Welcome to the Spring 2023 Essex County Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Sale!

We're excited to offer our Spring 2023 Community Compost Bin and Rain Barrel Sale. Backyard Composting is an excellent way to reduce trash going to landfills and allows you to make your own compost! Rain Barrels reduce water costs, keep our water clean, and provides a natural source of water for plants and gardens all while reducing that amount of pollutants that enter our storm drains.

Please explore our site to see what is being offered at this community sale. Because we are purchasing in bulk, we are able to offer compost bins, rain barrels, and accessories at reduced prices.

Ordering deadline date: Friday, May 19th 

Orders must be picked up on May 21st at one of two convenient locations:

  • 9:00am-11:00am at Essex County Environmental Center, Garibaldi Hall 621A Eagle Rock Avenue Roseland, NJ 07068.

  • 12:30pm-2:00pm at Maplewood Town Hall (rear parking lot)

    574 Valley Street, Maplewood, New Jersey 07040
     
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Composting in the news

Celebrating 30 Years

View Press Release

This program is sponsored by Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., Essex County Executive, The Board of County Commissioners, the Essex County Environmental Commission and the Essex County Environmental Center.

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Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.

Why Compost?

Organic waste comprises 30 percent of the household trash going into landfills and incinerators, where it has no chance to decompose and offers very little BTU value. Homeowners who compost not only extend the life of our landfills and reduce the cost of collecting household garbage, but also recycle the nutrients in organic waste to create a valuable soil amendment for their gardens.

We want to encourage backyard composting so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of improving or maintaining high-quality soil, growing healthy plants, reducing the use of fertilizer and pesticides, improving water quality, and protecting the environment. By adding compost you can conserve water and help improve soil to help hold water in the root zone.

Want to learn more? Check out this cool video:

Why Use a Rain Barrel?

Why Compost

There are several environmental benefits associated with rain barrels. Rain barrels reduce storm water runoff, water that does not soak into the ground and can transport many pollutants to our local waterways as well as cause erosion. By collecting rainwater for watering lawns, gardens, and potted plants and for washing off patio furniture and tools, rain barrels conserve water. From a gardening perspective, the natural nutrients in rain water make it far better than city tap water, which contains chlorine and fluoride. With a rain barrel, gardeners can minimize or eliminate their use of chemical fertilizers.

Rain barrel water should not be used to drink or bathe. And rain barrels should be emptied and stored throughout the winter months.