The City of Knoxville Solid Waste Office is partnering with the Knox County Solid Waste Office in sponsoring a Backyard Compost Bin and Rain Barrel sale on Saturday, October 3, that will allow residents to buy the environmentally-friendly devices for less than half of their usual retail prices. 

The one-day event is set for 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the West Town Mall parking lot near the Morrell Road entrance. This is a first-come, first-serve sale that will last as long as the supplies do. 

Both items, the Systern Rain Barrel ($50 tax included) and Earth Machine bins ($40 tax included) can make a significant difference to homeowners interested in saving money, protecting the environment and improving their yards. 

The rain barrels have a 55-gallon capacity and include a lid that locks on and a protective screen to keep out mosquitoes. Using the barrels allow residents to collect run-off water they can use on lawns and gardens. 

An inch of rain falling on a 1,000-square-foot section of roof, for example, can produce up to 600 gallons of harvested water. 

“We are offering the Rain Barrel at a discounted price to encourage residents to collect and use rain water so that we can reduce the volume of water run off and provide conservation practices of reducing water pollution and soil erosion in our communities,” said John Homa, the City of Knoxville’s Solid Waste Project Manager. 

The Earth Machine compost bins are convenient, “no turning required” receptacles. The lid locks securely on top, and the compost is easily harvested though a sliding door at the bottom. The dimensions are 33 inches high and 33 inches in diameter, with a 10.5 cubic ft. capacity. The strong but light “recycled plastic” construction, and simple snap-together assembly, will ensure it fits into an automobile. 

“We are offering the Earth Machine at a discounted price to encourage residents to compost table scraps, grass and leaves so that we can reduce the volume of yard debris and trash that is picked up and taken to the landfill,” Homa said. He added that with the application of compost to gardens watering bills can be reduced by up to 30 percent and the need for chemical fertilizers is lessened. 

In addition to the City of Knoxville’s Public Service and Engineering Departments other sponsors and partners for the event include the Knox County Solid Waste Office and Knox County Storm Water Management; the Water Quality Forum; West Town Mall; Norseman Plastics; WBIR-TV and WJXB – B97.5 radio.