The last day of the 2012 regular season for the Valparaiso compost site, 2150 W. Lincolnway, and the Boone Grove compost site, 546 South 400 West, is Saturday, Dec. 1.

Regular season hours for the Valpo site are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Regular hours for the Boone Grove site are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

In 2013, the Valparaiso site, owned and operated by the City of Valparaiso with assistance from the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County, will begin Saturday off-season hours 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Jan. 5, allowing Porter County residents to recycle their once live Christmas trees, wreaths and other organic holiday waste.

The Saturday off-season hours will continue through April 2013, when both compost sites will open for the season. The Boone Grove site, owned and operated by the district, will remain closed after Dec. 1 until the regular season begins in April.

Both sites accept organic yard waste, leaves, garden and household plants, brush, limbs, logs and firewood. Porter County residents are encouraged to bring their live fall decorations, such as pumpkins, gourds, corn and mums, to recycle at the sites. Other materials accepted at these sites for recycling include: household batteries, electronics (computers, televisions, anything with a cord), fluorescent light bulbs (tubes and CFLs), toner cartridges, old media (CDs, video cassettes, etc.), and cell phones and cell phone accessories.

Residents should remove plastic bags and other such containers upon dropping off materials. Wood or lumber that has been treated is not accepted at either site. Grass is not accepted at the Valpo site.

For more information on the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County, visit www.ItMeansTheWorld.org

or call 219-465-3694.

Posted 11/27/2012