Dartmouth residents are invited to Compost Bin Day, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, June 15 at the Crapo Hill Landfill at 300 Samuel Barnet Boulevard in New Bedford. 

At the event, attendees who purchase, or previously purchased, a backyard compost bin from the district can choose from two types of kitchen counter bins: a two-gallon plastic Sure-Close kitchen counter bin for free or a one-gallon stainless steel kitchen counter bin, available for purchase for $30.28 each (including tax). The District only accepts cash, check or money order. 

Food scraps can be collected in the kitchen bins in the home and when they reach capacity can then be emptied in backyard compost bins.

The event is organized by the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District, which offers discounted backyard compost bins for $25 each. Proof of residency in either Dartmouth or New Bedford is required at purchase.

The benefits of composting include creating nutrient rich soil for gardening, reducing greenhouse gasses such as methane and reducing the use of plastic trash bags. 

“Food waste makes up approximately 20% of the waste that residents generate in their homes. Composting fruit and vegetable scraps saves space in your trash bags and the landfill, while providing nutrient rich material for gardening,” said Waste Reduction Manager Marissa Perez-Dormitzer.