My Trip To Composterpalooza

I finally made it out to Willow Lawn today to pick up my shiny, new Earth Machine at the city's planned discount composter sale. 

It was close to 2:00 pm by the time I managed to get out there and, given the weather conditions today,  I was definitely surprised at how friendly and cheerful everyone appeared. I'm assuming at least some of the workers had been out there since the event began at 9:00am.  The whole thing looked like it was running pretty smoothly.  I had to fill out a reciept with my name and address and indicate which items I was paying for, give the nice ladies the money and show my reciept to the guys unloading the truck, who then gave me my new toys.   Also available were compost turners for $15 and small, lidded bins for keeping kitchen scraps in for $7.  I've already got a plastic bucket but I was glad to get that turner.  The bin is all plastic and, as you can see, it comes apart and stacks inside of itself.  It was very light and easy to shove into my fairly small car.  I didn't need any help to get it loaded.

Despite the nasty conditions there was a steady flow of people driving or walking up to get in line for the Earth Machine deal.  The woman who helped me said they had a great turnout today.  That's good news.  A good response today will hopefully encourage the city to try more events like this (rain barrel, maybe?) in the future.   

Did any of you guys make it out to Willow Lawn today?  The weather was so lousy, it had to have kept some folks away.  I'll be waiting for tomorrow and some dryer weather before I put this thing together and give it a try.

Comments

[lynne marie]

I made it out around 11:30. Very happy with the experience.

Also, very happy that we didn't have as much wind as was predicted. My garden has great drainage, but 50 mph winds would have demolished most of it.

[Sue Cline]

We went right at 9am and there was a huge line - we waited about 30 minutes but overall it was fun and everyone was in a good mood.

[Juliellen]

I got there at 9am and stood in line, too. It started raining just as the line started moving. My bin is set up in my backyard with its first addition: a banana peel.

[Juliellen]

I got there at 9am and stood in line, too. It started raining just as the line started moving. My bin is set up in my backyard with its first addition: a banana peel.

[MJ]

I got there just after 9 and the line was really long. However, they were very efficient in their set up and the line was continuously moving. My counter top pail is almost full of brown and green and almost ready for the first dump :)

[erin]

Got there around 10-ish, when it had to have been raining the hardest, but I was in super company with a ton of other folks. We waited in line for about 25 minutes, and by the time we got home, I had to wring my clothes out- completely soaked! There was a great crowd, however, which made it all less painful. I'd love to see them come back with rain barrels!

[eric]

Got their a little before 9. Maybe 20pp all ready in line. By the time I left and was loading my car w/ 2 composters. The rain came and the line was pretty long. But the folks their were great. And thanks for posting the reminder about it.

[Seller]

We bought one and realized it didn't meet our covenants. Anyboidy want to buy ours at cost?
http://richmond.craigslist.org/grd/831481864.html

[David]

A neighbor and I arrived at 9:15 and we had composters in hand by 9:50. The people who ran the composter pick up were amazing! They were friendly, they were efficient, and they were helpful, all in the middle of a tropical storm.

The composter is up and has its first load of grass clippings. This makes my third and I'm so glad I purchased it.

Kudos to the City of Ricmond and especially to the people who made it possible.

[Tripp Fenderson]

To all the people who got there around 9am and waited in line:

You should have done what I did...send a family member to pick one up for you. No lines, no waiting. :)

Got it home and set it up in 5 minutes, making the original compost area MUCH more tidy than before.

http://tripp.fenderson.net/index.php/weblog/article/earth_machine/