Free "Composting 101" Workshop August 17

Experts from San Mateo County will explain how to turn your food scraps, leaves and plant cuttings into nutrient-rich compost at a free workshop on Wednesday, August 17, from to 8:30 p.m. in the Lane Room at the Burlingame Public Library, 480 Primrose Rose, Burlingame. You’ll even get to see live worms munching away in a see-through demonstration bin.

Experts from San Mateo County’s Office of Sustainability will invite those attending the “Composting 101” class to help set up a composting station, while explaining the benefits of adding compost to your garden soil. Compost helps retain moisture, suppresses weeds, prevents soil erosion, and loosens clay and compacted soils, thus promoting better drainage.

“Households that have composting bins reduce their waste by almost 30 percent, cut pesticide use, save water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by keeping methane-producing plant materials out of landfills and by eliminating carbon dioxide emitted by vehicles hauling compostable material to landfills,” said Joe La Mariana, Section Manager of Solid Waste and Environmental Services for the county’s Office of Sustainability.

Admission is free and all attendees will be invited to participate in a free raffle. Those who don’t drive alone to the event will be eligible for an additional free drawing. This program is presented by the Citizens Environmental Council of Burlingame (CEC). To learn more about CEC, visit http://cecburlingame.org.