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Santa Fe, NM- The Santa Fe County Sustainability Division is excited to announce an opportunity for residents to participate in the annual backyard composting program. This program is an ongoing commitment to support County residents in implementing sustainable practices in their homes and strive to become zero waste. The Sustainability Division is extending its partnership with Reunity Resources to offer free composting systems on a first come, first served basis to Santa Fe County residents who are currently customers of the County’s solid waste convenience centers. Applications will be accepted until May 31, 2024, at 5:00pm and will be considered upon receipt.

Composting is a process by which organic materials, such as food scraps and yard trimmings, are “recycled” into a rich soil amendment. In 2018, over one third of municipal solid waste in the United States consisted of food and yard trimmings. The goal of the Santa Fe County backyard composting program is to divert organic material from the landfill. This saves residents time and money needed to transport trash to County convenience centers, reduces the greenhouse gas emissions generated from landfills, and produces a soil amendment to help plants flourish.

Applicants must be a resident of Santa Fe County with a valid County solid waste permit. This typically means that the applicant does not have a curbside trash pick-up service and instead disposes of their trash and recycling at one of the County’s seven solid waste convenience centers.

The backyard composting program is intended for residents who do not currently compost. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

To apply for the backyard composting program, click here or visit the Santa Fe County Sustainability Division website. County residents may also call Michael Carr, Sustainability Specialist at 505-995-9515 or email mcarr@santafecountynm.gov.

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