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WELCOME TO OUR "GREEN" SITE!

The Interlocal Solid Waste Authority was established in 1991 after the Solid Waste Authority Act of 1991 and is comprised of Franklin, Bedford, Lincoln and Moore Counties and the City of Tullahoma as members, as well as cities within these counties who have adopted resolutions to participate in the transportation and disposal of solid waste and in its education program.
Get your FREE recycling bins!
  • Visit us to get your own recycling bins (green, yellow, blue)!

  • Carol Fulmer is waiting to help you. Call her: (931) 703-2435.

  • Click RECYCLING in the menu to learn about programs in your area.

Making Compost

Many organic materials including leaves, grass straw and non-woody plant trimmings can be composted. And kitchen wastes, such as vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and eggshells can be turned into a nutrient rich soil known as compost.

Sawdust may be added in moderate amounts if additional nitrogen is applied. About six cups of ammonia nitrate is required for 100 pounds of dry sawdust. Wood ashes act as a lime source, and if they’re added, you need only add one cup of ammonia nitrate per bushel of compost.

Ordinary black and white newspaper can be composted. However the nitrogen content will be low and this will slow down the rate of decomposition. If newspaper is composted, it should make up no more than 10 percent of the total weight of your compost pile.

There are some materials that should not be used to make compost, including human and pet feces. Meat, bones, grease, whole eggs and dairy products shouldn't be added either, because they attract rodents. As a general rule, if it was grown in the dirt or made from something grown in the dirt it will turn back to dirt, or compost.

The compost pile should be located close to where it’ll be used, but where it won’t interfere with yard activities or offend the neighbors. And don’t locate a compost pile near a well or a slope that drains to surface water, such as a stream or pond. The pile will do best if it’s located in partial sunlight and protected from drying winds. The more winds and sun the pile is exposed to, the more water it’ll need.

When making compost, organic wastes, such as leaves, grass and plant trimmings are put down in a layer eight to ten inches deep. Coarser materials will decompose faster if placed in the bottom layer. This layer should be watered until moist, not soggy. A nitrogen source should be placed on top of this layer. Use one of two inches of livestock manure or a nitrogen fertilizer, such as ammonia nitrate or ammonia sulfate at the rate of one third cup for every twenty-five square feet of surface area. If these nitrogen sources aren't available, one cup of 10-10-10 per 25 square feet of surface area will do. Never use a fertilizer that contains and herbicide or pesticide.

Each pile ideally should be five feet high. If only tree leaves are composted, layering may not be necessary. Leaves should be moistened if they are dry. And since dead leaves lack adequate nitrogen for rapid decomposition, add a high-nitrogen fertilizer to speed the breakdown. You’ll need to add about ½ cup of 10% nitrogen fertilizer for each 20 gallons of hand compressed leaves.

To prevent odors and hasten decomposition, turn the pile occasionally. Generally a well-managed compost pile will be ready in less than four months under warm conditions.

No matter what you do or don’t do to your compost pile in time Compost Happens!

    MISSION STATEMENT
    To provide efficient and cost effective disposal of solid waste and to educate the citizens within the region on waste reduction and recycling practices.

    ISWA holds the contract for waste disposal within the region. We also have a contract for the mulching of yard waste that members can utilize. The region also provides an education program for the schools and the general public on waste reduction and recycling.
    PDF

    Retaining Wall:
    Request for Proposal

Carol Fulmer

Carol Fulmer
Carol is the Regional Administrator of Education, Recycling & Waste Reduction and is available for presentations to organizations and groups, as well as for workshops, education booths, classroom programs, and for help organizing and setting up school and business recycling programs, drives and teacher in-service training.
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