges from $75.50 – $186.50, depending on size and style. A variety of accessories also are available. When ordering, residents should select either at-home delivery or choose a pick-up date and location. Items may be picked up at events in the following communities: Saturday, May 6, Homer Glen – order by April 30; Friday, May 12, Joliet – order by May 5; Saturday, May 13, Wilmington – order by May 6; Saturday, June 3, Naperville – order by May 26.