A trip to the dump to celebrate Arbor Day?
Free compost and free programs make it worth the trip, By Glynnis Jones LAFAYETTE After planting a tree or bush for Arbor Day a visit to the Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority (SCMUA) may be in order to stock up on compost and mulch. Residents can load it themselves for free or someone there will load it; either way it’s $18 a yard. That’s enough to fill up the back of a small pick-up truck. The compost is made up of leaves, grass and small brush, and has gone through six months to two years of decomposition and is ready for use. Originating from leaves dropped off at the facility, it is spread into long rows, called windrows, to begin the compost process. A tractor-like machine called a windrow turner turns and grinds the leaves, allowing the material to aerate. With only the sun and rain to break it down, the soil amendment becomes ready for garden use after six months. Reenee Casapulla, recycling and marketing coordinator, calls the finished product “black gold.” Casapulla and Jim Sparnon, the superintendent of solid waste at SCMUA, take care and great pride in their jobs. “Composting is an integral part of the solid waste system,” says Sparnon. “What we do here is the management of organic waste which can’t go into the landfill.” And when Casapulla speaks about composting and recycling, she does so with passion. “This is my dream job I love it!” One thing they both agree on is that there is plenty of compost material and mulch for county residents to help their gardens and landscapes. Sometimes referred to as the county landfill or dump SCMUA is much more than that. In addition to free compost and mulch for individual residents, they hold e-waste recycling and household hazardous waste collection events, where residents can safely and properly dispose of waste products, and they offer paper shredding services for a nominal fee. The latest effort they have initiated is the Boat Shrink Wrap Plus Program, aiming to reduce the amount of non-biodegradable material in the waste system. On Friday, April 30, they are hosting a free food waste forum as part of their educational series. This will explain how food waste can be processed, discuss facilities being developed around the state and options available for residents looking to process their own waste on site. For more information on all recycling events and general information about the facility, call 973-579-6998 or go to www.SCMUA.org.
About the day
Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April. This year it falls on April 30 but you won’t be late if you celebrate it over the weekend.
The holiday, originated in Nebraska by J. Sterling Morton in 1872, is all about trees planting them, caring for them, protecting them.
Why celebrate? Some of the benefits go farther than the beauty of trees that can add value to your home. The shade they provide can help cool down your home in the summer, reducing the need to frequently use an air conditioner, and, they can break cold winds to lower heating costs in the winter. On a larger scale, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that “one acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen.” And that is good for everyone.
Whether you find a community event to take part in, or, you buy a sapling from your local garden center, Arbor Day can be fun and educational for individuals and families alike.
Ways to celebrate this weekend:
Plant a tree in your own yard.
Participate in a community tree planting event.
Make a donation to an “arbor-friendly” organization (try www.arborday.org or www.newjerseytreefoundation.org).
Design a drawing or painting or write a poem about trees.
Volunteer with a local tree planting organization or group.
Attend a class or seminar on tree and plant care.
Take a guided hike in Kittatinny Valley State Park
Identify trees in your yard or neighborhood.
Read a book about trees.
Be more conscious about recycling paper products and buying products made from recycled paper