Free composting bins available for city community gardens

Sep. 1—The sustainability division of the city's Public Works Department is offering free composting bins to community gardens.

To be eligible, the gardens must be run by non-profit organizations or educational institutions in Reading for the benefit of city residents.

The department supports and promotes community gardens in several ways, including with waste management services, and has put vacant city lots to use as community gardens, said Bethany Ayers-Fisher, city sustainability manager.

"One of the needs that we saw was the need for composting bins," she said.

Her division is acquiring two types of bins that will be distributed on a first-come basis.

The bin giveaway, called a mini grant, is aimed at reducing landfilled waste, supporting the gardens' production of compost for soil amendment and fertilization and promoting composting in the city.

Two types of bins were selected for distribution: A 96-gallon worm composting bin on wheels and a larger mesh bin.

"The worm composting bins are a little bit experimental for us," Ayers-Fisher said. "They help speed up the process of composting, and they're great for like kitchen scraps and yard trimmings."

The worm composters come with a supply of red wiggler worms that help to process kitchen and other small plant scraps into compost. The bin is on wheels so the compost can be easily moved throughout the garden, Ayers-Fisher said.

The more traditional mesh bins are expandable and better accommodate brush and leaves, she said.

To be eligible gardens must be run by a 501(c)(3) organization, church, educational institution, or other nonprofit for the benefit of the community.

Private and house gardens are not eligible.

To serve as many gardens as possible, each will be limited to one worm composting bin and two expandable bins.

A waiting list will be available.

Bins must remain in the garden to which they are allocated.

The application process is open until September 15.

Applications can be made online at ReadingPA.gov/Sustainability.

For more information email Sustainability@ReadingPA.gov.