September 14, 2000 Media Advisory Rain or shine, people will be in line for a compost bin bargain A large turn out of folks wanting to compost yard waste is expected at King County's compost bin sale on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2000. The county gets nearly 50 calls a week from people wanting to know more about composting. The one-day discounted compost bin sale will take place between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the following three locations: The Boeing Parking lot, Perimeter Road, gate A-9, Auburn Bellevue Community College, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, lot #7, Bellevue Inglemoor High School, 15500 Simonds Road, Kenmore The sale will feature compost bins that normally retail for $80. However, for this one-day sale King County is able to offer them to county residents for the low price of $25, plus tax. Residents who live outside King County or in the city limits of Seattle pay $35, plus tax. Bring proof of residency and cash or checks only. A recent county study found that 32% of the people surveyed bring their yard waste to transfer stations or landfills. In 1999 King County transfer stations took in an estimated 68,000 tons of yard waste. The county is sponsoring this sale to promote the benefits of composting to homeowners' yards as well as the environment in general, including: Reducing the amount of garbage and the money spent on yardwaste disposal, Improving soil nutrients for lawns and gardens, Improving the soil's ability to hold water, thereby reducing water usage and subsequent bills, Naturally fertilizing and controling pests without the need for chemicals. The insecticides and chemicals used in yard care impact local streams and waterways. A water quality study done last year by the county found that in all but one of ten streams, the concentration of diazinon, a commonly used insecticide, exceeded acceptable levels for long-term exposure of aquatic life, such as threatened Chinook salmon. For further information on the one-day sale or compost bins in general, please contact the King County Department of Natural Resources Solid Waste Division at (206) 296-4466 or go to http://www.metrokc.gov/. Related Topics Organics and Composting Master Recycler Composter Program Household Recycling Programs Waste Reduction Solid Waste Division Earth Legacy 2000

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