The Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District (SWWCSWMD) is currently accepting orders for "SoilSaver" brand composters. This is an easy way to convert yard and food scraps into a soil amendment, a process that also saves valuable landfill space. The SoilSaver has natural insulating properties due to is structural foam construction, a feature that makes it resistant to weather and UV rays. Its large capacity can serve a household of up to five people. In addition, the locking lid helps to keep pesky animals out of the decomposing material. 10-year guarantee; 28" wide x 28" deep x 32" high; 2 slide-up doors for easy removal of compost; self-watering lid feature. The District gets a bulk discount and passes the savings on to residents. This year the price per composter is $40.00. Order form .

Also available for sale is the Sure-Close containers to help store and move kitchen scraps out to your composter. At $5 each, they're a bargain at twice the price. The Sure-Close pail is a beige and white plastic container with a 1.9 gallon capacity. It can sit on the kitchen counter or be mounted on a wall or under the sink. It is about 9.25" x 9.25" x 11.5" and has a wide opening.

Order forms with checks for composter and./or Sure-Close container are available at the SWWCSWMD website.

New this yearL The District is offering backyard composting workshops. If you attend a workshop, you can purchase one composter at the greatly discounted price of $25.00 (additional composters are $40). The workshops will be held at 5:30 p.m. on the following dates:

Rockingham Public Library - Wednesday, May 17

Windsor Public Library - Wednesday, June 7

Springfield Town Library - Thursday, June 8

Fletcher Memorial Library in Ludlow - Wednesday, June 14

The workshop presentation is about 45 minutes in length with time afterwards for questions and answers. Cat Buxton will teach the workshops. To sign up, call 674-9235 or email mobrien@swcrpc.org.