BACKYARD COMPOST PROGRAM
WE ARE FINISHED FOR THE 2024 SEASON, SIGN UP FOR THE WAIT LIST TO HEAR ABOUT THE PROGRAM IN 2025
Interested in composting at home but unsure where to start? We are here to help. Compost FBX is offering one free composter to any interested household in Fairbanks. All you have to do is a attend a short workshop to learn how to compost at home. Our staff will hand out the composters, provide hands-on instructions, and answer any questions you may have. Click the link below to join the waitlist for next summer. We will send out an email in the spring with the available composter options for you to choose from and workshop dates. Check out the information and photos from the past two summers to learn more.
BACKYARD COMPOSTING 2024
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2024 backyard composting program! We are so grateful for the community participation in this program and Fairbanks’ willingness to adopt home composting! We’ve distributed compost bins to over 100 households over the last two summers, saving hundreds of pounds of organic waste from entering the landfill.
CHECK OUT THE COMPOSTER OPTIONS WE OFFER!
Our personal favorite is the geobin. It’s easy to set up and move around as needed . The bin is adjustable so it can accomodate small households with low levels of organic waste or larger quantities. It has the largest capacity, holding up to 250 gallons of waste at its largest size, but is also the most compact to transport.
The geobin also has the most ventilation of all the options, which is really important when making compost. Microbes need a steady flow of oxygen to break down the waste in your pile. When they don’t get enough oxygen, your pile becomes “anaerobic” which can cause unwanted odors.
If you plan to be an “active composter,” turning your pile frequently with the goal of creating compost quickly and consistently this is the only choice for you. You can easily turn your pile by opening the bin, placing in next to your pile, and shoveling the pile into the bin in the new location. Turning the pile as needed speeds up the composting process. This is also the only bin large enough (3ft by 3ft) to get to the ideal temperature to make compost quickly. If you plan on adding anything with possible pathogens or seeds that need to be killed, this is the composter for you. If you plan to be a “passive composter” the geobin will work for your needs too!
Check out the full list to learn more about which option is best for your needs!
COMPOST SUPPORT
If you got a free composter through the Backyard Composting Program, we are always available to answer questions and help you troubleshoot. Fill out this contact form or send us an email and we will help make sure your compost in running smoothly. If you found you don’t use the composter as much as you’d hoped or want to return your composter for any reason, we’d happily take it back and give it to someone who can use it. Click the return button below and we will coordinate a pick up with you.
BACKYARD COMPOSTING 2023
The Backyard Composting Program started in May of 2023. We met an amazing group of people who were really motivated to learn how to divert their food waste and make an organic soil amendment at home. We filled every spot and were able to distribute free composting units to over 50 households throughout the summer. Participants attended one of three home composting workshops in Ester, AK to see small scale composting in action. Our instructor, Steve, detailed the basics of composting and shared helpful tips. Many folks even stayed a little longer to check out Steve’s garden and rad root cellar.
We could not have done it without the support of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District (FSWCD), our compost expert Steve, and those who attended the classes.
