Composting Guidelines
The City of Chicago recently adopted a new ordinance for composting. Material coming from the garden can be composted in open bins, like the cinder block bins that we have been using. But materials coming from off-site, like kitchen scraps, must be composted in enclosed bins, to deter rodents. The garden has two enclosed compost bins located along the alley on the west side of the west garden.
Here are the procedures for using the new bins:
The enclosed bins are primarily for kitchen scraps. Acceptable kitchen scraps include: fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds and filters, eggshells, etc.
Do NOT put in any food scraps with oil, dairy, meat or fish.
New kitchen scraps should be put in the left-side bin only (as you are facing the bins). Use the strap to lift the lid, and dump your scraps through the top.
Cover your scraps with a layer of dry leaves or shredded newspaper from the metal garbage can near the enclosed bin.
Please continue to put plant material from your plot into the open compost bins, not the enclosed bins. Chop up materials in small pieces and add them to the first open/cinderblock bin on the left. Remember to put diseased plants and bind weed into the trash, not the compost.
If you see someone dropping off kitchen scraps in an open bin, please let them know about the new enclosed bins on the west side and explain how to use them.
If you have questions or comments, please contact us at [email protected]
