August 3, 2015

Dear compost enthusiasts,

The City wants to update you on a few items for the remaining 9 months of the free curbside compost pilot collection program. As you may be aware, most curbside communities are private-pay (with participating households paying about $80-$100 annually).

 Schedule

In order to meet the City's budget, the pick-up will go to every other week starting in October 7, 2015.  Below is a table outlining the new pick-up schedule. If you have additional compost, you can put in a paper bag and clearly mark it COMPOST and place next to your green cart.

Compost will be picked up the following days (W and Th only)

Bags/liners

In order for the contractor to easily empty the carts, we must ask that everyone start using some type of bags. Paper bags are fine; lining the cart with newspaper is fine; or you can purchase compostable bags (certified compostable by the BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) meeting ASTM D6400 standards- such as BioBags, Bag to Nature, Veg ware and Natur-Bag) at Crosby's, Target and Whole Foods.

Drivers

Conor and Jeff have both been driving the pilot since the beginning. They are currently training another Black Earth Compost partner Justin to also do the route.

After April 15, 2016

Funding for the compost program will end on April 15, 2016. In early 2016, we will notify you how you can continue with the program by paying Black Earth Compost directly. This fee will be determined by Black Earth Compost in early 2016.

Questions/further information

If you have any questions, please e-mail jrose@salem.com or call 978-619-5679. If you need compost bags or your pick up is missed, call Conor at Black Earth Compost, 978-290-4610.

Sincerely,

Julie Rose

978-619-5679

jrose@salem.com