The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC), a not-for-profit intergovernmental agency compromised of 23 municipalities in Illinois, built a composting demonstration system at its Glenview Transfer Station where several types of backyard bins are on display and used for hands-on workshops. This summer, SWANCC is sponsoring three workshops for residents that live in a SWANCC member community to learn the science behind mixing yard waste, such as leaves, grass and small twigs, with acceptable food scraps to make a nutrient-rich soil amendment for lawns, gardens, flowers, and plants.  Master Composter and Gardener, Lynn Bement, will conduct the workshops for SWANCC on the following dates:

• Wednesday, June 26, 2013
  6:15 pm to 7:15 pm
• Thursday, July 18, 2013
  10:00 am to 11:00 am
• Thursday, August 15, 2013
  6:15 pm to 7:15 pm

There is no charge to attend a Composting Workshop, but registration is required and space is limited. Again, residents must live in one of SWANCC's member communities. To register and for more details, contact Mary Allen, SWANCC Recycling and Education Director, at mary@swancc.org or (847) 724-9205, extension 204.

 

Additionally, the Agency developed an Eco-Landscaping Guide to highlight ways to care for outdoor spaces, turfs, fields, and gardens without using synthetic chemicals.  It is available in a PDF file on the Agency's website.

Resources Available For Loan

• SWANCC "Composting at Home" video
• "Dirt! The Movie", 80-minute DVD
• "Organic Lawn Care Manual"
• "Soil Biology Primer"
• "Grandma's Bag of Tricks - Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars" - 130 Earth-friendly activities
• "How to Grow a School Garden, a Complete Guide for Parents and Teachers"
• "The Vegetable Gardener's Book of Building Projects"

Additional resources are posted at swancc.org.

Eco-Landscaping Guide
Additionally, the Agency developed an Eco-Landscaping Guide to highlight ways to care for outdoor spaces, turfs, fields, and gardens without using synthetic chemicals available at swancc.org.