Starting May 1, Wake County’s Solid Waste division, in partnership with Brandbuilders, will be hosting its annual, monthlong compost bin sale. Anyone can purchase an Earth Machine for just $60, 50% off the normal retail price. Orders will be accepted online through May 31. Each order will include a 20-page handbook explaining composting best practices.
“This annual sale has multiple benefits beyond saving people money on a compost bin,” said Wake County Commissioner Susan Evans. "Composting provides long-term value for Wake County's residents and our environment."
Benefits of composting include:
- Provides free food for plants, trees and lawns
- Reduces waste hauled to the landfill
- Helps soil retain moisture and conserves water
- Reduces soil erosion and compaction
- Makes soil easier to dig
- Improves plant health
- Increases crop yields
- Reduces dependence on chemical fertilizers/herbicides
- Lowers your carbon footprint
- Reduces pollution from landfills
- Teaches us about the nutrient cycle
Bins will be available for pickup starting mid-June. Customers don’t need to be Wake County residents to place an order but must be prepared to pick up their compost bin because delivery is not available. Pick-ups can be arranged Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the North Wake Solid Waste Management facilities located at 9025 Deponie Drive in Raleigh.
In addition to the handbook that comes with each Earth Machine, Wake County has videos demonstrating how to assemble your Earth Machine and the fundamentals of composting at home. The bins are about three feet tall and can hold up to 80 gallons. We also offer an online digital guide to backyard composting.
About 34% of the average household garbage from Wake County residences is made up of food and yard waste that can be composted instead of being sent to the South Wake Landfill, where it produces pollution. The average composter can divert about 500 pounds of organic waste from the landfill annually.
For people looking for a lively, interactive event for all ages centered around climate action, food recovery and compost education, the Wake County Cooperative Extension will be hosting a free Compost Awareness Week pop-up event at Moore Square on Sunday, May 3 from 1–4 p.m. Attendees will discover how simple, everyday choices can help reduce food waste and turn discarded scraps into valuable resources for the community. Prize giveaways, a live cooking demonstration and a vermicomposting demonstration will be taking place. Tickets can be found on the Eventbrite page. For more information, please contact Ella Howie at ella.howie@wake.gov.
About Wake County Solid Waste Management
The Wake County Solid Waste Management Division manages 19 waste facilities including a landfill, waste transfer station, residential waste and recycling convenience centers, household hazardous waste and multi-material recycling drop-off facilities. To learn more, visit wake.gov/recycling.
