Erie County, partners offering rain barrels & compost bins

Homeowners encouraged to reduce runoff, recycle nutrients into the soil

Erie County, in partnership with the City of Buffalo, the Town of Wheatfield, and the Western New York Stormwater Coalition, is once again offering rain barrels and compost bins to encourage households to reduce their environmental footprint through water conservation and reducing fertilizer use.

Rain barrels reduce stormwater runoff – water produced in heavy rainfalls that does not soak in to the ground and can transport many pollutants to local waterways. By using harvested rainwater for watering lawns, gardens and potted plants, rain barrels conserve water. As an added bonus, the natural nutrients in rainwater make it better for plants than tap water, which has chlorine and fluoride in it. With a rain barrel, gardeners can also minimize or eliminate their use of chemical fertilizers.

Home-composting is a simpler way to restore nutrients to soil. The addition of compost enriches soil, stimulates plant growth, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. Composting yard trimmings and food scraps has the added benefit of keeping those wastes out of local landfills.

For additional details, visit www.eriecompostersale.ecwid.com. Quantities are limited. Deadline to order is May 3.

For more information on the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, visit http://www2.erie.gov/environment/; on the WNY Stormwater Coalition, click here.