Staff reports



Just in time for the gardening season, the City of Valdosta’s Public Works Department is opening its composting facility to the public beginning Monday.

In October 2002, the Public Works Department entered into a partnership with Valdosta State Prison to establish a composting site. The city was awarded a total of $50,000 in grant funds from the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority and the Georgia Department of Corrections to establish the facility. The facility combines food scraps from the prison with yard debris collected by the sanitation department to create compost. After months of stock piling and “cooking” the compost, the site is now open to the public.

“The compost is three parts yard debris and one part food scraps, and once it is cooked for approximately six weeks it makes a very rich compost which is completely organic and safe to use on any garden or flower bed,” said Pete Pyrzenski, Public Works director. “This program has helped reduce the waste in our inert landfill by more than 60 percent.”

Citizens may visit the compost site located on Val Tech Road across from Valdosta State Prison to receive free compost or mulch. The mulch is made form yard debris only and can be used as ground cover with or without the compost. Facility hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. If demand necessitates, the site will open every third Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Assistance will be available on site for loading large loads of compost or mulch.

The compost is free and can be picked up by the bucket full or truck load. For information, call 259-3599. Commercial landscapers must contact the Public Works Department before reporting to the composting site.