‘Compost Happens’ gains more popularity in Pocatello

“Compost Happens” is growing popularity in Pocatello. The program collects yard waste, like grass, leafs and weeds. The City of Pocatello Sanitation Department will be expanding the program from 700 participants to a 1,000 this year.

It only costs an extra $5 for the brown bin. The bins will be picked up on a weekly basis and brought to the Bannock County Landfill.

“We continue see more Pocatello residents taking advantage of ecofriendly options for waste disposal,” said Debbie Brady, Recycling Coordinator. “Since beginning in 2013 with 500 autocarts, we’ve seen demand grow every year.”

The “Compost Happens” programs helps prevent unnecessary items from ending up in the landfill.

For example, the sanitation department said they were able to keep 370.67 tons of yard waste out of the Bannock County Landfill last year. This helps prevent the landfill from filling up faster than it has to.

Once the material is at the designated compost pile at the landfill, it is mixed with other products like hay. Eventually the weeds and grass turn into a rich soil, good for garden fertilizer. People can buy the fertilizer from the land fill starting in April for $35.

An employee at the Bannock County Landfill said they also plan on using the compost, but not for gardening. The garbage in the landfill must be regularly covered up with dirt, but instead of digging up soil, they plan on putting the compost over the garbage instead.

If you live in Pocatello and would like to sign up for the “Compost Happens” program, click here.