Since there has been a lot of interest recently in trash removal in Brattleboro, I thought I'd mention a possible method for getting rid of food waste when you don't have a whole lot of yard space.
There is a product called the Green Cone (www.greencone.ca) which I have used for the past 15 years or so. It's a large green plastic cone attached to what looks like a plastic laundry basket. You bury the basket in the ground and dump your food waste into it. It gradually turns into dirt. There is no stirring or smell. It just sits there and does its thing. I love it.
You need to realize that it does NOT produce compost. It's just an easy way to get rid of your food waste. And it's portable. If you move locations, you take it with you. You only need about 4 square feet of ground. I don't get much sun where mine is, but it doesn't seem to matter. It works fine anyway.
I just thought I'd mention it for all the renters in the area who are struggling with their garbage. The only down side is that it is a bit pricey (I think I paid about $100 for mine some time ago). I couldn't find the current price on their website, so I guess you have to chat with them to find out. But it might be something to consider for the city-dwellers. If you want more information from someone who uses it every day, just contact me through this site.
Authored by: cgrotke on Sunday, March 08 2009 @ 01:09 PM GMT+4
"It should be noted that Green Cones™ are most
suitable for single-family owner-occupied households.
Rental units and multi-family households present a
challenge due to the fact that multiple users of the cones
and potential high turnover of occupants could result in
non-food contamination of the cones. "
Looks like a great product for single family homes. A test they
reference showed people diverting over 400 lbs of food waste in a
year.
Authored by: kitty on Monday, March 09 2009 @ 11:46 AM GMT+4
I'm confused about continued assertions that compost needs sun. I'm no green thumb but I've composted for years (sometimes as a renter) and did not know this. Looking at the composting info at this site (http://www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org/portal/reduce-reuse-recycle/composting-mainmenu-28,) one of the recommendations for compost location is actually to put it in a "relatively shaded" spot to aid decomposition.
As an aside, for $40 the WSWMD sells black plastic composters. We have one and it seems to work fine. (Maybe the black attracts heat? I would say it's in "partial shade" most of the time, through no planning of my own.) It would be nice if they could just give them out for free...
Authored by: Maus Anon E on Monday, March 09 2009 @ 12:30 PM GMT+4
Direct sun may be "optimum," but it's not necessary. I have a compost pile that's been in continuous operation for 60 years, and it's in the most shaded area on the property. I don't use any kind of composter or any other equipment. I also don't turn it more than once a year, sometimes less, but I haven't been gardening for the last few years, so I don't actually use the compost.
Authored by: cgrotke on Monday, March 09 2009 @ 12:45 PM GMT+4
Our yard is almost complete shade all the time, and the trees keep
things pretty dry beneath them. There are some small areas that get
warm and wet enough to break a bit of matter down, but it is
generally too cool for composting for 3 units. We keep trying.
(Upstairs neighbors tried the black bin a few years ago, but without
much luck). I've found one spot in the driveway that can break down
leaves pretty well.
So, when I say sun I'm using shorthand that refers to our yard. I
really mean the warmth and conditions necessary.
One of the best spots I had was in Somerville. Someone had left one
of the corrugated plastic postal bins and I started putting cuttings in it.
I left it out on the asphalt yard. Made the best dirt, and quickly.
Authored by: acharkes on Sunday, March 08 2009 @ 12:46 PM GMT+4
Why should the town/taxpayers subsidize landlords? They are in business
to make money from their tenants. All of us need to take responsibility
for our waste.
Authored by: pjmelton on Sunday, March 08 2009 @ 06:05 PM GMT+4
Because otherwise renters will have to pay more for garbage pickup than people who own yards. It's not really subsidizing landlords, but rather subsidizing renters. Logistically, though, it's easier for the town to do.
It's easy to say people should be responsible for their own waste, and in principle I agree. However, people who don't own property and who live in small spaces -i.e., the poor - have a much harder time taking responsibility for the same amount of waste that the landed elite can easily handle.
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"Economic laws are not made by nature. They are made by human beings." -- FDR
Authored by: mr.mike on Sunday, March 08 2009 @ 09:13 PM GMT+4
I'm impressed with the info on this. I've made my own composter out of a plastic barrel but love the thought of using the "Green Johanna".
But unfortunately, I don't know where to get one. Vermont is so behind the times and lagging in environmental friendly products and renewable products that we don't have them readily available to us. It's great that there was an extensive study done which was probably paid for by some taxpayers dollars if the ANR was involved. But why isn't it being promoted and why aren't these things for sale anywhere locally? Seems like a no brainer. But then again so does the wood pellet situation.
Vermont's not green. It's in the dark.
Sorry if I sound offensive
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Rainy Day Funds : Vermont's taxpayer funded savings account for the sole purpose of keeping a good bond rating. Nothing else.
Authored by: mr.mike on Sunday, March 08 2009 @ 09:43 PM GMT+4
Furthermore, if Vermont really wanted to show a commitment to something like this it would wave the sales tax on these and make them even more affordable. As well as let us write them off on our taxes.
I know, that's alot to ask.
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Rainy Day Funds : Vermont's taxpayer funded savings account for the sole purpose of keeping a good bond rating. Nothing else.
Just sounds like another weak excuse to bitch about Vermont
Authored by: Maus Anon E on Monday, March 09 2009 @ 01:06 PM GMT+4
***But unfortunately, I don't know where to get one. Vermont is so behind the times***
21st century Vermonters know to follow the links on the Green Cone site to find the U.S. retailer. Which is also where you'd discover that, if Vermont is "lagging" in availability of the Green Cone, then it lags along with 49 other states, including your beloved state of New Hampshire.
You can order one from a place in Illinois over the internets. They also have a "1-800" number you can use if you've upgraded to phone service from telegraph. I'm afraid it's not available in the Monkey Ward's mail order catalog.
Just sounds like another weak excuse to bitch about Vermont
Authored by: Junio on Thursday, March 12 2009 @ 04:22 PM GMT+4
I saw a family who had a green cone from the CVSWMD pilot program this fall, and they loved the thing.
I'm a renter, and all three households in my apartment use one large rubbermaid can with 1/4" holes drilled into it for aeration. It cost $15 and is totally portable.
To keep your compost processing at full intensity all winter, you need about a cubic yard in this climate, but my rubbermaid still works slowly now, and that's good enough.
Just sounds like another weak excuse to bitch about Vermont
Authored by: Maus Anon E on Thursday, March 12 2009 @ 05:37 PM GMT+4
I guess I must have missed the point, alright.
Are you really complaining about socialism and complaining that the government failed to make a commercial product available all in the same breath? The mind reels.
NORTH CLARENDON — The first wood pellet mill in the state is expected to be up and running next month in the Airport Business Park.
Katie Adams of Dorset, who started Cat Country radio, and partner Chris Brooks have launched Vermont Wood Pellet Co. in the same 12,000-square-foot building that housed a wood pallet manufacturing business.
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ISLAND POND (AP) — A Newport couple plan to turn a closed furniture factory in Island Pond into a wood pellet manufacturing plant, employing 30 workers.
Fred and Melanie Azur announced Tuesday that they have signed an agreement to buy the former Ethan Allen plant.
They say their company — Vermont Renewable Energy Company LLC — will produce 50,000 tons of wood pellets a year with capacity to produce 100,000 tons annually.
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It's the kind of thing the town could subsidize for landlords so that renters who have a back yard would have a place to put their food scraps.
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"Economic laws are not made by nature. They are made by human beings." -- FDR