Your Composting Guide for September
The leaves are starting to change, and we’re buzzing with excitement here at Dakota Prairie Composting! September is a crucial month for us, as the influx of fall yard waste helps us balance our compost recipes and continue our mission of diverting valuable organic materials from landfills. We’re so grateful for the support of our residential customers in the surrounding communities.
TOP 5 WAYS YOU CAN MAKE THE MOST OF AUTUMN
- Unleash Your Leaves! Drop Off Your Yard Waste
September means leaves, and we need them! These “brown” materials are essential for the perfect carbon-to-nitrogen balance in our compost piles. Bring us your leaves, grass clippings, and other garden debris. Check our website or give us a call for current drop-off hours and any associated fees—your yard waste directly adds to the nutrient-rich compost!
- Master the Art of Organics Separation
Every food scrap you keep out of the trash helps us produce high-quality compost. Continue to diligently separate your food waste at home. We welcome fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, bones, dairy, eggs, and baked goods. Knowing what not to include (like plastics, glass, or treated wood) helps prevent contamination.
- Use Only Certified Compostable Bags for Food Scraps: Look for the BPI logo!
Make sure your food scraps are in BPI-certified compostable bags, designed to break down in our composting process. Regular plastic bags, though they look similar, are a major contaminant and can harm our equipment and the quality of our finished product.
- Break Down Larger Yard Materials
While we’re equipped to handle a lot, giving us a head start helps! If you have larger garden debris like spent corn stalks or thick branches, take a moment to chop them into smaller pieces before you bring them in to speed up our composting process and for efficient breakdown.
- Stay Connected for the Latest Updates
As a new facility, we’re continuing to refine our operations. Check the Dakota Prairie Composting website for up-to-date information on drop-off hours, accepted materials, and any special seasonal initiatives we launch (like our upcoming free pumpkin drop-off program!). Your awareness helps us serve you better!
Thank you for being a part of our mission to create a more sustainable future, one compost pile at a time! We look forward to seeing your leaves (and any other organic waste) this September!
