Erie County, in partnership with the City of Buffalo and the WNY Stormwater Coalition, is offering rain barrels and compost bins to encourage households to reduce their environmental footprint through water conservation and reduced fertilizer use.

Rain barrels reduce stormwater runoff, water produced in heavy rainfalls that does not soak in to the ground and can transport pollutants to our local waterways. By using harvested rainwater for watering lawns, watering gardens and potted plants, and for washing cars, rain barrels conserve water. The natural nutrients in rain water make it far better for gardening 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.

Composting yard trimmings and food waste is a simple way to recycle nutrients and return them to the soil.  The addition of compost enriches soil and will stimulate plant growth, thereby reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.  Composting has the added benefit of reducing the amount of solid waste produced by homeowners, which would otherwise go to a landfill.

For details on how to purchase a rain barrel or composting bin visit: www.eriecompostersale.ecwid.com .   Quantities are limited. Deadline to order is May 25, 2018 and orders will be available for pickup on Thursday June 7, 2018.

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 

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