82

Approximately 24% of America’s mu-nicipal solid waste is organic materialfrom food and yard waste. We set thisout to be hauled away by a heavy, pollut-ing garbage truck that travels long dis-tances; sometimes refuse is hauled hun-dreds of miles. The material is then

typically interred by a giant polluting earthmoving ma-chine to its eternal resting place, the landfill.

The energy used to produce nitrogen fertilizers con-sumed in the U.S. amounts to about 3% of the country'snatural gas consumption. These fertilizers also create alarge amount of water pollution, particularly in farmingregions where fertilizer run-off contaminates lakes, streams,and ground water. But these effects can also be found incities, where equivalent per acre fertilizer application forlandscaping is higher than on farms! Meanwhile, thecountry disposes of at least 39 million tons of compostablelandscape and food waste each year.

Wouldn’t it be simpler to compost it for use on farms,gardens and yards?

What is Compost?

Commercial and gardening compost techniques usenatural processes to accelerate the breakdown of organicmatter into a soil amendment. Microorganisms that are inthe soil or that are added to the compost material liberateheat, water, and carbon dioxide through aeration tech-niques to transform heterogeneous organic material into astable, homogenous, humus-like product. The material isrepeatedly “turned” by hand or machinery to provideoxygen for the bacteria to thrive and complete the break-down process. Sources for compostable material includemunicipal solid waste, yard and crop waste, and manures.

Compost, when added to soil, increases plant produc-tivity on farms, orchards, gardens, and lawns in a numberof ways. It has an organic content of between 30-70%, whiletypical unimproved soil in Texas has an organic content ofabout 1/2 of 1%. The organic content improves plantgrowth through soil aeration, water retention, and slow-release of balanced nutrients that fertilize plants. Thesebalanced nutrients include trace minerals not typicallyfound in commercial fertilizers.

Compost-improved soil is more resilient to erosion, andsince humus can hold twice its weight in water, it helpsinure plants from drought. The heat from the compostingprocess also kills many pathogens present in the originalmaterial. And it reduces the harmful effects of acid oralkaline soils on plants.

Earthworm Compost – Worms that feed on decayingorganic matter create an even more potent fertilizer thannormal compost. Unlike aerated compost, worms “do the

turning for you.” When temperature and moisture condi-tions are right, they frequently cycle soil and organicmatter through their system, which employs enzymes andsoil bacteria to digest it. Worms can consume up to a thirdof their weight each day in kitchen garbage or plant wastes.So under the right conditions, a few square feet of wormbins can process all the kitchen wastes of a family of 4.

In addition to the beneficial qualities of conventionalcompost, the deposited “worm castings” are 5 to 11 timesricher in plant-available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potas-sium than the soil the worms are fed on. Castings are alsohigh in trace minerals, soil bacteria and organic matter,though organics are reduced compared to conventionalcompost. Some studies have shown that pathogens arealso reduced or eliminated, but without the high heatrequired with normal compost processes.

Worm composting, or vermiculture, can also be doneindoors, with worm bins placed under kitchen sinks, inbasements, or utility rooms.

Compost Tea – Compost tea is “brewed” by steepingsolid conventional or worm compost in water while it isbeing aerated with mechanical techniques. Nutrients suchas molasses are added. The brewing process takes 1-3days. At the end of this time, the tea is not only enrichedwith nutrients, but plant-beneficial bacteria, fungi, andother microscopic life present at many times their originallevel. The tea is either sprayed on plants and their leaves,or used as a soil drench. Its useful life is only about 1 to 24hours unless reinvigorated with pure water or more aera-tion, so it must be applied quickly. And what is left of theoriginal compost is used for, well, compost.

While tea provides nutrients, the organisms in the com-pound consume other organisms that create plant disease,and occupy space around the plant, leaving no space fordisease organisms. Further, the nutrients are often withinthe beneficial organisms themselves, allowing them to stayin the soil longer than conventional fertilizers.

Compost tea should not be confused with liquid ma-nures or other steeped products that are unaerated. Whileother mixtures may contain important plant nutrients andare easy to distribute, they are not invigorated with thehost of beneficial organisms in compost tea. In fact, manysteeped products turn anerobic and smell horrible.

Where to Buy Compost in Bulk in Austin

Many places in Austin sell soil amendments by the bag.Some will also sell in bulk. The retailers listed here have themost extensive bulk supply and variety of natural soilamendments in the region.

Austin Landscape Supplies ................................. 255-251716047 FM 1325• Austin, TX 78728www.austinlandscapesupplies.comProducts sold by the yard. Discounts offered on full dump truckloads. Special blend of any mixture available.

COMPOSTING & RECYCLING

Recycling - Compost

83

Products:• Landscape Mix – 20% compost, 70% loam, 10% sand.• Grower’s Mix – 40% compost, 40% loam, 10% sand, 10% granite sand.• Premium Mix – 60% compost, cedar flake, mineral sands.• Dillo Dirt• Dillo Mix – 33 1/3% Dillo Dirt, 33 1/3% loam, 33 1/3% sand.• ALS Top Dressing – 50% compost and 50% sand.• Special Plant Mix – Compost, cedar flake, peat moss, pine bark, mineralsands.• ALS Compost – Horse & cattle manure, wood shavings, yard wastes.• Cow Compost – Cow manure.• Turkey Compost - Turkey manure, wood shavings, rice hulls.• Vegetative Compost - Animal & vegetable fat with wood bi-productscomposted and screened.• Mulch – fine cedar, pecan shell, pine bark, Texas Native ChipperMulch, Texas Native Mulch, Kiddie Mulch (playground approved).

Garden-Ville ............................................................219-531110624 N. FM 620 • Austin, TX 78726www.garden-ville.comSelf bag and bulk delivery.Products• Lawn & Garden Soil – topsoil, orange sand, manure compost,etc.• Manure compost• Rose Soil – ground pine bark, red sand, compost, top soil, etc.• Organic TOPmix – 60% native topsoil, 40% composted yard trimmings.• Mulch – Cedar, pecan, native mulch.

Geo Growers ........................................................... 892-272212002-B Highway 290 West • Austin, Texas 78737www.geogrowersinc.comSells product by the yard or truckload, or bag it yourself.Products:• Thunder Garden – compost, composted rice hulls, granite sand, andgypsum.• Thunder Dirt – compost & granite sand.• Geo Tree Mix – compost & decomposed granite sand.

• Double Thunder – Thunder Garden soil with organic turkey manurecompost.• Turf Topper – 50% masonry sand, 50% dairy cow compost.• Cow Manure Compost – made from lactating cow.• Turkey Manure Compost• Rice Hull Compost• Mulch – shredded hardwood, cedar, cedar chips.

J-V Dirt + Loam ....................................................... 927-19773600 N. FM 973 • Austin, TX 78725By the truckload.Products:• Basic Turf Mix – 20% Dillo Dirt, 80% sandy loam.• Basic Planters Mix – 35% Dillo Dirt, 65% sandy loam.• Four-way Backfill – 50% Dillo Dirt, 50% sandy loam.• JV Topdressing – 60% Dillo Dirt, 40% sandy loam.• Erosion Control Compost – 50% Dillo Dirt, 50% mulch.• Native Mulch

The Natural Gardener ............................................ 288-61138648 Old Bee Cave Road • Austin, Texas 78735www.naturalgardeneraustin.comBag your own soil. Save your empty bag and you will not becharged for a new bag next time you fill it. Delivery 6 days a week.Products:• Revitalizer™ Compost – humus and manure composts.• Manure Compost – cow manure with bedding material & vegetablewaste.• Turkey Compost – turkey droppings, bedding materials & feathers.• Hill Country Garden Soil – composted topsoil, composted rice hull,decomposed granite.• Rose Soil – topsoil with cow manure and pine humus.• Topsoil – recycled from construction sites reusing soil that buildersremove from the land and from the root balls of trees.• Sylvan Formula Mulch – composts, hardwood mulch, basalt, green-sand, molasses, cornmeal and inoculated with aerobic compost tea.• Mulch – oak, cedar,and other hardwoods from trimming/clearingprojects.

We make soils with all natural and certified

organic materials.

• Sustainable

• Durable

• Non-shrinking

• Tree Health Solutions

We're the best.

Same day delivery - 892-2722

www.geogrowersinc.com

Geo Growers

Since 1995

84Recycling - Compost

Earthworm Tea?

An interestingtwist on compostingis to raise worms in away that allows wa-ter to dissolve theircastings for easy dis-tribution.

Two bins handlethe compost for our

family of 4. I used inexpensive, free standing laundrysinks (21” per side and 12” deep) that I purchased at abuilding supply center for $14 each. I placed a screen overthe drain hole and covered it with a few 2-3” diameterrocks. I spread 1-2” of small pea gravel over the bottom,mounding it over the rocks, and topped that with a layerof sand 4” thick. The rocks and gravel allow drainage andprevent the sand from pouring out of the sink.

The worm bedding and worms go on top of the sand;hardwood mulch, moistened and mixed with a shovelfulof garden soil, works well. Leave an inch or so at the topto allow room for scraps to be added. Everything iscovered with an old towel or rug to prevent fruit flies, andtopped with a hinged screen lid. The lid is constructed ofa double frame of rot resistant cedar sandwiching 3 layersof screening: aluminum window screen, 1/4” mesh hard-ware cloth, and a second layer of window screen. The 2layers of window screen keep anything from gettingtrapped between hardware cloth and screen; the hard-ware cloth adds strength. I found a local bait shop thatcarried the red wigglers I was looking for, and startedslowly, with only 1 bin and 3 pint-sized containers.

Composting: To compost, I lift the towel, scratch somemulch to one side with a gardening hand fork, addkitchen scraps collected over several days, and scratch themulch back over the scraps. If I’m not ready to usecompost tea, I add enough water to moisten the new food.

Harvesting: I was surprised to find that I don’t reallyhave to harvest castings. Because the high water volumedissolves and carries away so much of the castings, I justadd mulch when the level of the bin starts to drop. WhenI’m ready to feed plants, I pour water over the surface ofthe bins and collect it in 5 gallon buckets placed below thesinks. I generally do this once a week, cycling through myplants so they are each fed every 2 to 4 weeks. My plantshave thrived. In fact, we recently built a new house, andI grew over 300 plants from seed to 1 and 5 gallon pots,fertilizing with nothing but this compost tea. Grasses,perennials, shrubs and trees all responded equally well.

Temperature: My outdoors bins have been exposed totemperatures ranging from 23°-110°F. In winter, I insu-lated them with a layer of straw. In the brutal Texassummer heat, take care to provide at least afternoonshade, and keep the bins moist.

Diet: The worms eat all manner of fruits, vegetables,table scraps, eggshells, coffee and filters, and tea bags.Avoid large amounts of citrus rinds, as these can be toxicto them. An occasional bite of meat, fish or cheese has alsogone in, but we try to avoid them since we use thecompost tea on vegetable crops. The worms will eatalmost any organic matter, however, so if you only usethe tea on ornamentals, meat and dairy products areokay. Worms that are not fed can still survive for months.

Moisture: Placing bins under a roof overhang affordsthe best control for rain. During dry spells, the beddingand sand retain moisture, so if I need to leave town for acouple of weeks, the worms just go deeper.

Worms benefit my family in so many ways, and askonly for garbage in return.

This article was contributed by Cathy Ramsey to share herpositive experiences. Neither she nor the Directory assumeliability if results are not duplicated or if health problems arise.For more information, contact her at caramsey@austin.rr.com.

Texas Organic Products (TOP) ............................. 421-13007500 FM 1327 • Austin, TX 78747www.texasdisposal.com/TOPProductInfoPricing.htmDeliver or pickup by truckload.Products:• Lawn & Garden Soil.• Organic TOPmix – 60% native topsoil, 40% composted yard trimmings.• TOP Compost – composted yard trimmings, wood chips & vegetativematerial.• Container Mix – composted pecan hulls, TOP Compost, and Poteetorange sand.• Native Mulch.

Who Sells Compost Tea?

The following businesses retail compost tea. Since theproduct is often brewed onsite and has a very limited lifeonce aeration has stopped, it is advisable to call first to findout the schedule of availability.

Bastrop Gardens 316 Old Hwy. 71 303-5672Geogrowers 12002-B Hwy. 290 West 288-4405The Great Outdoors 2730 S. Congress 448-2992Green ‘N Growing 601 W. Pecan, Pflugerville 251-3262Kimas Tejas Nursery 962 State Hwy. 71E, Bastrop 303-4769The Natural Gardener 8648 Old Bee Caves Road 288-6113Plantescape Gardens 3507 S. 1st Street 444-0013Sledd Nursery 1211 West Lynn 478-9977Whittlesey Landscape 3219 S. IH 35 989-7625Wyatt’s Landscape 6302 W. Hwy. 290 892-5197

Compost Resources

Yardwise: A Green Guide to Yard CareTexas Commission on Environmental QualityE-mail educate@tceq.state.tx.us to get a free copy, or download at:www.tceq.state.tx.us/comm_exec/forms_pubs/pubs/gi/gi-028_1514238.pdfA good primer on environmental lawncare, including composting,earthworms, grasscycling, water conservation, and Integrated PestManagement

85

City of AustinHousehold Hazardous Waste Programs2514 Business Center Drive974-4343 • www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/hhw.htm

Residential

Available To: Residents of Austin and Travis CountyTime: 12-7 PM, Tuesdays & WednesdaysMaterials Accepted: Anything that is flammable,

corrosive, toxic, poisonous, reactive, or explosive ishazardous and should not be put in your trash. Look forwords like “Caution,” “Warning,” or “Danger” on thelabel.

Latex paint, oil-based paint, furniture strippers, paintthinners, fertilizers, pesticides, pool chemicals, herbi-cides, insecticides, fungicides, bleach or products con-taining bleach, ammonia or ammonia-based products,acids, all-purpose cleaners, furniture polish, spot re-movers, scouring powder, oven cleaners, bathroomcleaners, bug spray, motor oil, oil filters, gasoline, anti-freeze, lubricants, car batteries, brake fluid, transmis-sion fluid, car wax, metal polish, appliance batteries,thermometers, fluorescent lights, empty oil-based paintand solvent containers.

Materials Refused: Ammunition, explosives, radio-active and biological waste, needles (sharps), cookingoil, appliances.

Quantity: 30 gallons per household or less is free;quantities after this are charged for. Please do not bringcontainers larger than 5 gallons.

Chemicals Reuse “Store”

Every week items are brought to the HouseholdHazardous Waste Facility that are new or slightly used.Instead of incinerating these products at great expense,the facility will give them to anyone who wants them.

Available To: General publicTime: 12-7 PM, Tuesdays & WednesdaysProducts: Paint, solvents, automotive fluids, pesti-

cides, fertilizers, cleaning products

Master Gardener ProgramTravis County Extension Service854-9600 • www.tcmastergardener.orgThe program offers free advice, publication reprints, and demonstrationprojects to the general public. It provides information on: composting;lawns; ornamental plants; insect, disease, and weed management; soilsand plant nutrition; vegetable gardening; home fruit production; gar-den flowers; and water conservation. Hours are 9-5, weekdays.

Worm Woman.com(269) 327-0108 • www.wormwoman.comBooks, articles, videos, worm bins, composting equipment, classroomresources. Site formerly managed by Mary Appelhof, author of classicprimer “Worms Eat My Garbage.”

Worm Digest(216) 531-5374 • www.wormdigest.orgWeb site dedicated to vermiculture. Online articles and for-sale publi-cations available.

Rabbit Hill Farm(903) 872-4289 • www.aogc.org/pages/rhf/288 SW CR 0020Corsicana TX 75110Source of composting worms for indoor bins.

Notes on Compost TeasNational Center for Appropriate Technologyhttp://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/compost-tea-notes.htmlCompost tea basics, publications, and equipment manufacturers

Soil Food Web(541) 752-5066 • www.soilfoodweb.comProfessional services surrounding compost tea and soil health, includ-ing soil surveys and consultation.

Recycling - Hazardous Materials

105 West Riverside, Suite 230Austin, TX 78704

391-0617www.keepaustinbeautiful.org

From IH-35 SouthboundRight on 10th or 8th to Red

River. Turn on 9th, then rightinto EA, the last building on

the right.Ecology Action of Texas, Inc.707 E. 9th St., Austin, 78701

(512) 322-0000www.ecology-action.org

86

87

88

Austin has a large numberof drop-off centers listed be-low that allow oil to be col-lected and reused instead ofcontaminating water or buriedin landfills. These are identi-fied by the logo (left), either ona sign outside a building or asticker on a door or window.Call the City of Austin’s SolidWaste Services Department at494-9400 for more information.Below are some rules and ad-vice about recycling oil.

1. Drop off oil only during regular business hours. In thepast, vandals have taken oil dropped off by well-meaningpeople and dumped it on collection center grounds.

2. Recycle no more than five (5) gallons of oil at one time.

Central78703 Casis Village Texaco 2701 Exposition 478-1905 oil, filters, batteries, tires, antifreeze78705 Jiffy Lube 3401 N. Lamar Blvd. 452-5773 oil, filters78722 O’Reilly Auto Parts 3900 N. I H 35 453-4456 oil, filters, batteries78751 Jiffy Lube 3809 Guadalupe 451-3708 oil, filters, antifreeze

East78702 Advance Auto Parts 2730 E. 7th Street 478-7284 oil, batteries78702 Autozone 2735 E. 7th Street 477-3547 oil, batteries78702 Fleet Maintenance of Texas 4812 E. 7th Street 385-5817 oil, filters, batteries, tires78702 Texas Enterprises, Inc. 5005 E. 7th Street 385-2167 oil78723 Advance Auto Parts 5339 N. IH 35 459-8731 oil, filters, batteries78723 Autozone 6500 Springdale 928-1183 oil, batteries78723 O’Reilly Auto Parts 7112 Ed Bluestein 928-8171 oil, filters, batteries78724 Travis County 9301 Johnny Morris Rd. 854-9114 oil

Northwest78660 Autozone 2112 Pecan St. W. 252-3233 oil, batteries78727 Jiffy Lube 2516 W. Parmer Lane 310-7073 oil, filters78727 Brake Specialists Inc. 1607 W. Parmer Lane 834-0604 oil, filters, antifreeze78750 Anderson Mill M.U.D. 10502 Mellow MDW 331-1981 oil78750 Autozone 13450 Research Blvd. 335-3761 oil, batteries78750 Jiffy Lube 12212 RR 620 N. 250-5150 oil, filters, antifreeze78759 Jiffy Lube 12621 Research Blvd. 250-1515 oil, filters78759 Jiffy Lube 3704 Spicewood Spr. Rd. 345-1274 oil, filters, antifreeze

North78613 Jiffy Lube 400 N. Bell Blvd. 331-0685 oil, filters78753 Shell Rapid Lube 506 E. Rundberg 339-3790 oil, filters, batteries, tires, antifreeze78753 Advance Auto Parts 9316 N. Lamar Blvd. 837-9991 oil, batteries78753 Autozone 9620 N. Lamar Blvd. 835-4748 oil, batteries78753 Jiffy Lube 10300 N. Lamar Blvd. 836-3344 oil, filters, antifreeze78753 Jiffy Lube 10111-B N. Lamar Blvd. 835-5823 oil, filters, antifreeze78753 O’Reilly Auto Parts 10010 N. Lamar Blvd. 837-0161 oil, filters, batteries78753 Van’s Auto Parts Ltd. 12410 N. Lamar Blvd. 834-0404 oil, filters, batteries78753 Wal-Mart 12900 N. IH 35 837-0886 oil, filters, batteries, tires78753 Wal-Mart 1030 Norwood Park 339-0906 oil, filters, batteries78757 Advance Auto Parts 2209 Anderson 451-0151 oil, batteries78757 Autozone 6313 Burnet Rd. 452-9394 oil, batteries78757 Broz Automotive 7430 Burnet Rd. 453-2221 oil, filters, batteries, tires

3. Store oil in a sealed, leak-proof container. The best isa reusable combination drain pan/storage container.

4. Do not mix oil with automotive liquids, other liquidsor debris. This contamination makes it hazardous and notrecyclable.

5. These collection centers are for individuals only. Busi-nesses should see the Yellow Pages for disposal options.

6. Be considerate. These businesses are offering theirservices voluntarily in order to protect our environment.

7. Fill in the Do-It-Yourselfer log sheet with the date,your name, address and quantity of oil recycled.

8. Used oil recycling is free at these centers, but pleasecall ahead to be sure the facility is currently accepting it.Not all centers will take filters, batteries, antifreeze, and tires,and there may be a charge involved for them.

Recycling - Used Oil

USED OIL COLLECTION CENTERS

89

78757 Gordon Automotive 8526 Burnet Rd. 458-4245 oil, filters78757 Jiffy Lube 8509 Burnet Rd. 454-5823 oil, filters78757 Jiffy Lube 8725 Burnet Rd. 454-5823 oil, filters78757 Jiffy Lube 2711 W. Anderson Ln. 451-9709 oil, filters, antifreeze78757 National Transmission Center 2511 Buell Avenue 451-5080 oil, filters78758 Brake Specialists Inc. 8405 Research Blvd. 339-4199 oil, filters, batteries, antifreeze78758 Charles Maund Olds-Cadillac 8400 Research Blvd. 458-8959 oil, filters78758 Jiffy Lube 1649 Ohlen Rd. 832-8384 oil, filters78758 O’Reilly Auto Parts 8339 Research Blvd. 491-0021 oil, batteries78758 Van’s Auto Parts Ltd. 8701 Research Blvd. 834-0200 oil, filters, batteries

South78704 Autozone 2602 S. Congress 447-7078 oil, batteries78704 Jiffy Lube 1401 S. Lamar Blvd. 444-5823 oil, filters78704 Jiffy Lube 1705 W. Ben White 442-0909 oil78704 O’Reilly Auto Parts 2409 S. Congress 416-0802 oil, filters, batteries78704 Lube Pit Stop 2223 S. Lamar Blvd. 440-1892 oil, filters, batteries78704 Brake Specialists Inc. 1303 S. Lamar Blvd. 447-7992 oil, filters78704 Van’s Auto Parts Ltd. 2235 S. Lamar Blvd. 440-8848 oil, filters, batteries78745 Advance Auto Parts 600 E. William Cannon 326-1166 oil, batteries78745 Autozone 730 W. Stassney 447-3966 oil, batteries78745 Jiffy Lube 1111 W. William Cannon 442-5823 oil, filters, antifreeze78745 Jiffy Lube 8602 Brodie Ln. 280-5823 oil, filters, antifreeze78745 M C River City Auto, Inc. 4201 S. Congress 441-1334 oil, filters, antifreeze78745 Brake Specialists Inc. 1417 W. William Cannon 440-8878 oil, filters, antifreeze78748 Shell Rapid Lube 9706 Bilbrook Place 292-6140 oil, filters, batteries78748 Autozone 9509 Manchaca Rd. 291-9156 oil, batteries78748 Jiffy Lube 9919 Manchaca Rd. 292-9177 oil78748 O’Reilly Auto Parts 2110 Slaughter Ln., #170 280-5201 oil, filters78748 Van’s Auto Parts Ltd. 10010 Manchaca Rd. 282-9333 oil, filters, batteries

Southwest78735 Lube Pit Stop 6410 Hwy. 290 West 892-7426 oil, filters, batteries, tires, antifreeze78735 Oak Hill Automotive 6861 Hwy. 290 West 288-3366 oil, filters, batteries, tires, antifreeze78735 Wal-Mart 5017 Hwy. 290 West 892-1779 oil, filters, batteries, tires78736 Hohmann’s Automotive 8917 Circle Dr. 288-1298 oil, filters, batteries, antifreeze78746 Jiffy Lube 2826 Bee Caves Road 327-5736 oil, filters

Southeast78741 Don A. Stewart, Inc. 7110 E. Ben White 385-0510 oil, filters78741 Jiffy Lube 1806 E. Riverside Dr. 445-2777 oil, filters, antifreeze78741 O’Reilly Auto Parts 2505 E. Riverside Dr. 442-2729 oil78741 Lube Pit Stop 1951 E. Oltorf 444-8563 oil, filters78744 Autozone 1941 E. William Cannon 441-0712 oil, batteries78744 Tex-Con Oil Company 4906 Burleson Rd. 444-1941 oil78744 Sam’s Club 5107 S. IH 35 444-0363 oil, batteries78744 Wal-Mart 5015 S. IH 35 443-7877 oil, filters, batteries, tires

Recycling - Used Oil

TRI Recycling, Inc.www.trirecycling.com

(512) 329-0172

Providing recyclingservices for office buildingsand multifamily properties

since 1991

Door-to-door Recycling for Multifamily Properties • Bulky Item SpecialCollection • Confidential Document Destruction